easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

[Brandon T.]

I have contacted a place thats supposed to do quality work. I emailed them and asked if they could "flash" chrome my valve covers on my 68 corvette. They replied they could bypass the copper and nickel part....would that make it flash chrome?

I just want my original covers and lid to appear like the original finish jsut refreshed. I have all my original chrome pieces so why not make them look correct right? instead of the triple plating..

I just want to be sure they know what exactly I'm trying to acheive.

they wanted $120 a piece to triple plate and $110 to bypass the copper and nickel part.

thanks!

[Terry M.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

That's it, but you must question them about how they intend to remove the existing chrome. If they intend to grind it off, they will alter the surface texture of the covers and the result will be unlike the factory. When I had some of my ignition shielding done the shop removed the original plating by reversing the electro-plating process. No polishing of the base metal. I was happy and so were they.

[Brandon T.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

These guys are called "bumper boyz"

I'm not sure on how they usually do it..I'll sure ask!

btw anyone ever heard of them are they a chain or just local, I'll check into them more and talk with them on the phone before I send my stuff.

[Bruce B.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

I believe they are located in L.A. and they do most of the big Corvette shows.
There work is ok. They bring lots of Corvette bumpers to Bloomington, Carlisle and other shows. When buying at shows each part needs to be inspected before buying.

[Brandon T.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

yea I looked on their site they're in LA.

I'm in SC..I'm wondering should I stick to a closer place instead of shipping all my originals across the US.

I don't feel too good about doing that to be honest.

However, I don't know of a place near by.

[Jean C.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

Like Terry, I had a portion of the ignition shielding flash chromed. The owner of the shop was not crazy about doing it, said it would not last. Perhaps I was their guinea pig, but I was not overly impressed with the finished result. They must have used the reverse planting process to remove the old material for the pieces were not scratched or marred. Perhaps they did not clean the pieces sufficiently or whatever, but it is not the same quality as the GM installed flash chrome parts. The same shop did good work on my center console ('64) and bumpers. Maybe I should have the iginition covers re-chromed....nah, just gonna drive it from now on.

Best regards,

[Chuck G.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

I believe that many shops don't want to do flash chrome because of the poor quality of the finish. Many restorers don't know what flash chrome looks like, and are disappointed with the results. Because of that, shops end up re-doing the parts when the customer isn't satisfied.

I had the valve covers from my 69 BB flash chromed by Librandi's. Todd doesn't like to do it, unless he knows you, and knows that "you know" what flash chrome is.

I was very pleased with the flash chrome results from Librandi's. BUT, if you call him, you'll probably have to twist his arm to do it for you.

Chuck

[Steven B.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

Paul's Chrome Plating does restoration flash and does not grind to remove.

[Troy P.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

I think you are better off dealing with a local plater. One that you can visit, talk to and develop a relationship with. You'll both have a better understanding of the deal and expectations. It's very beneficial to go to the shop and pick up and inspect the finished parts while you are there. If there are defects you can show them and leave those parts behind for rework without having paid for them. That way they clearly see what your issue is and know what they need to fix and you still maintain leverage by not having paid for work that wasn't done right. Not only that you don't have shipping costs both ways.

I think it worth while to go out of your area if you need special work such as pot metal repair before plating.

Always make a good inventory of what you turn in and get a signed receipt for those parts. I had one part lost early in my restoration career.

My 2 cents worth.

[Patrick T.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

I believe that many shops don't want to do flash chrome because of the poor quality of the finish. Many restorers don't know what flash chrome looks like, and are disappointed with the results. Because of that, shops end up re-doing the parts when the customer isn't satisfied.

I had the valve covers from my 69 BB flash chromed by Librandi's. Todd doesn't like to do it, unless he knows you, and knows that "you know" what flash chrome is.

I was very pleased with the flash chrome results from Librandi's. BUT, if you call him, you'll probably have to twist his arm to do it for you.

Chuck

I called Todd Librandi to do the flashchome on my ignition shielding on your recommendation but he wouldn't do it. He said he wasn't making up a whole batch of flash chrome just to do one set. PT

[Michael G.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?


Mike

[Chuck G.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

I called Todd Librandi to do the flashchome on my ignition shielding on your recommendation but he wouldn't do it. He said he wasn't making up a whole batch of flash chrome just to do one set. PT

Mixing up a batch of flash chrome? Wonder what that was about.

Chrome plate is chrome plate, whether you put in on over copper and nickel, or whether you put in on bare steel.

Chuck

[Terry M.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

Chuck,
Someplace I recall hearing that there are two types of chrome plate. Trivalent (sp?) is one of the terms. What I don't know is if both types are decorative, or one is decorative and the other "hard chrome" plate which is used to protect a part from wear. I suppose I could try to look it up on-line, but my interest level is low at this time.

I am with you in that I thought what we are calling flash chrome, another term is smack chrome, was simply the elimination of two plating steps. Perhaps as Troy points out, this is simply a communication issue. On the other hand, I wouldn't presume to tell a plater how to do his business. And one certainly will not win by trying to force someone to do what they don't want to do.

[Steven B.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

Chuck,
Someplace I recall hearing that there are two types of chrome plate. Trivalent (sp?) is one of the terms. What I don't know is if both types are decorative, or one is decorative and the other "hard chrome" plate which is used to protect a part from wear. I suppose I could try to look it up on-line, but my interest level is low at this time.

I am with you in that I thought what we are calling flash chrome, another term is smack chrome, was simply the elimination of two plating steps. Perhaps as Troy points out, this is simply a communication issue. On the other hand, I wouldn't presume to tell a plater how to do his business. And one certainly will not win by trying to force someone to do what they don't want to do.

Terry, you are on the right track. When I worked in mfg. we had two types; 1.) Decorative which we are familiar with for bright trim including automotive use (there are different levels of decorative) and 2.) Hard, which we also callled engineered or industrial that was a thick application for the prevention of wear. In our specific use we coated molds for disc and drum brake linings.

Steve

[Bruce B.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

The 2 types of chrome are trivalent and hexavelent.
The hexavalent is the better of the 2 from a hardness and appearance standpoint. It stands up much better in demanding applications then the trivalent type.
The trivalent is less durable and on some parts like bumpers it can get dull in a short period of time.
The hexavalent is more environmentally unfriendly and is constantly under fire by the health and safety and environmental groups.