Doing Pre-Chrome Prep Yourself??

[Bingster]

I have a rather large grille on my '47 Desoto and a quote from a Des Moine plater for about $2,000 to remove pits and plate. I was wondering if I might do the pit removal myself by sandblasting the grille and then sanding off remaining pit scars. Isn't this basically what they do?

Does sandblasting hurt a pot metal grille?

Couldn't I at least sanding off the pits to a smooth metal surface?

[Joe Flanagan]

I'd really like to know the answer to this myself because if it will make a difference in cost, I will do it.

[Norm's Coupe]

I doubt the plater would give you any money off on the prep. If he's a good plater, he's not going to want to warrant the part if you do the prep. He's going to want to make sure it's done properly. So.....he'll probably prep it again anyway.

That said. No matter who does the prep work. Grinding, sanding, and buffing is still going to remove some of the pot metal. Sand blasting may remove more because you then have to sand and buff to make the pot metal smooth again before plating. Pot metal is soft. So.........regardless of who does the work, the part is still going to be slightly smaller when replated.

[woodscavenger]

I recenlty talked to a plater and he uses a reverse electrolysis to remove old chrome. Less mechanical damage occurs.

[radioguy7]

I recenlty talked to a plater and he uses a reverse electrolysis to remove old chrome. Less mechanical damage occurs.

Yeah I was going to chime in, I don't think they use any kind of abrasive to remove the old plating when rechroming. I would think it would remove more material than needed to prep.

[Norm's Coupe]

I think you guys are right about removing the old chrome. Where the sanding, grinding and buffing comes is, is when the have to fill and smooth the part out before replating. At least that's what one plater told me when I checked into it several years ago, to justify his prices.

[PatS....]

I think sandblasting pot metal would destroy it instantly, and I doubt that's how they prep chrome for replating. The pit removal is a tedious process of grinding and filling over and over untill the pit disappears. It's something that requires some patience and alot of experience...hence the price.

As with any coating, prep is critical for a great finish and that would be moreso on chrome.

I'm not sure what you save would be worth not having perfect chrome in the end.

[JerseyHarold]

How about this.....

Sand down the pits, spray the part with 'Featherfill' or similar product to level everything off, and sand until smooth. Now here's the kicker: send the part to a Vacuum Metallizer (chrome plated plastic) and get it coated that way. Might be cheaper and would still look like chrome.