Pete,
Hexavalent vs Trivalet Chrome
Since
your probably going to Carlisle next week, if you can take them with
you, consider Librandi's Plating in Middletown Pa. which is a suburb of
Harrisburg near the Harrisburg airport. Call them and ask if they will
be at the Chrysler Carlisle show and you could leave them there. Ask for
Todd Librandi, (you could drop my name if you wish). He is the owner
and ask him if he could give an estimate. Generally, they don't want to
quote prices because they like to see the bumpers to see the before
condition; dings, bends, rust, etc.
They
have done a few of my cars over the years. He may not be cheaper but
chroming has gone skyward over the past few years thanks to our EPA. As
far as I know, he is one of the few that still uses the old
"Hexavalent" chrome process vs the "Trivalent" chrome that most are using now
because of EPA and toxicity. Trivalent chrome can be more "grayish"
appearing if the electrochemical processes are not kept very clean. It can become downright gray. Hexavalent is the old process used before the 70's and looks like the
old "bluish" color chrome like our vintage of cars. All chrome is not
equal even if it is a copper, nickel, chrome in content.
You get what you pay for, most of the time.
Anyway, hope this information helps make a decision for a rechromer as well as cost.
John