Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[classicclara]

Hi
The chrome (bumpers, door handles etc) on our Rover P3 1949 need re-doing. Anyone recommend anywhere that does a good job on re-chroming? Preferably in the Suffolk/Norfolk/Essex area.
Thanks.
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Rover P4, 1964, Clara.
Rover P3, 1949, Chester.

[Old Wrench]

Hmm no takers, thus far, Clara. See if I can help a bit.

Doesn't actually matter who you go to, as I believe those parts were made from solid brass castings: (Except the bumpers, they will be mild steel), whereas later on, for cheapness, trim and door handles, light surrounds etc, were made from Mazak, a very cheap alloy of mainly Zinc with small amounts of Alluminium and Copper.

Over time (particularly when exposed to water): some types had lead in the mix, too. Over time they suffered from severe eruptions of "Pin Holes".

However, with brass parts they can be acid dipped (Muriatic Acid), then polished and cleaned to remove any grease; then Nickel plated; finally
Chromium Plated.

Here is a very good short description: You will note these boys also lay down a bed of copper.

http://www.verneschromeplating.com/triple-chrome-plating.html

Advice? Check around locally and county and quiz the "Experts" to make sure they are going to carry out a proper process.
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Well, apart from that, did you enjoy the play, Mrs Lincoln?

[Phil - Nottingham]

You can try Derby Plating but the door handles are in fact Mazak and will shrink through the deep polishing necessary to remove the craters which may look like a pinhole from the top but open out to a cavern - some have filled them with solder
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Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2

[Old Wrench]

Clara:

If the door handles and indeed any other parts are Mazak, then try this firm:

http://www.chromerestorationspecialist.co.uk/projects/mazak-repair/

Another reason I love older Jags: brass.
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Well, apart from that, did you enjoy the play, Mrs Lincoln?

[badhuis]

[Old Wrench]

Basically, badhuis, by the weight. brass is far heavier (and considerably more expensive!).

If in doubt, scurf of plating where it does not matter, say underneath the casting.
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Well, apart from that, did you enjoy the play, Mrs Lincoln?