Chrome :
https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2...plating-by-2039

They can build a giant lithium processing plant near me, but I can't get my bumper chromed? And they are calling it "Lithium Valley"

Are you saying they should ban lithium processing or should any toxic emissions be allowed?

Just a price point for reference... I am getting a front bumper chromed- the estimated cost, $1,500. Now this is at the top chrome shop in the country and they guarantee it will be perfect with no ripples or waves. But still, that a bit of money. Oh, and it's a 5-6 month wait which I sort of expected and the reason I sourced another bumper to modify/chrome.

Be careful.....

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restore them while you can.
after that....its all plastics paint.

I thought someone started making stainless bumpers?

Rich

I seem to recall that either 914Rubber or Auto Atlanta were having repro bumpers made in Vietnam a while back.

I find it ironic that especially the early 914/4s had painted bumpers, but 914s in general have had very limited chrome unlike most other cars from the 70's from day one. Style points to my eyes. Not that I dont appreciate the look or durability of chrome....but it has been disppearing on cars since its heyday in the 60's and 914s were in the avant garde in this trend.

PS If you didnt already know most of the bright trim on our cars is not chrome but clear anodized polished aluminum.

Polished SS seems like a good option.

Seems like plating in general is getting harder to source. Last CAD platting bits I had done were sent off out of state. Local guy up North here retired. No one picked up his business. I remember having some 356 rechromed at his shop years back. Even then he said chrome was almost a money loser every time.

Mr. ClayPerrine, could you please explain why you are warning Mr. Shivers to "Be careful" of his comment? I detect nothing offensive in his rightful opinion.

Osnabruck914

I know many California resto shops have been sending plating out of state / out of country for quite a long time due to the regs here as well as costs. I remember being shocked at the cost for good quality rechroming even 20+ years ago!

The Stainless Bumpers are made by a company called Group Harrington,
They are a company based out of the U.K.
that has a factory in Vietnam which is where the bumpers are manufactured.

There are vendors in the U.S. that buy from Harrington and resell.

I just checked Harrington's Website and the price for a set of stainless
bumpers for a 914 is 1732.50 plus 123.75 for shipping.

I bought my bumpers direct from them a few years ago
and they shipped via DHL right to my door...

There are multiple threads about these bumpers.

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IIRC,theres a well known Chroming facility in Utah; and, was reported mohave a fast turn around ?

the article is interesting as it mentions transitioning to using trivalent chromium for plating rather than chromium 6.

this is already happening with bathroom fixtures (taps, towel rails etc) in australia.
its a different color. not as bright or shiny. basically they start a new fashion trend and that gets everybody wanting that product. and quietly phase out the traditional chromium fittings as they become obsolete. we haven't seen true chrome on cars down here for what..........40 years at least. its only been relevant to contemporary manufacturing when you consider bathroom fittings and to be honest, thats about to be done and dusted?

sadly for car enthusiasts i feel its an industry that will close. ie traditional old school chromium 6 plating. that appears to be the real trouble area.

i must admit i have always like the 914 with either the body painted bumpers or later black painted bumpers over the chrome. i thought it was a bit ahead of its time with the unchrome bumper look. but thats a personal opinion of taste.

A couple of years ago I paid $1000 for chrome plating my front and rear bumpers, including a bit of repair work. The results were great, not concours but more than nice enough for a driver.

What does the large face with fingers pointing means? Help me out here.. Did you as a Moderator just threaten them?
@admins
Matt

Yep,
No need to get political.

We are gradually all becoming that crusty old guy, that complains about just about everything.

Ogden Chrome

It is a warning that they are headed in the direction of political commentary. Rather than close the thread, I chose to give them a warning. The icon is giving the "I'm watching you" gesture.

There was a recent thread here on chrome wrapping. I see no reason that wrapping is not a suitable substitute

Yes true hex chrome plating is a tough proposition in todays environmental regs. Tri chrome is indeed a different bluish color

The old standard was copper/nickel/chrome. Copper was the first to go (cost and cyanide based process). Most of the coating is nickel followed by a “flash” of chrome.

Wonder how the production of chrome wraps compares environmentally to chrome plating??

I had this 1960s Lucite lamp that was done in polished brass finish and when I restored it I thought of replating it and decided to try a wrap in rose gold finish. Close enough for a study to see how chrome would look. The finish on the metal part was 60 years old and I did not polish it just put the high quality 3/M film on it. You can see how a bumper would look. Not as good as a perfect polished re-chrome but not bad from a few feet away. On small areas like the frame it really does not matter but you have to look at the large area of the lamp base. This is now 6 years old.

Bob B
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