Radiator shell replating

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2010: Radiator shell replating
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nicholas J. Miller on Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 02:53 pm:

I have had a radiator shell for a 26 touring for some time and need to have it plated. It was originally nickel plated over brass but now has some damaged areas and scrapes. Recently took it to get an estimate. It seemed rather expensive if with minor fix and plating near $500 and if perfect (elaborate explanation included) close to $1,000. Does this seem right. I know it does not need to be Rolls quality but plating over dents doesn't make sense either and not for $500. Any suggestions? Thanks for any and all help. Nick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep (hiding in NZ) on Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 03:30 pm:

Find another place that does replating and get a second opinion? That might work


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed on Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 08:33 pm:

You have to be very careful getting things plated these days. The cheap shops often take shortcuts with prep and materials, and you get a nice surprise about a year later when the chrome starts to peel and speck. Since January, new EPA regs kicked in, costing the chrome shops, and increasing the price. With plating, take it to a place the is known in the car hobby for good plating craftsmen.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 10:07 pm:

If you get nickel plating done by a chrome shop, I can guarantee you will not be happy. There are only a few platers, that do the old fashioned cold nickel. Shop around, and don't be scared to pay the money. It's going to be expensive. I had my spark and throttle rods, gearcase and cover done several years ago, and I believe it was $150.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey on Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 10:15 pm:

Larry, I bought gas several years ago for 29.9 a gallon too.
A chrome shop will have to nickle plate anything before they chrome it.? I don't get, are there shops that do nickle but not chrome?
The cost and confusion is why I used a rattle can of black on my '26 touring's radiator shell, and it looks like it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR. on Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 10:53 pm:

Nick -- We have no idea where you are located, since you don't provide that information in your profile. More info going in = more info in return.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Halpin on Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 11:03 pm:

It all depends on what kind of show quality you want and how big you're wallet is.
The plating on mine was pretty shot, I looked into this a while back and decided that I could spend my money better in other places on the car.
I got a couple cans of Chrome paint, one can of clear and painted mine. Did the same thing with the bumpers.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Alexander on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 08:00 am:

D & S CUSTOM METAL RESTORATION

Mickey DuPuis, 102 Cabot St 111
Holyoke, MA 01040-6074
413-533-7770
dmlukas@msn.com

Expensive but you will not be dissappointed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry McConville Ottawa, Il on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 08:16 am:

I've had two done over the years, and they both still look great. Atlas Plating in Houston Texas. The last one (two years ago) cost $240.00 including return shipping. I think they did a super job and will use them again if I need any plating. Just my two cents worth.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nicholas J. Miller on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 10:02 am:

Thanks to all for responding. I am in St. Petersburg/Clearwater area of Florida, if that helps. I appreciate the businesses you have used, I will contact others out of my area for comparisons. I wish this were something possible to work on but clearing the dents or scrapes seems more that I can do to get it to original quality. I have bumpers to do as well and maybe all together would help on the separate part prices. Nick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garry Potter on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 10:25 am:

Nicholas
I live in Canada but go to Florida in the winter. I take my nickel plating requirements to a small plater in the north end of Sarasota, Florida. The past 2 winters he has completely nickled every part on my 1926 Fordor to show quality. The radiator turned out fantastic. He also did a great job on the door handles which are tricky to replate. Let me know after you have contacted Dave for a quote. He will want to see the parts before giving a firm price.
Contact him for a quote at
David Gradl
2170 Whitfield Park Drive
Unit G20
Sarasota, Florida, 34243
telephone 941-739-3700

Garry Potter


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nicholas J. Miller on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 07:06 pm:

Gary,
Thanks for the info. I went to David and got the estimate for the replating. Great guy with very good knowledge and from what he showed me of his work in progress seemed top shelf. Maybe I should have him do the work but right now it is rather expensive. The black shell looks good on the car but maybe later it can get the upgrade. I appreciate the help. Nick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George House on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 07:20 pm:

I just had a '26 brass shell renickeled for $200 in Austin, TX. You got to tell these platers that you want BRIGHT NICKEL or they'll just do a dull, prechrome job. (Has to be nickeled before chroming, I'm told) Had a bunch of small parts renickeled off my '26 tudor at the same time. Told him BRIGHT NICKEL before the job, too. Everything came out real nice except the radiator shell. As all was wrapped up when I picked it up, I didn't know of the shell until I came home - 30 miles away. I had brazed about a 4" length of the lacing strip at the bottom of one of the sides and carefully ground it and sanded it down and, for my standards, the nickeling done there was acceptable. What I didn't like was the real light application of nickeling around the radiator Ford script. Specifically under the tail of the 'F'. I took the shell back to the manager and showed him this and he seemed affronted that I would request a better job. Said the metal was too light for aggressive buffing and he wouldn't be responsible if the MADE IN USA under the script was rubbed out. I'm now real apprehensive about what I might pick up in a week or so. . . .


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry A.Woods on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 10:54 pm:

Nick, Check with Dan Trease. He was formerly of the Jacksonville area and I know he could put you onto a Florida plater or whoever he used.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kent Greenhalgh on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 11:09 pm:

Check out Jet-Hot. It is almost chrome-like, but much more durable and much cheaper than nickel- chrome plating.


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