Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: bsimaz on February 29, 2012, 14:53:11

Title: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: bsimaz on February 29, 2012, 14:53:11
Not me but I think that some people think we have too much money just
because we own a Pagoda...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-1971-MERCEDES-BENZ-W113-230SL-250SL-280SL-CHROME-TRIM-SET-/251005965130?hash=item3a711f134a&item=251005965130&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: mdsalemi on February 29, 2012, 16:05:05
That's about as ridiculous as it comes.  I know good chrome, and I don't know who would charge that kind of money for those pieces, nor take 6 months to do it...and this guy wants to sell it on an EXCHANGE basis?  Hey, maybe that guy in Italy who bought Chassis #15 would be interested... ;)
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: peterm on February 29, 2012, 17:53:40
Mike isnt there a special limited edition signed version of pagoda style you could offer fro a premium?  If you make it sought after they will come!
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: stickandrudderman on February 29, 2012, 21:13:49
Here in the UK I would expect it to cost around £5000 to re-chrome every single piece of chrome on the car, including hard top trims.
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: IXLR8 on February 29, 2012, 21:45:52
Hi Mike--

Which vendor did you use to rechrome your trim pieces? Are they local in SE Michigan?

Thanks,

the other Joe
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: mdsalemi on February 29, 2012, 22:51:49
Other Joe,

I used three different chrome platers.

1) http://www.gravesplating.com/  Alabama (the big stuff)
2) http://www.blplating.com/  Warren MI (the small stuff)

The third place did the bumper repair; they were in Windsor Ontario (pre 9/11 and when the dollar was good) and they did all the repair to the bumpers and sent the chrome out to a place near Toronto.  Dan Caron could tell you the good platers in Ontario.  I think the bumper place is gone, have not been able to locate them.  They were called "International Bumper Exchange".

Stick, I'd agree with those numbers more or less, depending on what you had, the exact process, etc.  But that group of items is quite far from "every single piece of chrome"...

Good luck to that seller...
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: JPMOSE on February 29, 2012, 23:13:51
Mike,

I've heard good things about Graves Plating!   Is their pricing average?  
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: mdsalemi on March 01, 2012, 13:05:29
Quote from: JPMOSE on February 29, 2012, 23:13:51
Mike,
I've heard good things about Graves Plating!   Is there pricing average? 

Graves? I think their quality and service is on par with the best; and commensurately priced.

There are a lot of good chrome platers around; Graves came from my restorer and was a trusted source.  B&L was one local to me that I could bring the parts to, discuss the work, and pick them up.  Many of our friends here have had great luck with other platers in their locale...I'm sure if you find yourself wanting one locally, you could; links below for two of them.  Contact your local MBCA group, or other local car clubs such as the CCCA or VMCA or the like, and ask for recommendations.  If you are looking yourself, ignore the ones that say "hard chrome" since that isn't the decorative chrome we are talking about.

Sometimes the restorers "go with what they know"; ignorant or incompetent platers can damage things.  Interior chrome, for example, can have that texture plugged up.  The large bow pieces on the soft top tonneau, can easily be misshapen in processing...then your in trouble.

http://www.chromeatlanta.com/
http://www.proplating.net/
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: JPMOSE on March 01, 2012, 15:38:50
Thanks Mike!  It would be worth driving to AL since you have experience with Graves.  I have never heard of the company in Marietta, but will ask my mechanic (Auto Benz in Marietta who also performs minor restoration).  My 250SL has great chrome but the vertical pieces on the windshield pillar have bright marks but no pits (not sure how that happened).  I also have 3-4 pieces for my 280SE 3.5 that have minor pits (but stand back a foot and you don't see them).

I also corrected my poor grammar in my previous note!!!!
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: Kemal on March 02, 2012, 17:43:50

Wow   :o, I ought to be more careful in future with taking care of my chrome, if that what it costs!!
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: J. Huber on March 02, 2012, 19:15:34
So is the gist of this thread that it should probably cost less than 13K to buy all new chrome -- or that one could beat that number by having most re-chromed, and maybe buying what you have too?
Title: Re: Who needs new chrome?
Post by: hank sound on March 05, 2012, 01:04:55
 :o This thread really does make me wonder - - if the list price of each and every piece of OEM chrome from front to back, was added together, would the total be 13K?    The aftermarket industry was born due to stuff like this.    Fortunately, I only need "this piece here".    

Well, this is one to watch, if only for excitement value :D

Cheers, Hank