Okay so I've done a few chrome bits for Ford owners here and there, and 99% of them are well happy with the result. But there's always one or two that just like to whinge and moan! I suppose it's the same in any trade. Some people are just time wasters I suppose.

The latest bloke (no names mentioned) is complaining the item wasn't chromed on the underside, or at the back! Likewise some people expect a 12 year old car part to be magically restored when it is chrome plated, and somehow be repaired of any blemishes on the original part. If I were to polish and chrome the entire part, even the unseen bits, all my prices would be tripled... not exactly a good idea eh?

Sorry for the rant but it's just the whingers always shout loudest, and the happy people stay quiet. Why does it have to be like that?

I suppose all I can do is take comfort from the fact that the minority aren't worth bothering with. Any advice from other sellers on dealing with these problems would be welcome.

Rant over

 

Maybe you should put up a post like you did on mig explaining what may happen to old/worn/badly prepped parts and the likliness of getting a perfect all over finish.

 

maybe we should see some of the products so the lynchmob can catch antoher bandwagon

 

looks like bandwagon is going to be the new word of the week.......

 

Good thinking Rs1.

Basically a mechanical polish via a polishing belt can remove the vast majority of surface stratches, and about 1mm of surface pitting. This is sufficient in most cases to produce a mirror finish. This is the cruical part of the process.

The actual chrome electroplating does not fill in pits, does not restore the metal and does not actually add a shine in itself. It merely serves to preserve and protect the metal underneath, as well as any basecoating such as zinc (which IS shiny).

So to cut a long story short, the chromed result is only as good as the polished result. The polished result is only successful if the base workpiece is not deeply pitted or damaged.

From a cost perspective, I ensure the main highlights are polished for a good finish, and the visible surfaces are paid special attention to. The bottom line is the cost of the finished products would skyrocket if hand polishing was used for extra detailing, or if the whole workpiece was worked at the polishers.

An example...

Note the recessed areas are not polished. They just appear almost matt silver, whilst the highlights are deeply reflective... this is the difference between polished and non polished.

That rocker cover sells for Ł90.00, but to have the recessed areas polished, so the whole thing is one giant mirror finish, would be more like Ł200! And even then there would be no contrast, and it would look wrong IMO.

 

This practice is widely used across the UK chroming scene. If you look at the adverts of the other two main sellers of Ford/Vauxhall chrome, it is clear that they also only polish the highlighted areas, not the recessed ones.

The extra work can be done, but at a great cost.

 

my rocker cover on my cossie is totally polished and as uch as i admit it dont look great the pitting section looks pooh

how much did you charge out of interest as i know what i payed for all my polishing

 

mine is totally polished and chromed and looks great