Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: BOTIGER1970 on July 13, 2025, 15:29:08
-
I'm coming to the stage in the restoration of my 280SL that I need to think about getting my parts re-chromed. I didn't see any recent threads concerning re-chroming and was wondering if anyone had recently re-chromed all the required parts and about how much it cost. Also, I would appreciate any recommendations on venders. Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Mark
-
Mark,
No matter how or where you do this, it's going to be costly--as long as you understand that, you'll be fine. To do all the chrome on a Pagoda could cost ~$20K these days. Those that show up on forums saying things like "Well, I don't need a concours quality chrome plating job, just a regular chrome plating job" as if to thrift the process, simply don't understand how this is done. 25 years ago, it cost about USD $1,000 to plate the bumpers (and minor repair) in CANADA when there was a good exchange rate. I think the hard top chrome which was done in 2021 was about well over $1,000 in the USA.
While there are still plenty of places that do chrome plating (as well as true cadmium, zinc and more) there are a number that have gone away in the past few years. I used several platers during the initial restoration and most of mine are gone.
Because you want to do a quantity, I'd suggest you try and find a place local, CALL THEM, speak with them, and pay a visit with a selection of your parts so they can examine them. Here are two quite close:
The Chrome Shop, Midland, NC. 704-888-0112. Midland is nearby, in Cabarrus County, east of Charlotte.
Concord Plating, 704-784-4660. In nearby Concord.
You may do your own searching, but understand the following: know the difference between "decorative chrome plating" which is what you want, and hard chrome plating which is for industrial tooling. Searching for chrome plating will yield both. Also, be aware that due to the way search engines work, if you search for "chrome plating Mooresville NC" you may find platers quite distant that would like you to think they are local. For example, a firm in Oceanside, CA called DMC or Decorative Metal Coatings, shows up as "Best Raleigh North Carolina Chrome Plating Service" when indeed they are thousands of miles away.
You want to feel comfortable with the owner, the shop and the process. I remember a friend of mine bought "re-chromed" bumpers for his 1965 Ford from a place called BumperBoyz out of LA. Cheap chrome plating and in a few short years they started pitting. My guess is you don't want that.
Good chrome plating requires an enormous amount of hand work. The part must be stripped bare, prepared, then plated with copper. After the copper plate, then a nickel plate, or "strike". The best chrome will have a second nickel strike, first dull then bright. Finally, then, the chrome, and hand work to polish. There are nasty toxic chemicals involved so the compliance costs are high.
But you have two locals to try out. There will be plenty out state, and more in state and in SC and nearby too. Start local and avoid the shipping.
-
I had a lot of luck with Space Coast Plating in Melbourne, Florida. It was a few hundred bucks to do my three-piece interior rear view mirror, some bits on the trunk, and one or two other pieces that I can't recall. I want to say it was around $275, and it was flawless. Ahead of schedule, too. They do a lot of volume with the muscle car and Harley people up there.
But that's far from NC. Good luck in your search.
-
Michael and Jack,
Thanks for the feedback. I knew it was going to be expensive, just didn't know how expensive. I need it to be done correctly.
Mark
-
I had talked with Tom Hanesn when he was still working at the classic center.
MB sources the chrome from a shop in Eastern Europe. Apparently that shop provides the correct period finish and hue.
-
I have had so pieces chromed, I used Royal Silverplating, in Norfolk, Va. the owner, retired now and the business is in his son’s hands. The owner was a drag racer and was the go to place for chrome, for the dragsters, and hot rods. All over the country. Has a great reputation. Might give them a call.