chrome work...gt6 mk3

[system6]

Hi once again all ,..resto going good ,(I will post photos as soon as i can get around to it)......looking at chrome work.....all chrome ...door handles, strips, petrol cap front and back bumpers 1/4 window frames etc....are in very poor condition , which is more practicable/cost effective  ... re-chroming or should i buy new ?
                                              Thanks

[thescrapman]

If the bigger bits of chrome are straight and rust free, then re-chrome is better.

Door handles will be Mazak I suspect, so may need to be new.

Other option for bumpers is stainless steel if they are available.

None of the options are cheap, so assume that if you think the re chrome quote is good value, it is not at all.

[Nick Moore]

My experience:
I replaced my door handles and petrol cap as the originals were pitted. The new ones seem to be well made. I also replaced the tailgate lock, but as the new one didn't have a flap to keep water out of the lock, I'll rechrome the original one day.

I bought new 'horseshoes' for the tail, but they weren't quite the right shape, so I had the original Mazak horseshoes rechromed. They're a little pitted but it would take a very short person to notice. The stainless steel strips on the rear wings and around the tail were straightened, the wing trims repainted and the tail trim polished. I also had the stainless strips that run under the sills straightened, but they were such a bugger to refit, and an obvious water trap, that I've left them off. They're so low down that it would take a hedgehog with a torch and intimate knowledge of Triumphs to notice that they're missing.

I had my bumpers straightened and rechromed too. Stainless bumpers would have been a similar price, but I was able to have the bumpers trial-fitted before chroming so that I could be absolutely sure they were the right shape again. Whoever makes the stainless bumpers probably wouldn't have had a GT6 handy for checking.

If you go down the rechroming route, make sure the chromers do it properly. Strip off the old chrome, then copper plate, polish, nickel, and then chrome. Some el cheap outfits skip the copper step. And paint the back sides of the bumpers once you get them back - the plating process doesn't reach the undersides so well, and they'll start rusting from the back.

[Sidewaysste]

I've had the same dilemma - I purchased new handles as mine were very pitted and the mechanisms were shot. I've polished up the fuel cap but may get a new one as the finish is good, but not concours... I couldnt find new front quarterlights so have cleaned them up the best I can, same with the rear openers. I'd like to get my bumpers re chromed, but if Stainless ones are £700 and Chroming is similar, it may be a difficult choice.

[system6]

Thanks for the replies chaps ....anybody now of a good chroming company in Bristol area /south east wales? so i can get some prices...also this morning i'm looking at  spraying  the horse shoes and chrome strips BLACK  , as the side ones are already black and think it might look good as well as saving a few 'bob' ,colour of car is navy blue , any views on this most welcome 8)

                               Thanks

[Sidewaysste]

I reckon it could work if the car is de- bumpered. I reckon it would clash against chrome bumpers.  I don't like black bumpers, but have only seen them done in a matte finish

[system6]

Sideway.....How did you know ......I am not fitting the rear bumper.....and as you say with out the bumper i could work..... i will be spraying in a matt black finnish   and indeed i've just done that to a very u/s pair of horse shoes .(which i bought on ebay when they arrived they were not as good as originals which i've still got)..... just offered them up and it looks ok....... i'll proberbly go with that ....although it is going away from the originality of the car ..but i suppose it can always be reversed in future  8)
                                          
                               Thanks for your replies