Re-chromer in Iowa area??

[villageidiot]

Hey guys.

Does anyone have someone local who they would recommend that provides a real good value for the $$$?? I know there are some of you in the WI area and I am in Dubuque so right on WI border. I figure while I am pulling parts off to refinish, etc., might as well send those off to get chromed.

My 51 has pretty much everything primered. Even the chrome pieces seem to be primered. I think (could be wrong from what I have seen in other posts) that my grill was chrome at one time as well as other parts. Also, were the bumpers chromed or painted?? I want this to be as close to original as possible.

Thanks.

[Dave72dt]

I believe there is a company right in Dubuque that straightens and rechromes bumpers that was reasonably priced compared to others. One in Madison, WI wanted about three times as much to do bumpers. Quality difference ?, can't say, as I haven't used either one. Any company looking for business in this economy may accept other parts for plating as well to bolster thier income.

[Norm's Coupe]

I don't know of any off hand in Western Wisconsin myself. I'm sure there are some though. Also, the Rockford, IL/Beloit area is full of all types of industries. Should be a good one there too. Run a search on google for "Chrome Plating, Rockford, IL". Even if they don't have a website, their name and phone number should come up on some site like the telephone book.

[Dave72dt]

Try Key City Plating on Kerper BLVD.

[villageidiot]

Dave,

Have you used Key City?? I know we have some in the area as well as in Rockford, Madison and others. What I am looking for is someone who had dealt with someone local, thought they did a good job and for a reasonable price. I have a call into some local restoration guys asking them the same thing but haven't heard back. If you have used Key City, what did you think of their work?

Thanks.

[Dave72dt]

Have never tried them. Doing research on sourcing, same as you.

[grey beard]

Mr. Village,

If you are concerned about originality as you mentioned in your post, your truck had NO chrome plating on it from the factory. Bumpers were all painted, any bright work on the grille bars was stainless, as were door handles and wiper arms. Some hub cap skins were chrome plated but many of fhese were also stanless. The 48 - 50 models had a lot of stainless on the grille shells, but I can't think of one place where chrome plating would come in handy on an original restoration - no, wait, yes I can - the hood ornament and the headlight rings were plated, but that's it. Go figure . . .

Good Luck plating:)

[villageidiot]

Mr. Greybeard...

Thank you. That's what I was wondering. Stainless could be a problem with everything painted over now so chroming may be an alternative. Appreciate the feedback.

[Merle Coggins]

Remind me again what year your truck is. As I remember from Don Bunns book, in 48 and 49 the light trucks (1/2 - 1 ton) had stainless grill bars as standard. With the change to the B2 trucks in 1950 the grill bars changed over to all steal, painted to match the body with a cream pinstripe along the lower edge. Then the only stainless at the front is the piece just under the front of the center hood piece.

Also the "DODGE" emblems on the hood side are chromed. I gave mine to a co-worker at our Eau Claire branch, because he was working on setting up a small scale chrome plating shop in his garage. He's had them for almost 2 years now and I haven't seen them. He also quit the company a while back, to move on to another job, so I thought they were lost forever. I recently tracked him down and he claims that he has them almost done. Only time will tell...

Merle

[grey beard]

I'm embarrassed to say that I paid $40 bukkx a piece for my Dodge hood badges and my headlight rims. For a vehicle with little chrome trim, this sure is a load to pay for trinket bright stuff.

Had my grillle mouldings redone by Dave Turner in Fresno - they're absolutely perfect - not even any marks on the inside. How can this guy do these things? The bottom moulding was smashed completely flat. The guy's a magician with stainless. Had him also clean up my five beauty rings for the wheels, as well.

Last goodie on my truck is my Montana hood ram ornament - flawless with absolutely no pits. Guess I'm gonna need to locktite that critter on, now that I've seen what they bring some places.

send my original hood ornament and two very pitted headlight rings to Paul's Chrome ship in western PA - got an estimate of $1000 to do those three pieces. Mebby they thought I wanted them gold plated, what? Go figure . . .

[villageidiot]

Ouch - $1000!! Yeah, I think they know something we don't know or think they do at least. Crazy!!

Stupid question. As my stainless is painted/primered over, I should be able to recover these back to the original state shouldn't I??

[villageidiot]

My truck is 51 3/4 ton Merle.

[Merle Coggins]

My truck is 51 3/4 ton Merle.

Well then... on a '51 the only stainless you'd have up front would be the "DODGE" name badge on the grill. The headlight rings and hood side "DODGE" emblems would be chromed pot metal.

There were a couple different versions of the center "Job Rated" badge, I think some were pot metal and some were stainless, but I think most were the pot metal ones painted a silver color. There was a thread about these a while back. Maybe a search will find that info.

Otherwise the previously parts can be had if you can't clean off the paint. The hood side "DODGE" emblems are reproduced and available at places like Roberts Motor Parts. The headlight rings are also reproduced, but there was also a post recently regarding using Jeep headlight rings as a direct replacement. These parts pop up frequently on Ebay, along with the grill name badge. I also may have a grill name badge for a '51/'52, but I can't commit to it's condition until I can dig it out and have another look at it.

Merle