The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Chroming Costs

I just got a quote on chroming the top grill section of a 1941 Chevy PU...the piece is in good shape with no dents...they wanted $600. I was flabergasted...is that what chroming is going for these days. This outfit was in NJ...any other suggestions. thanks

Yes. I have one. For $25 more, you can get a brand new reproduction full grill for 41-46 from Jim Carter. I know, because I purchased one from them in mid August. Looks incredible. Also, I know a guy in Arkansas with a new reproduction top grill for sale. His email is steveandmitzi@yahoo.com and he's asking $100. Unless you just want to go original, there are some choices. Good luck.

Steve: That's seem way too much for just the top section. I had both upper and lower section chromed on my 46 for around $550, and they even had to do some repairs on the bottom section. NJ may be higher than CA but that seems excessive to me.

George

I understand that chroming costs have skyrocketed in the past couple of years. In 2003 I had the front grill, bumper and headlight surrounds chromed on my 59 GMC and it cost me $795 CDN.

All pieces were in fairly good condition.

I realize it's not the same but I just had my 52' grill worked and chromed for $300. It turned out awesome.

Chroming prices have skyrocketed due to EPA regulations. The quality has also dropped, due to the same regs, not allowing the old processes to be used. If you find someone willing to do the work cheap, avoid them like the plague. For more info go to the greasy spoon and search for Rodney Baker threads.

$600 for the TOP grill part?

Thats insane.

Steveg,

I recently sold a 41 grille for a friend and I remember them being all polished stainless. The one I sold had been on a truck abandoned in the woods for 60 years...most of the truck had long since rusted away but the stainless grille was still beautiful.

Stuart

I had my '45 grill repaired and rechromed for 450.00, and it came out beautiful. Stick with an original grill, you won't regret it.

atomarc...are you sure the piece was stainless? Thanks, everyone for the excellent feedback

Chrome is wonderful but considering the cost I've learned to really love white powder coat.

steveg,

1941 is not my forte (is anything?), so I went to the gallery and looked at pictures of '41's and it is the same as the grille I sold. The grille was found on the remains of a truck near Klamath Falls Oregon and had absolutely no rust on it, so I assumed it was stainless. Now you have me thinking..a chrome grille would have certainly rusted after all those years in the wild wouldn't it? My E-bay posting for the sale is still there, but no longer accessible.


Stuart

you might get a deal on one near houston Tx

The chrome on my '46 1/2 ton lower grill is all flaking off.. you can actually peel it off in chunks.

The grill itself tho, other than surface rust, is pretty straight and dent free.

Can you just get those stainless steel plated? Is that significantly cheaper than chrome plating?

We have done several 41-46 pickups at our shop and also had several parts trucks for these projects. I think they had BOTH stainless and plated grills, probably from differant suppliers or at differant assembly plants. This is not uncommon for GM, remember the one piece or three piece bumpers for the 55 car or the welded or smooth frames for the 55-57 cars. Both plated and stainless grills were from what I'm sure were original trucks.

I earlier made reference to a stainless grille I sold for a friend. It came off a 41-46 truck. I called him today, we chatted, and came to the mutual conclusion that the grille was actually chrome plated as it had very minor flaking where the bars roll over on the back. The finish was very bright and shiny..he felt even polished stainless wouldn't be that bright.


Stuart

IN Canada they do not have EPA regs and do a great job in Kelowna BC @ Kelowna Electroplating. Cost should be a lot lower. I know there is another place closer to the boarder that is cheaper and does quality work. Can't remember the name. I have a 45 and 46 that needs to be chromed. I know a guy who bought a repro grill and sent it to Seattle to be chromed and cost him $800 over and above the cost. By the way I am looking for bumpers.