Rechroming !!

[B8WLY]

I am not sure if it’s just me, but is the price of Rechroming going crazy.

I took my front bumper in this week. A couple of weeks ago the company told me £300.00.

I dropped it off this week and prices had gone up to £350 plus VAT.

A complete bloody rip off in my opinion.

Is this the going rate across the country or is living in the south more expensive. Is there also another alternative ??

Cheers.

Richard.

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

Price of copper has gone up and I think £330 + vat is a good price for re-chroming a front bumper.

I paid £1200 a few years ago for front and back but it was carried out the London Chrome Company in the Old Kent Road, but they do a lot of high-end classic cars.

Malcolm

[new to this]

You could see if they sell stainless steel bumpers ?

Dave

[Carledo]

Yes it's a rip off!

Yes London is even more expensive!

TBF, prices for everything are going up, largely, I don't blame chrome platers, their materials are very expensive and the job is a dangerous and smelly be-atch, constanly around toxic chemicals and gases. even complying with H+S rules is expensive! I wouldn't want the job!

Nor do I think £350+ a particularly high price, I was paying that for Spitfire III bumpers (each) 30 years ago in High Wycombe.

Steve

[cleverusername]

To be fair, from my understand, rechroming is a bit more involved than dump it in a couple of chemical baths and you're done. The chrome tends to come off in the first place because of corrosion and all that has to be fixed before you can chrome it.

Removing rust and then getting a workable surface is not easy and is therefore an expensive job.

[matt of the vivas]

That's a very fair price.
I'd not complain at that, if the job was good.

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

To be fair, from my understand, rechroming is a bit more involved than dump it in a couple of chemical baths and you're done. The chrome tends to come off in the first place because of corrosion and all that has to be fixed before you can chrome it.

Removing rust and then getting a workable surface is not easy and is therefore an expensive job.

Indeed, I was told that the chrome needs to be removed through reverse electrolysis. then, rust removed, repaired, copper plate, nickel plate, chrome plate, polish.
polishing may take place between plating to achieve a super finish.

M

[GinettaG15]

chroming in any western-european county has become quite expensive due to our famous green-ideologies and the restrictions for the industry.

this said. why not search a company in Poland for example?

[B8WLY]

I guess that answers my question guys !!

Although expensive on the face of it, it should give the bumper another 10 years of pristine life.

Small price to pay to keep the car in top condition.

Thanks for the input.

[Manta]

I had mine done at Chromefix, pleased with the results and price, they are in Birmingham.

[TomWard]

Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+) itself is fine, but the process of applying i is quite nasty, as a result insurance is going up, and.....
Trivalent Chromium (Cr3+) is the replacement and is safer to apply, but few offer it as it means setting up a new line (£££). Its also not quite the same colour as Cr6+, a little yellower. in time Cr3+ will look the same but someone's got to spend time and money on improving the process.

also1
Demand for chroming in general is going down, ergo price goes up.
also2
Labour rates, other material prices rising, someone's got to pay for 2 years off work and the doubling of the money supply all take their toll

[xvivalve]

Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+) itself is fine, but the process of applying i is quite nasty, as a result insurance is going up, and.....
Trivalent Chromium (Cr3+) is the replacement and is safer to apply, but few offer it as it means setting up a new line (£££). Its also not quite the same colour as Cr6+, a little yellower. in time Cr3+ will look the same but someone's got to spend time and money on improving the process.

also1
Demand for chroming in general is going down, ergo price goes up.
also2
Labour rates, other material prices rising, someone's got to pay for 2 years off work and the doubling of the money supply all take their toll

...and it is an energy intensive process, so don't forget the artificial rise in energy costs to help justify all of the 'green' improvements!

[B8WLY]

I actually picked the bumper up just before Christmas.

The finish is absolutely stunning. With VAT £430.00

Expensive when compared to having four wheels refurbed, but it is what it is.