Chrome plating

J

jjmoriset

Registered
OK, so I've seen some people posting info about trying to find someone to chrome plate some things for them including wheels. I've done some looking and found a company inCalifornia that has by far the best price I've seen. Go to [www.santaanaplating.com] and check them out. I am sending my directionals to be replated at the cost of $105 per wheel including stripping of the old chrome. They've been in business for over 40 years and have an excellent reputation from my research. They also chrome tons of other stuff at what seems to be reasonable prices. Their process involves seven layers, not the standard three layers. It also has a one year warranty against defect or workmanship. Check it out! :D
 
RE: Chrome plating

Let us know how they turn out. I'm definitely interested. By the way, what's the turnaround time?
 
RE: Chrome plating

2 WEEKS! I checked with 2 places here in Tucson, who said they outsource it to someone in California. Their price was $230 per wheel and at least 4 weeks turn around time.
 
RE: Chrome plating

Are there any "plain" wheels out there that are dirt cheap that I can use in the mean time? It's my only mode of transportation. I can live with the shame of ugly wheels for a couple of weeks.
 
RE: Chrome plating

Whaddya mean? Are you planning to chrome the ones on your car now and need some temps to put on? If so, and you have the time to do this, try one wheel at a time and use your spare. When one comes back, swap it out and put the spare there until all four are done. It's time consuming, but you'd have better luck that way instead of trying to hunt down a set that fits our bolt pattern. That's why so few people have changed their wheels, unless they have the money to do the custom wheels from limited vendors or hub swaps to get a more common bolt pattern.
 
RE: Chrome plating

That's eight weeks on the spare, and besides, it's too long to be waiting around. I'll go with some el-cheapos for a couple of weeks if I have to.
 
RE: Chrome plating

Well, like wacky said, those other wheels should fit. Check your local junkyard. You might be able to pick them up cheap there. But you'd also need to get some cheap tires with those, because our tires are 16" factory original size. The rest of those cars come in 15" if I'm not mistaken.
 
RE: Chrome plating

Hey Guys!

I saw a set of stock snowflakes in good condition go last week for $57 at that famous auction site.
 
RE: Chrome plating

Jason,
Buyer Beware – Anyone who can rechrome a set of directionals for $105ea is either doing an inferior job or likes to work for free. If you won’t mind the finish bubbling or peeling off within a year, and or wavy finishes then you should be OK with your plan. I have had various types of wheels rechromed over the years and to do Mark VIII directionals the right way the price range should be $225 to $275.
Your vendor states a 7 layer process. This sets of the BS detector!!!. I suspect this is nothing but a sales pitch for the uninformed ie.. blowing smoke, etc. Most national award winning show cars get triple plating. Its all that’s needed when done properly. Triple plating is not 3 layers of chrome. It is copper, nickel, then chrome. Higher end jobs get 2 coats of nickel which can provide more depth in some cases. I see Santa Ana claims to do this and I certainly can't say they don't. All I can say is the cost of this additional process typically is very high. They have to be cutting cost somewhere. Preparation of the surface accounts for much of the plating cost. The old finish must be completely removed or the rest of the processes will be suspect. An Aluminum part VS steel complicates the process. Removing the old finish on parts that have a lot of geometry is very time consuming and labor intensive. Go too fast and you gouge the surface causing waves in the finished product. Hope your wheels turn out OK, If they do, it would be an exception.
 
RE: Chrome plating

That's BS, that company has been around forever!!
I have used them before with a set of Weld Drag Lites, the chrome lasted over 5 years!!!
California is one serious hotbed for chroming, more so then anywhere else , mainly because of the EPA rules and regs.

Plus they have a warranty.
 
RE: Chrome plating

I understand completely what you're saying. That was the first question I asked them when I talked to them on the phone. I was blunt. I asked "How can you do this as much as 50% less than most people?" Their reply was that they do everything in house. They do thousands of wheels a month. They are a major dealer for this process in Southern Cal. As a matter of fact, I called two shops here in town that quoted me $230 a wheel and admitted they don't do the work. They outsource it to Santa Ana Plating. They charge that much because they have to make up the cost difference for the shipping. I went through a lengthy question/answer period with them on the phone. I felt convinced they were reputable. They're also listed with the BBB. The proof will be in the finish, though, when I get them back.
 
RE: Chrome plating


That's BS, that company has been around forever!!
I have used them before with a set of Weld Drag Lites, the chrome lasted over 5 years!!!
California is one serious hotbed for chroming, more so then anywhere else , mainly because of the EPA rules and regs.

Plus they have a warranty.
[/quote]

Good to know Geno. I was getting a little bummed. Also glad Jason checked them out beforehand. Besides, at this point, even if they started peeling in a year, mine would still probably look better than if I left them alone. Every time I wipe them down I have to be careful not to catch the towel on the sharp edge of a chip for fear of pulling off a chunk. I've seen much worse than mine, but it's only a matter of time before they're trashed. If it weren't for the fact that I spent a fortune on a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's a year ago, I'd go with 17's from Geno. Maybe when these tires wear out...

By the way, I hope these guys can do a better job getting chrome in the nooks and crannies than the OEM ones. The center hole is where all this crap starts, and I assume it's because there's little in the way of actual chrome in there. And the lugnut holes too. Mine are gold colored just inside the edges.
 
RE: Chrome plating

10 spokes. I had to get them powder coated. They're in process right now. I should have them back by the end of the week. If I can figure how to post pics I'll put some up once they're done.
 
RE: Chrome plating

Re-Chromes for 200+ a wheel....WOW....Ya like what ya like I guess...

Seems like alotta money to wrap up in stock wheels...But hey that is just my view...I suppose I would rather spend half that per wheel on some CobraR's or something...At least I would be enjoying a new look.

And yea...Triple Chroming ussually runs 100-120 per wheel if you find a reasonable place that will do it. That is with prepping included. I got that quote from a company in Southern Cal that does Dante Designs Wheels for them.

Brad
 
RE: Chrome plating

The last time I checked the Cobra R's drilled for our cars are around $1250 set without tires. Then you have to find 17" tires and mounting/balancing. Even at $125 per tire (modest) you're looking at $1700 for a set. I paid $350 for the wheels and was going to pay $580 for the chroming for all 4 wheels and $10 per wheel to change my tires over to the new wheels. So just around $1000 I get to keep the Lincoln look with a fresh appearance for my car. If you read the rest of the post, I don't want custom look to prevent the custom theft. Stock wheels are generally left alone.
 
RE: Chrome plating

Jason,
I was not taking a shot at your choice bro...Just voicing my take on it...BTW Chrome 17X9 CobraR's are $820 a set through me...I aint' tryin to sell anything in this thread, just for the sake of shootin the chit I guess...Tires can be had for less than 100bux a pop too....Regardless like I said before..Ya like what ya like...And you like the stock look...Fair enuf...Enjoy the look...

Brad
 
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