Recommended shops for chrome plating/gold plating

[55 CDV Fan 82]

Guys:

    Just bought a really nice 1957 Series 62 coupe that needs some chrome work.  The Chrome is original and although nice I'd like to take it to the next level.  I also have what was called the "gold" package which means gold scripts and grille.  What would you folks recommend for a good shop that's high on quality, decent on price, and not on the other side of the country from Washington DC?

[Jack McClow CLC #15840]

Tim,
 I live in the DC area as well and I am considering using Librandi's Plating in Middletown,  Pennsylvania; near the airport in the Harrisburg area from what I understand.   I have friends who have used this company and have been very satisfied, and I like the idea of being able to take the pieces up there myself, and meeting with the folks who will be doing that work, rather than shipping both ways, etc.   I might be going up there this coming week, and if I do I will give you my thoughts on the facility when I return.   I believe they restore the gold pieces as well; I will find out for sure next week.   Another friend of mine just picked up a '54 convertible this past weekend, fresh out of restoration, and his gold "V"s look totally fantastic; I believe he told me they were refinished with some actual gold.  I will find out where those were done.
Jack.

[Walter Youshock]

I've had plating done at libraries and they are good.

As for the gold anodized trim:  there is a source BUT, if your car didn't come with the gold grille, think about it.

Every car looks good with a silver grille.  Not every car looks good with a gold one.  Once you commit your grille to gold, you're stuck
  And it requires grinding off the original extrusion markings that you'll never get back...  how bad is your current grille?

I do admire you for your foresight to have the other aluminum trim reanodized correctly.  You definitely seem to know what's right and what's not.

[35-709]

"I've had plating done at libraries and they are good."

    Walter, you need to get rid of that spelling program of yours!

[Walter Youshock]

These damn phones...  I meant to type LIBRANDI.  Now it's in my personal dictionary.

[35-709]

 

[55 CDV Fan 82]

Walter:

    This already has the gold grille as it was manufactured this way back in 1956.  I haven't seen the grille in person yet (car is being picked up today) but its faded and I'd like to make it like new again.  I always keep my classic cars to 100% OEM specs. 

[Walter Youshock]

That's a fairly rare option.  A whopping  $35 in '57.  I bet it will look great against the blue. My car is mountain laurel and a gold grille would be way too much with that color.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

I've also seen "library's"  work and can attest to their quality.

[55 CDV Fan 82]

Walter:

    Yeah this series 62 has a lot of options for that model.  Just found out via another thread I have that its #638 off the production line!  That combined with the fact it spent most of its life in Panoma CA makes it one hell of a find

[55 CDV Fan 82]

I also have registration cards from one of the owners dating from 1959-1976.  I also have an inspection tag dated Oct 25th 1956.  What it was for originally is beyond me but its still pretty cool!

[55 CDV Fan 82]

Well I called the place in PA and they quoted me 1500 for the rear bumper and 2200 for the front bumper.  I know these are large bumpers and they're time consuming but is that a fair price?  I haven't had to rechrome any of my bumpers since 2004 and back then it was for a small 68 Barracuda

[Walter Youshock]

Call a couple other places but it's probably on par.  It's been a long time since I had any chrome done, too.  And quality will cost more.

If I hadn't done my car when I fid, I doubt I could afford to do it now...

[55 CDV Fan 82]

I don't mind paying those prices since the shop is only 2 hours from my house.  I'm definitely getting my rear bumper done asap as the previous owner thought it to be wise to "paint" the surface rust spots (smacks forehead)