Pot metal rechroming

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    Author Topic: Pot metal rechroming  (Read 6987 times)

    Offline MDMoparDude

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    Pot metal rechroming
    « on: February 01, 2011 - 09:33:01 PM »
    A buddy of mine is trying to find a good place to have this done.  Have any of you guys had this done?  Any suggestions for where to have it done?
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    Offline usraptr

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #1 on: February 02, 2011 - 12:52:15 PM »
    Where do you live?  I just had the chrome tail light accent pieces re-done for my '70 cuda.  Was very disappointed with the results.  Did not do anything for the minor pits that existed.  A friend said that they should have plated them in copper first before chroming.  Not sure how accurate this is, but if what you want  chromed has pitting, ask the shop first what, if anything, they can do about the pitting.  Good luck.   :2thumbs:
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    1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

    Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
    (Edited 8-1-17)

    "usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.

    Offline Jim

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #2 on: February 02, 2011 - 01:09:29 PM »
    There is a lot that goes into properly restoring plated parts, particularly pot metal. There is way more to it that giving it to a plater to dunk into a tank to strip and replate. Bottom line is that you get what you pay for.
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    -Jim
    "Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it. "

    Offline tommyg29

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #3 on: February 02, 2011 - 01:31:37 PM »
    when I saw pot metal the first thing I thought about was my 71 rear light trim. It has some pitting and what looks like corrosion.
    So, copper is what is melted onto it to fill any pits? Then its chromed?
    And is a chrome finish an original look?
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    72 Roadrunner 400-4 Auto-3.23 Gear-Black Cruiser
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    ...the lines on the road just look like dots!....

    Offline Lunchbox

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #4 on: February 02, 2011 - 08:05:27 PM »
    I had mine done at Pauls chrome http://www.paulschrome.com/ they did do a really good job but it was  :money:  I can't remember the price exactly but want to say it was around $800.

    As said by a previous poster you have to copper plate it several times, buffing between each plating to get it smooth. That is what ends up costing so much.

    Lunch
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    Offline MDMoparDude

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #5 on: February 03, 2011 - 08:07:34 AM »
    I live in Maryland, but he is willing to send it out anywhere.  He has heard how difficult it is, and wanted some references.  I am not sure how pitted it is.  Thank you for the info, I will pass along, but any more suggestions would be appreciated.
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    Offline Jim

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #6 on: February 03, 2011 - 01:23:42 PM »
    Piling on the copper is not the correct way to restore a part. Copper is just a buffer layer for adhesion and ductility. Pile on the copper and you end up with a part that weighs twice as much with distorted flat surfaces, characteristics washed out, and the original defect still apparent.

    On pot metal, the pits need to be ground out a filled, usually with silver solder I believe.

    Just like in bodywork, get everything as straight and smooth as possible before putting on primer-filler, in the case of plating, copper. That’s the best analogy I can give. Surface prep for plating is a lot like getting ready to paint a car black.

    Unfortunately, I used to work in OEM plating (dealing with plastic), but not the resto stuff, so I can't give any good references.
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    -Jim
    "Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it. "

    Offline jimynick

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #7 on: February 03, 2011 - 11:09:53 PM »
    My friend owns Cambridge Custom Chrome in Ontario and he does show quality re-chroming work. He tells me that they first grind/buff the piece to remove what they can and then they'll drill out the deep pits and copper plate the piece, then silver solder each pit full and file/sand them until they're smooth after which they'll heavy copper plate the piece, buff it to a show finish and then nickel plate it, buff it and then chrome it. He says that the chrome is more like a clear coat and that the majority of the finish you see is in the copper/nickel undercoats. Previous posters are right- it ain't cheap, but I've seen them fix stuff that I'd have heaved and it's fabulous. I don't mean to sound like a commercial, but you can call Brian and ask him yourself. He's fussy. Hope this helps. :2cents:
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    Offline Topcat

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #8 on: February 03, 2011 - 11:19:40 PM »
    Darn I wish I could find the article. I'll try to find it.

    It was in a Mopar Action.

    From what I recall, they actually spot welded the pits after being stripped. Then roloc sanded the part smooth going ever finer grits. Once the metal was back to looking normal, the plating process began.
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    Mike, Fremont, CA.

    Offline DocMel

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #9 on: February 04, 2011 - 11:58:51 AM »
    Pot metal  is VERY difficult to chrome.  Besides the pits and the very time consuming prep to get it to the point of where it is smooth enough the chrome, pot metal is very nature is very porous.

    Contaminants  like oil, wax, grease, etc gets in these pores and is VERY hard to get out.  If you dont, the chrome process will react to these contaminants, and bubble, etc

    I have a set of 71 Taillight bezels I needed chroming:  I had 2 shops try chroming them, and they just couldnt get the chrome to take.  All the other non pot metal did, but these 2 pieces  just couldnt

    I bought another repop set already chromed..........



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    Offline tommyg29

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #10 on: February 04, 2011 - 04:40:16 PM »
    wow,
    sounds a lot cheaper to just buy repops.
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    72 Roadrunner 400-4 Auto-3.23 Gear-Black Cruiser
    71 Cuda 440-6 Tribute-Limelight-A833 Close Ratio-4 Sp-Pistol Grip-Dana 3.54 Powr Lok-Rally Dash-Shaker (Sold)
    92 Dodge Stealth RT-Twin 15g Turbos-SAFC2 Tuned-Mystic Blue-5 Sp-AWD-Rear Wheel Steering-AutoX'r (Sold)
    12 Dodge Charger SXT Plus Blacktop Package-3.6L-8 Sp-Leather-Nav (the wife's)

    Multiple SRT's, Rams, Dakotas, Caravans and Neons

    ...the lines on the road just look like dots!....

    Offline RusTy/SE

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    Re: Pot metal rechroming
    « Reply #11 on: February 04, 2011 - 09:22:56 PM »
    Special T's Unlimited restored the three rear light bezels for me in 2008. Not only was the finish beautiful, but the (SEM Trim) black used on the outside edges was a near match for an unrestored set i have. :2thumbs:

    At $800 for all three, reproductions would have saved some $$, but I wanted to use original parts.

    http://special-ts.tripod.com/











    « Last Edit: February 04, 2011 - 09:31:03 PM by RusTy/SE »
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    Russ
    2001 Durango     1B4HS
    1970 Challenger  JS29U
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