Chrome plating question
 

I’m having a difficult time finding a chrome plating place that can restore a set of 1969 Corvette BB valve covers.
All places can chrome them, but no one can do the flash chrome process. Which from my understanding is just nickel and chrome. No copper.

Additionally, none can guarantee that they can preserve the factory spot welds.
They all say those will most likely get polished off.

I’ve called over 20 places with no real luck.

My question is where are all of you sending valve covers to get chromed?
What are you requesting? Show chrome?
It took me forever to find the correct valve covers for my 1969 Corvette L89 and at this point I’d be happy to have them chromed as long as the spot welds were preserved.

Try These guys.
https://the-chrome-shop.com/

I can email photos of a air cleaner they did in flash chrome.

Pm sent!

Tri-City Plating Co also does flash chrome or NCRS chrome. I got a quote of $250 ea. for BB valve covers. I am getting ready to send a few pairs myself.
218 E Mill St
Elizabethtown, TN 36743
423-542-6532

Jeff, did they send you a sample or provide photos of what the covers will look like when completed? If so, can you post the pic?

Thanks

Dan, I have only talked to them by phone, I have never used their services as yet. To be honest, if you buy a nice pair of used valve covers & then send them out to get flash chrome at the cost of $500, now you have limited the # of people looking to pay up for them when the cheaper Crane Reproductions are now acceptable for judging at half the price.

I was told whenI called they were only doing bumpers now.
Btw, had a hard time getting thru to them. Left several VM but did eventually speak to a human when I called

U.S. Chrome

https://www.uschrome.com/flash-chrom...Flash%20Chrome

That was my answer when I asked the same question 4 or 5 years back. Local chromer won't do flash chrome either.

Dealt with these folks here in Dayton for some industrial applications. Good folks. No complaints. Never for flash chrome though.

Checked out US Chrome and this was on the website..

Try Atlas Chrome in Houston, TX..

I was in contact with The Chrome Shop, without seeing my valve covers, they quoted me $225 - $280 ea. I think I am going to give them a try after they responded to all my concerns.

After seeing the photo's of the air cleaner you sent me, I have corresponded with Dan at The Chrome Shop and I will be sending 11 BB valve covers out on Monday. For those of you who might be interested in buying original GM valve covers, I am only sending out 1969 Camaro & 1970 Chevelle valve covers that will be available in the future.

I’d be interested in a set of 70 when they’re done. Jeff in nj

This Canadian plater will do nickel and chrome - no copper - but shipping requires dealing with FedEx/UPS Customs. https://www.dependableplating.com.

I will say this if the metal is pitted it will come back looking pitted. Filling the pits involves copper plating and buffing. I had them do an air cleaner as flash chrome and the pits do show.
This process will not hide any defects.

None of my valve covers are pitted and if you go to there website and see the process I told Dan specifically not to do any of the covers that he feels will not have good results, I also told him to not remove the dimples and keep me informed. He is booking into February, so he is a little busy but I am fine with that, I will post the photo's when I get them back.

Without ever having this done, I'd suspect it'd result in the same finish as a brake booster with corrosion trails from brake fluid leaks. Not pitted, but a bit rough to the feel. Anything but virgin metal may be noticable????

those valve covers will shine like a diamond

Just curious why we restore our cars with better than original gaps and better than original paint jobs, and often replicate overspray, etc. But want to use inferior, albeit more original looking re-chrome processes.

I'm not dissing anyone, as I did that, myself, except that I had my valve covers show chromed. I even had my painter replicate the paint smear in one of the punched holes on the underside of the deck lid!

Can only speak for what I went through,platers thick show chrome plating covered up the dripper dimples on my valve covers.

I sent my 11 valve covers to The Chrome Shop 0n Dec. 3rd, 2023, to may surprise, on Thursday Dec 21, 2023 I received a package in the mail from The Chrome Shop, Dan wanted my opinion before he proceeded with the other 9. This is a left side 1970 Chevelle, and yes the dimples are still there.

Since your in front of them what changes would you suggest?

Is that show chrome or nickel/ chrome?
They look amazing

They are flash chrome/nickel chrome and yes I am very pleased with the results and will be getting the other 9 valve covers done.

69 L78, You previously wrote "they quoted me $225 - $280 ea."

What did Dan charge for the ONE (pic above) and what do you anticipate paying
for more......???

I have survivor 70' L78/LS6 covers needing Chrome versus buying CRANE Covers
for ???? $$$$$$

I will let you know the price when they are all finished and I get an invoice.

I received 10 of my 18 valve covers I sent out, I was charged $270 ea. or $540 per pair for a total of $2700 + shipping and yes I am very pleased with the results. Some members like to complain about high price of parts, but they have no problem shooting for the moon when they sell their car or their customers cars.

I just recently received my last batch of 9 valve covers from The Chrome Shop, so I have 9 pairs total. I am very pleased to have saved these original valve covers, they were not nice enough to my standards to put on a survivor car. I will have these on display & for sale at the Camaro Nationals July 19-20 in Morgantown, PA. I currently have 67 Chevelle L78 & L35 non-droppers, 67 Camaro L78, 68 Chevelle L78, 70 Chevelle only Ls6 L78 L35.

I was very pleased to work with Dan Young from The Chrome Shop, what other company in this world would send out 9 valve covers that they just finished for a total of $2753 before they get paid. Dan sent me an email thanking me for my business and in Dan's own words, (I hope you send me a check).