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The state of chrome plating - 2025

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Eliteman76 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Eliteman76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: The state of chrome plating - 2025
    Posted: 12-March-2025 at 11:15AM
So I was looking up a chrome plater that was really exceptional at repairing and chrome plating pot metal pieces, Paul's Chrome out in Tennessee. Evidently they went under at the start of 2024, thanks EPA!
I have some 1972 head light bezels that have the typical pitting issues or minor cracking but restorable pieces, so I decided to go adventuring on the ole interwebs and I was looking for alternatives for references for our stuff as trim and bumpers...good chrome is getting hard to find these days thanks to the EPA's hard push domestically against industrial metal plating companies.

I was scouring the web based on other automotive forums and while I cannot vouch for personal experience, I felt we needed to get this discussion going because chroming comes up pretty regularly.

If you have good or bad experience with any companies, please post up.
Please add any suggestions you have used.

Google search suggestion key words: Automotive chrome plating services


Librandi's ---- "excellent quality"  https://www.carchrome.com/
Custom Metal Finishing in Cambridge Indiana
Cambridge Metal (unsure but mentioned a few times)
Custom Chrome in Grafton Ohio "does excellent work. Turn time is about 3 months."
"Custom Chrome plating can't give estimate over the phone, must ship the parts there first for estimate."

Badger Plating located just south of Milwaukee. They have been in business for over 50 years, did a great job and at a reasonable price. The bumpers still look great.

There is a link on their website to request a price quote.

Badger Industries - Badger Industries (badgerindustriesinc.com)

Houston area, Speed and Sport chrome. 
"Better bring your check book. Quick turn around though."

Sherm's Custom Plating in Sacramento does excellent work.
https://www.shermsplating.com/

Ogden Chrome in Utah

Recently used this place for chrome and stainless polishing. Fixed small dents in front bumper, invisible once done. Not cheap and long lead time but excellent work.
http://www.chromeplatingin.com/Corvette-Prices.html
A sample of what they do.
http://www.chromeplatingin.com/testimonials.html

Brillion, WI, Custom Plating Specialist, Inc.

Librandi Chrome plating in Middletown PA (near Harrisburg airport)







The shop I originally used, Sioux Plating in South Sioux City, Nebraska wound up closing and screwing over a lot of people...owner decided he didn't need to pay taxes and then decided to sell off people's parts sent in for chrome...I was one of the lucky ones when I did my bumpers back in 2010-2011 with the place!

Anyways...read is below but here is a few places that popped up. 


OMAHA, Neb. (KCAU) – A Siouxland businessman has entered a plea agreement after being indicted on tax evasion charges.

Thomas Miller pleaded guilty to evasion of the assessment of tax for 2014.

Miller worked for his family’s business of Sioux Plating Company in South Sioux City and owned part of it. Court documents said that he hasn’t filed a federal income tax return from 2004 through 2014. For 2013 and 2014 taxes, documents state that he took steps to further evade income taxes by having wage payments as “vendor payments.” In 2013, Miller cashed 58 paychecks from Sioux Plating Company for $47,883.81 and another 43 paychecks for $34,898.37 in 2014, not reporting the wages to the IRS.

Additionally, as part of Sioux Plating Company assets being sold in 2013, Miller received $50,000, issuing a $9,200 check to the Union County Treasurer in South Dakota and taking the rest in cash. Miller then received $605,977.32 in 2014 as part of the final settlement of the sale for Sioux Plating Company.

Court documents said that Miller used the money to make multiple bank transactions get cashier’s checks, buy cars, and to make a payment on a credit card, purposely trying to conceal his proceeds from the IRS. Overall, the IRS said that Miller owed a total of $143,456.

Miller faces a sentence of five years in prison, a $100,000 fine, restitution, and supervised release. As part of the plea agreement, the prosecutors are recommending that Miller received a lesser sentence. 



Additional side notes during researching:
Most of the forum members on V8Buick.com can't keep a thread on topic at all and remind me why we keep all politics out of discussions here. Grouchy dudes...sounds like your average Buick owner LOL

Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed Restomod
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72 RS 351 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72 RS 351 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-March-2025 at 12:48PM
Thanks for starting this thread Andrew. I support any conversations about chroming parts, and help to find good choices. I've shopped around a few times over the years for bumper chroming. Ages ago the prices were reasonable, in the mid 80's I recall a bumper being under $200 with repairing. Now I think it's well over $1k, I think the last low price I remember was near $900 for basic chroming.

I know I'm going to need at least two bumpers redone, plus my 72 headlight bezels too. I cringe at the thought of chroming anything, those are just the obvious parts I will need done. I expect to need repairs done for both of my bumpers, so I'd like to find out what metal work can be done before chroming. I want the sharp edges rounded off fully, some holes and slots filled, including the 72's huge hood release slot.
Don
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote aquartlow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-March-2025 at 8:24AM
FWIW, I used Space Coast Chrome in Melbourne,Fl for my front bumper, bumper guards and rear tail light bezels on my Ranchero, not cheap @ $1200.00 but they still look like new 15 years later and all of these items were in at least good, driver quality condition when I took them in. I need to redo my "Bumper Boyz" rear bumper, I guess I'll have to get ready for some sticker shock.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote newmexguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24-March-2025 at 4:22AM
Originally posted by 72 RS 351 72 RS 351 wrote:

Thanks for starting this thread Andrew. I support any conversations about chroming parts, and help to find good choices. I've shopped around a few times over the years for bumper chroming. Ages ago the prices were reasonable, in the mid 80's I recall a bumper being under $200 with repairing. Now I think it's well over $1k, I think the last low price I remember was near $900 for basic chroming.

I know I'm going to need at least two bumpers redone, plus my 72 headlight bezels too. I cringe at the thought of chroming anything, those are just the obvious parts I will need done. I expect to need repairs done for both of my bumpers, so I'd like to find out what metal work can be done before chroming. I want the sharp edges rounded off fully, some holes and slots filled, including the 72's huge hood release slot.

Look up "El Paso Electroplating" Hawkins Blvd, El Paso TX.   They did a '71-'72 Chevelle rear bumper for myself 18-24 months ago for $425. A friend here has spent thousands with them, with multiple restorations, and swears by their work. From what he's told me, over half of their work now is shipped in, and out, as opposed to local carry in requests.    Yep shipping is also now outrageous, it has essentially killed my small parts business, but perhaps there is a work around with individuals who can ship through a brick and mortar Business. Might also be worthwhile for individuals within a day's drive away (DFW, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Tucson, Denver) to haul stuff directly to them, as opposed to shipping.      
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