When restoring vehicles
from certain periods, particularly from the 1950s, the amount
of chrome restoration can be overwhelming. As Dennis and Sam point
out, one approach may be the option of reproduction chrome bumpers
and parts that are certainly easier on the pocketbook, but that
won’t hold up as well as a good re-plating job. Dennis also takes
the time to reminds us that the rule of thumb for bright work
restoration is that, “you get what you pay for.” At Paul’s Chrome
Plating, of Evans City, Pennsylvania, there are varieties of show
quality re-chroming and re-plating services available, and today
Sam and Dennis will look at some examples of their work. Although
much of the time and effort in restoring your classic will go
toward the “mechanical” aspects of the vehicle, one of the most
difficult phases of restoration deals with the “bright work,”
that is the chrome and trim. Proper restoration of chrome and
gold plating can significantly enhance the appearance of your
classic whether it is for you alone, or if it is an attempt to
increase the chances of gaining points on the show circuit.
As this segment begins, we find Sam
and Dennis in the company of an immaculate 1956 Lincoln Premier.
This classic vehicle features unusual styling in bright work such
as a rear bumper with the exhaust ports housed within the bumper,
and a chrome and gold plated trunk ornament. The re-plating and
re-chroming of difficult to locate parts such as these is precisely
the type of work that the folks at Paul’s embrace.
Next, Sam shows us what is perhaps the
most stunning evidence of the restoration work that can be accomplished
by Paul’s. This classic before-and-after treatment using the grill
of a 1934 Ford is a showcase of the degree of repair that can
be attained on a piece of bright work that may have been considered
hopeless. On the left side, the grill is broken and rusted, while
on the right it has been restored and is without pitting or breaks.
The shine on this original piece is
brilliant and will last far longer than a reproduction part. Much
of the success in Paul’s Chrome Plating technique is attributed
to the “Triple Plating” process that they use. In the first layer,
a plating of copper is fitted to make other subsequent layers
“stick.” The next coating is of nickel, which serves as corrosion
protection and gives the metal its “luster.” Finally, the chrome
plating is applied which seals the nickel and prevents it from
tarnishing. Fred Hespenheide, President of Paul’s, has such confidence
in this process that the shop offers a “Lifetime” warranty on
their work. Also, as Sam points out during his examination of
the re-plating on a 1956 Ford hood ornament, one interesting note
from Paul’s is that 90% of the labor in re- chroming and re-plating
is in the last 10 % of the detail, and while OEM chrome parts
contain about 30 minutes worth of time and labor, Paul’s spends
approximately three hours on the same process. They also perform
parts restoration on stainless steel. So, if it needs to be re-plated
or re-chromed, look to Paul’s Chrome Plating, Inc., where custom
show plating is their only business. You can call them at 1-800-245-8679,
or you can seek them on the web at www.paulschrome.com
As always, when looking for information
concerning these and other automotive services, as well as locating
parts of all kinds, contact us at www.myclassiccar.com.
And when it comes to buying or selling anything automotive, look
for Hemming’s Motor News at your local bookstore, or on the web
at www.hemmings.com.
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