Crappy Chroming

[widebody911]

I took some stuff to a local plater to be re-chromed. I dropped it off in December and got it back yesterday.

The first thing I notices were wires soldered onto the backs of the windshield trim pieces. I asked the guy "So how am I supposed to get that off?" His reply: "I don't know - that's your problem." He needed a way to run a wire to hold the pieces, which I understand. Ironically, he could have drilled a small hole without consequence - there's a joining sleeve that would cover it.

So I sat down tonight and was going to take the dremel to it, but upon closer inspection, there's NFW I'm doing this. For one, the solder ran under the lip of the channel. I would destroy it trying to cut out the solder. They also did a crappy job on the emblem - there's lumps on the bottom so that it can't sit flush on the decklid, and a big booger on the bottom of the "G" - it's like the parts were dirty when they got dropped into the chrome.

Any suggestions on how I should handle this from a customer complaint angle? The ends of every single piece are hosed in a similar fashion. For what I paid to have these re-chromed ($250 for the 2 sets), I shouldn't have to deal with bolshevik like this.

There were a bunch of other parts in the batch, and they came out fine.

[Joeaksa]

Thats bad. I would not accept that and have them do it over.

That looks like S**t. Take it back, but if he's already given you a "that's your problem line" you probably won't get it done right and have to take it elsewhere. Then either blow it off or take the dip to small claims court. I hate crap like that, makes you want to ***** slap them. Also put a claim in with the Better Business Bureau. It may not help you, but may help someone else out. You can do it on-line now.

The BBB has saved me a couple of times, It's a shame that it's even needed, but just a sign of the times.

Good Luck, Don

[Evans, Marv]

I'd tell him to either fix it or pay for it. When I take things, especially small thing like the emblem, to a plater I photgraph them with my digital camera & give them a copy when I leave it with them. I use the excuse that I want to point out how I want it done or little problems with the piece. I can always use it later on if I have to take them to small claims court. Never had to do that yet, because when there is a problem, I bring the photos for the discussion. I started doing it when I took a pair of the fasteners at the back of the quarter windows in to be chromed. I had to disassemble them, so I laid them out & phtographed the pieces. They lhappened to lose the pin that lets them rotate at the ends, & when I showed them the pictures, they couldn' deny they were there & had to have a machinist make new ones.

[Willem Fick]

That sucks!

It would have looked better if you had painted it silver using a broom and model aircraft paint.

That probably is the worst job I had ever seen, and when you realise I sit here in darkest Africa that says a hell of a lot.

Take it back, and if needs be make a scene big enough to chase all his other custom away, if he is not prepared to come to the fore and admit he screwed up. Take it to the courts and BBB after that...

Marv's, idea with the pics is one I'll take to heart in future!

[asphaltgambler]

Take my view on this comming from a hot-rod and custom Harley guy

That is some of the worst "plating" I have ever seen. Do not take it back to whoever molested those pieces. It's clear that they didn't care the first time around. Chrome plating us just like paint on a vehicle. 95% of the finished product is the result of good and thorough prep.

The pitting on those parts should have been dipped in copper and buffed (repeatably) until smooth. THEN nickel plate, buff and chrome.

Call these guys in Texas. They do excellent work and offer a 2-week turnaround. Speed &Sport Chrome Plating. (713) 921-0235

[Willem Fick]

asphaltgamble,

OT: I looked at your signature, and feel your pain!

[asphaltgambler]

It's the absolute truth!

[john walker's workshop]

horrible work. i would be pissed as hell. i've had shouting matches with platers over their crappy work. very hard to find a good one that doesn't kill your stuff. that would never have left the shop if it were me. always check all the pieces at the shop. they wrap them up real well in paper and lots of tape in hopes of you not wanting to look at them until you're home.

[the]

Wow, that is a totally unprofessional job, on all levels. Total crap that you shouldn't pay a DIME for.

[widebody911]

So I dropped by after work today. I explained the situation in my best 'polite voice' to the lady behind the counter, and she was real nice and wrote up a new order, photocopied the old receipt, etc. and then said "Lemme go in the back and talk to _____ and make sure I've got everything right"

Then it got fun!

The guy came storming out, "I can't believe this! What do you mean you can't fix it?" I explained how the solder had run under the lip of the seal, and that I was afraid I would either ruin the finish or ruin the part trying to cut it out or melt it out, and that I could not use the parts in this condition. His response "You must not be very good at restoring cars if you can't handle something as simple as this!"

I wanted to say "If I was going to hang a door to paint it, would I weld an eye bolt in the middle of it?" but I held my tongue. He grudgingly agreed to re-do the parts, but I have a feeling I'm not at the top of the queue...

[WolfeMacleod]

In California, ther eis a company caleld Safe Plating that recently plated 15,000 parts for me in Nickle. Perfect, perfect job. I'm very happy with them. www.safeplating.com

If someone is in the Tennessee area, there is a company in Nashville called Advanced Plating. I have used them before, and am extremly happy with them. They do excellent show-car plating, and do the nickel and chrome plating for Gibson Guitars, as well.
Extremely nice stuff from them.

FWIW, Chrome sucks. Go heavy, bright nickle. No electrical wire soldering needed. for "bright nickle" plating.

[widebody911]

I recently sent a set of Ghia bumper guards to Advanced Plating. Not cheap, but they have a good rep. I used a local shop for this stuff hoping for a faster turnaround.

[Tim Hancock]

The bubbles on the end of the last photo and the rough uneven finish on the other parts (do the front sides look good?) would p!ss me off the most. The back sides look fixable (not that you should have to, after paying good money). The local industrial plating company that I send stuff to for work is a filthy place staffed with derelicts. I am guessing it is par for the course in the plating industry. I guess you have to spend big bucks at one of the few decent platers if you want quality gauranteed.

[Hendog]

Originally posted by widebody911
"I can't believe this! What do you mean you can't fix it?" "You must not be very good at restoring cars if you can't handle something as simple as this!"

How can anyone in business put the oness (sp?) on the customer for their own incompetence? This story just p1$$es me off!! and I don't even do autorestoration. This plater does LOUSY work. You shouldn't have to FIX anything!! You shouldn't have to handle anything no matter how simple!! It should be RIGHT when you get it back!!

What's the company's name? not that I live nearby or anything, but he needs to be exposed.

[arcsine]

The aiki way of handling this:

Him: "You must not be very good at restoring cars if you can't handle something as simple as this!"

You: "Nope, you are correct, I am a complete klutz. That is why I have things like this professionally done to give myself the best chance at success. Can you replate these pieces without all the bubbles, drips and extra solder to give me a fighting chance at getting the car back together?"

[RickM]

My experience with chrome re-plating has been mixed. I used a relatively local guy a few times with success. When he sees certain charateristics on a piece he warns me that it may not come out. 50% of the time he's right. Last failure was on center caps.

[asphaltgambler]

Once again the best prep people are Speed&Sport Plating in Texas

[stevepaa]

Asphaltgambler, Do they do cadmium plating also?


thom, That chrome work is despicable.


Do you know anyone at Aerojet. Ask them who does their plating.