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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 87 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 87 | looking at buying new bumpers etc but whats the chrome like on repro bumpers? is it ok or like the crapanese mr gasket rubbish that rusts in an hour! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 | To rechrome my bumper up here they want about $390.00. Having said that it is good chrome. Repro chrome IMHO is garbage. I had repro bumpers on my 53. Had to keep them waxed and even then they were poor.
I recently bought a cruiser bicycle made by Electra. Pretty neat. However in spite of it being a California company the bike is Made In Taiwan. The chrome on the handlebars has little pits and picks in it. Typical after-market low grade chrome! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 275 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 275 | I bought repro bumbers for my 48 panel and I wasn't very impressed with them they were very wavy and the chrome wasn't very smooth. I really didn't have much for choice good original bumpers are as rare as chicken teeth.
38 original
48 panel
59 stepside
46 in the back forty
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 | The little bit I know about chrome is (and could be wrong) that the older and better ways used copper underneath to fill in the rougher spots. When the chrome was applied over the top of the copper and buffed out, it made better shine and smoother finish. Many rechromers use nickel instead of copper. It is cheaper and adequate in most cases. The guys who still use copper are a lot more expensive and most show cars use the copper process over the nickel. | | | | | | Anonymous Unregistered | | Anonymous Unregistered | The old triple plate is the best. Copper is used first to fill the pits and smooth. Nickel goes on over the copper to seal and rust proof. The chrome then goes on over the nickel for the final finish. The "new" way is to "flash" chrome. The chrome gets put on directly over the polished steel. It doesn't seal the steel very well from rust, and it often peels off in sheets. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 13 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 13 | hi,
like good paint shops ,good plating is all in the prepwork the thickness of plating and the chemical balance of the vats, many systems are available to plating shops and just like beers they look similar but tast diffrent!
I would suggest if your buying repo gear ask your supplier if they have american standards and would they warranty the product. If your getting somthing original rechromed by a local shop go with your eyes and gut feelings , a look around the shop will tell you heaps.
people often become reflections of the places they inhabit....quick look around you! \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ 1948 Chevy 1/2-Ton Downunder | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 | i bought new bumpers from 'the truck shop' for my 64 two years ago.they are a third lighter than original,but still look good. | | |
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