Door handle chrome plating

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

Mine looks fine after 15 years and 133k miles, so it seems some have problems and others don't. Might have been a surface prep problem before the chrome was applied.

[Fuchsaudio]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

Mine look okay. Driver side starting to peel, the passenger is good. Not sure if a replacement or a rechrome is wiser but not letting it bug me for now.

[Blkhwk]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

Maybe it's a "batch" issue. I have 2 '03 cars with no problem but the '04 is flaking on both door handles.

Maybe the handle sat in a humid environment before plating or something like that?

I've found this with some motorcycle parts from a supplier who switched "chromers" because he was having to replace "fork tube covers" that he sold for $1000 a pair, were coming back with "flaking chrome". The vendor was having to pay more for chrome, but had committed to a set price to the parts seller.

[JohnA]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

Mine look okay. Driver side starting to peel, the passenger is good. Not sure if a replacement or a rechrome is wiser but not letting it bug me for now.

Andy, my 2004 is same as yours. One of my spring projects is to follow up on a suggestion from a member here... I'm going to sand the raggy edge of the 'chrome', and then paint the edge with clear nail polish to hopefully help keep it from catching and peeling more. John A

[wcoates]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

From M&M Metalizing
Cost for vacuum metalizing (looks like chrome, not as durable or long lasting, not show quality) $55.00ea, and for triple plated, show quality chrome $325.00ea. Thank You, Mike

Danny used them for plating my center caps. Did not hold up well after two winters in Ohio (surprise) but Mike was upfront about that.

They are bad so I know I'll be reluctant to put them on the car so I tried a buzz-bomb can of Dupli-Color Chrome on two and a can of Rustoleum Bright Metallic on two. Said "bad" now "worse".

I have one chrome '04-'05 chrome cap and looking for three if any one has some sitting on the shelf. Reluctant to pay $86+ for new unless forced to soon.

[Chuck]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

I had a bunch of plastic stuff chrome plated by Paul's chrome. They did the shock tower covers, the coil covers, all the caps - brake fluid, oil, overflow, radiator, power steering, they also did the fuse box cover. Biggest pieces they did for me were my rocker panels. Unfortunately people weren't careful with it, the slightest bend and it cracks. Of course they blamed the "chromer" and it wound up costing them more in rework than it was worth so now they stick strictly to metal. Too bad because they really did a nice job on the stuff.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

I think it was Chuck who suggested Paul's to me. I sent them my shock tower covers only to have them returned undone. Like Chuck I've done some tiding up under the hood. So Chuck did you get a chrome dip stick? I had to modify a Mustang stick

[Fuchsaudio]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

Andy, my 2004 is same as yours. One of my spring projects is to follow up on a suggestion from a member here... I'm going to sand the raggy edge of the 'chrome', and then paint the edge with clear nail polish to hopefully help keep it from catching and peeling more. John A

I may try that. I did rechrome some plastic head light bezels for another card a few years ago from a place in Canada. They looked good for about five years and then started looking crummy again. Not sure if it's the process itself of the vendor.

I also need my windshield trim replaced or rechromed and it seems the cost of quality chrome may be less. A good chrome job (which I suspect the factory's wasn't) should last a long time. I have a local place I have used before in Newark NJ that's excellent. http://www.marapolishingandplating.com/

[007Cruiser]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

Thanks for posting that, Andy. Not exactly local to me but doable nonetheless. We have no one left around here.

[Brad]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

I may try that. I did rechrome some plastic head light bezels for another card a few years ago from a place in Canada. They looked good for about five years and then started looking crummy again. Not sure if it's the process itself of the vendor.
I also need my windshield trim replaced or rechromed and it seems the cost of quality chrome may be less. A good chrome job (which I suspect the factory's wasn't) should last a long time. I have a local place I have used before in Newark NJ that's excellent. http://www.marapolishingandplating.com/

Since the original ones are still available (right now) you will probably find that it is cheaper to buy another set verses the cost of re-chroming.

[StevenM]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

Using information from the TV program Power Nation, I wrote to Advance Plating, located in Nashville for a quote and chance the work could be done. With the photos from Dan on the first post to this thread, I sent them as much information as they requested.

Here is the response from them received today..."A ballpark price to chrome plate one of these handles is apx $125.00. A firm price can be given once we receive the parts for inspection. The turnaround time is apx 14-16 weeks."

So I guess it can be done at a cost in time and a few bucks. The dollar amount is within acceptability but the 3-4 months in time is consideration. For those wanting other parts chromed, at least now a source is available.

[Sierra977]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

Be nice if someone sent a couple pairs and offered them for resale to get around the time factor. PHIL?

[Guest]

Re: Door handle chrome plating

Hey Newman!

This a problematic situation for a few reasons:

1. removing and then re-attaching the handles to the rest of the assembly requires a special type of fastener. Not sure a simple nut and bolt would work, but maybe.

2. The preliminary estimate of $ 125 isn't out of the ballpark, but how much profit could be added to make it worthwhile for an outsource company?

3. The multiple shipping steps adds to the cost and handling required; from customer to outsourcer, outsourcer to plating company, back to outsourcer and finally back to end user/Thunderbird owner. All these steps require packaging, labeling and actual shipping costs.

4. 12-14 weeks is a pretty long turnaround time, especially if you're only doing a few sets at a time. There would be economies of scale doing say 20-50 at a time, but 20 sets of 2 handles times $ 250 a set is $ 5,000. Who wants to invest $ 5,000 up front to make a profit of maybe $ 20 a handle? You'd have to turn around 15-20 sets just to get the up-front investment back.

Not a very compelling case from a business standpoint.