Has anyone any inspiration/recommendations as to whom I might approach to get my cobra hooped rollbar chromed? I live near Manchester airport so somewhere in the North West (ish) would be easier.

Dont go to Custom Chrome in Rotherham... right 'back street' merchants they are!!!

'Goldrite' in Sheffield are one of the best in the country (allegedly!) and seeing some of their work I could vouch for it too - but they aren't cheap.

send 'ayoungman' a U2U he seems to be the king of Bling at the moment



closely followed by Mr 'dazzle rims' Allinson!

Not quite north west, but some time ago I had some chrome work done at Castleford Chrome Platers (or something similar) and was very impressed with the results. They are in Castleford (surprise surprise!).

Thanks for the info. As it happens I'm trying a place in Crewe - a couple of people recommended them:
Niphos Metal Finishing Company Ltd
01270 214081

I'll post an update as to how I get on. Whilst I was there I had a look at some very tasty nickel and zinc finishes - really cheap and looks great.

I also found a good powder coating place:

www.gspowdercoating.supanet.com

Theres a place in Darwin Lanc's. Will post Tel No.
Monday when back at work.

[Edited on 1/4/05 by welderman]

Well the powder coating was outstanding - definitely recommended.

As for the chrome plating, hmm. Well initiaslly I thought all was fine, but you don;t have to look too closely to see that it's not upto scratch (and I waited >4 weeks!) - it cost a fortune too! So I wouldn't recommend Niphos for chrome plating but they seem to do some amazing things with nickel plate though and that is cheap.

I think I'll powdercoat/nickel plate everything in future - no more chroming for me.

Just like painting a good chrome finish requires good preparation of the base material. Also it is difficult to get a good finish in hard to reach areas with chrome. If I did my car again I would powder coat everything, less polishing.

Mike

Graham, if the chrome finish is really that bad, then take it back. You shouldn't be expected to pay a fortune for a crap chrome finish. The finish we got on our front wishbones initially wasn't up to standard. We took them back and the guy said "surely its good enough for underneath the car......" Once we explained that they are highly visible, he was very apologetic and offered to re-chrome them FOC. The finish is now much better but we won't be using them again.

Kick up a fuss and tell em you'll make it public knowledge on this forum that they're crap. It might not have any effect but you've got nothing to lose...........

To be honest, after waiting 4 weeks or so to get them chromed I'm just grateful to walk away from them. I've put the hoops on the car and they don't look too bad - I've put it down to experience, some lessons you just learn the hard way...I'm sure it won't be the last!

Arbroath electroplater are Crap - Opps C**P.

Took week to chrome the roll bar and it's finish was pitted, Boy stripped it and "polished" it to get a better finish. Well that what he said.

Chrome plating does need polishing once its been removed from the tank. Thats why it is expensive. You are paying for a guy to stand there polishing a componant for a couple of hours. Each part is vertually hand finished. High volume plating uses a different process and has a much thinner coating that does not need to be hand polished. BUT.........it does not last as long.

we used to do plating where i worked at 23 years ago. it was used to build up thickness on parts that had been machined under size. It was a very dull and coarse finish but highly polished after grinding,

that's hard chrome plating omega.

We do it here at work, plating mandrels for the steel tube cold reducing process.

Does polish up given some elbow grease and is VERY tough!