The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Buy vs. Restore

I have been looking through parts shops online and also been looking a plating chroming costs. So heres the question. Is it fiscally more feasible to restore what you have or buy new?
Example: Hubcaps run 20-30 each but the four that I have aren't in horrible shape they just need to be replated (i.e. not dented, pitted, etc). I have searched for this but I couldn't find anything that is this exact.

If yours just needs the "prep'ing" to be plated I would say get yours plated. If yours need much work then buy the repop chrome and sell yours to someone that may just strip and paint. I suspect your caps are a lot heavier than repops but if they need any work at all the repair plus plating will get in your hind pocket!!

I've never heard of a plater doing bit pieces as cheap as that. If you can find one, do it.

The repop caps to fit my 38 are simply new skins put on old caps. While I normally preach restoring over buying repops, I bought repops for my 38 because my originals were in tough shape & would have cost a fortune to straighten & rechrome. I'd be surprised if you could get yours rechromed for less than $100 each even with no straightening required. Repop caps for my 38 run $50-$100 each depending on where you shop.

Ok so I seemed to confuse you all. That was just an example. The actual question is this. For chrome or plated objects is it worth buying new or replating? Just in general. What items would you rechrome over buy etc.

I am starting to put together parts lists and am simply wondering what you would recomend. I know the small pieces are cheaper usual buying new but in general were is the cut off line between restoring over buying

in general .... it depends ....

rechroming previously chromed parts is more expensive [by far] than chroming previously painted parts, the chrome has to first be removed, which in itself can damage the shape of the part

some "new" [reproduction] chrome is low quality, no copper layer ... some chrome shops do poor quality work as well, regardless of price

some reproduction parts, chromed or not, are a poor fit

some parts just aren't reproduced

generally, check yer wallet and income, decide what you want the vehicle for

Bill