Chrome pricing reality check

[sadil340]

It's been 15 years since I've restored a car and it looks like chrome prices have increased! I need feedback from this board as to whether I'm getting ripped off or not. I brought the chrome from my '70 Cuda restoration project to Nu Chrome in Fall River MA which I used last time. They triple plate and do great work. Tell me what you think of their prices:

Front bumper - $350
Stainless cowl moulding polishing - $325 (they charge $40 per foot)
Windshield and back window stainless polishing - $620
Door/quarter top aluminum trim polishing and re-anodizing - $325
Rebuild and re-anodize rough wheel arch mouldings - $500
2 exhaust tips - $200
2 bumper guards - $130
2 side mirrors - $300
mirror adjust knob $5
2 taillight bezels - $300

Total bill = $3223

BTW - for those waiting to see my youtube video of the first firing of the 340 - Board member Moper is coming over this afternoon with his test stand to get the engine fired up. Video should be posted shortly!

[422STROKER]

I think that Nu Chrome has been discussed here before with mixed results.  I had them give a quote on some stuff and it just seemed too much $$.  Tri city plating is supposed to be pretty reasonable and a good product.  You could try buffing yourself on a spare moulding.  I got mine pretty nice in an afternoon.  All I got is a 1/2hp bench grinder with a buffing wheel on it.

Tell Dave(Moper) I said Hi, He did my 422 for me!  

Tom

[sadil340]

Thanks for the feedback Tom, I'll pass your greetings along. I did buff out my stainless tail panel trim with great results, and only brought the glass mouldings in because it's right at the sightlines. Your suggestion is a good one, I have some spare mouldings and I'll give it a try.

Anyone else?

[422STROKER]

I would have brought thwem in too if I had that car it is sweet! LOL   Someday I might get a 70   Good luck with your fire up today, Dave will steer you right.

Tom  Good luck with your project maybe i'll see it this summer.

[AprilsPink72Cuda]

WOw, that is pretty pricey, I would try to buff out what ya can on the smaller trim pieces.  I haven't had anything rechromed in a long time either, so I don't know what going rate is either.

[73Chally]

That seems like a big time rip-off.  I paid $400 a couple months ago for front and rear bumpers (including welding up 2 holes in each bumper) and a set of rear bumper guards.  Unfortunately I'm in Dallas, and you'll pay a fortune to ship anywhere, and you can't inspect before paying.  I would probably take only what I could not do myself, like the bumpers, guards, and tips, and just bite the bullet.  Either that, or try some other shops.  I would think there would be some in Providence or outside Boston.

[n9671x2]

Window stainless polishing seems REALLY high to me.

[craigsmytcudas]

your quote is about right for show work .but chally is on the money .my stainless with out major dents is 50.00 per stick and higher on larger parts thats about 500.00 for front back and roof rails .or 50.00 per hr, if you do your own remember it can be deadly leather gloves  and heavy jacket helps. i worked in a shop many years ago and another employee cut his throat on a kick back and i lost an inch of a finger on my second car play safe

[moparclown]

It seems high priced but if you start cleaning and polishing,you will see it takes some serious time and money.Price out some of the materials?Sand paper-400,600,800,1000,1200,1500 and 2000 grit paper,white rouge and a few buffing wheels.Now add in your time and the risk factor of wrecking a few pieces or getting hurt doing it.That little scratch may take some serious time to work out of that windshield trim?trust me I know I have been working on some trim this weekend and I have been trying to get one scratch out of my lower trim that was from the wiper arm,and I have a few hours into just that.
                                                            The Clown
These were for a friends 55 chevy and it took over 5 hours just to work all the scratches out and polish and then repaint the small black inlays.Whats your time worth?
 

[bb71challenger]

I found out it is not going to be a simple matter to polish my trim also. Taking out small scratches might seem easy but  unless I am just going to give my trim a bright polish I am in for some serious work. Its not like polishing gold, silver or even the tough as steel platinum 

[VTMopar]

Clown:   

You do great work.....    If you happen to have an "extra" --  nice, refurbished lower windshield stainless trim for a '70 challenger that you'd like to part with, please let me know!   

Vermont MOPAR

[djr71]

We have not really had great luck with Nu-Chrome. We have been getting our from Bumper Boyz for our 48,48,52 Buicks, and 55 Plymouth and we have had great luck with them so far.

[geneo4116]

i have a70 challenger rt i live in wisconsin, my chrome shop asked me 900.00 to chrome ftr and rear bumpers, so i bought aftermarkets for 600.00 for the pair, they fit great from stephens perfromance, and about half the weight, but not original 

[moparclown]

Vermont
I just started working on the 4 that I have,but am not sure which style is for a 70?Maybe someone can chime in and tell me what years the 3 different styles go to?

[VTMopar]

Clown:   

I assume you are referring to the elongated holes (bottom two in your pic)  vs. the circular one.....     My '74 Challenger is original and has the elongated holes....    My new '70 -- well that's what I need!   So -- I'm guessing its the circular one..... but hopefully someone who knows for sure will chime in here....

Thanks
Vermont MOPAR