Author Topic: Any use CalChrome to plate Hubcaps  (Read 2398 times)

johnk

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Any use CalChrome to plate Hubcaps
« on: January 17, 2019, 02:43:09 »
I need to refinish my hub caps to match the rest of the car. Calchrome in california quated me $250 per wheel to have the dents and scratches fixed and them rechromed. Has anyone used them before for this? I am going to get a local quote as well.


Thanks

John K
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

scoot

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Re: Any use CalChrome to plate Hubcaps
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2019, 15:36:01 »
You are talking about full wheel covers, not dog dish, right?
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

Iconic

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Re: Any use CalChrome to plate Hubcaps
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2019, 16:11:52 »
John,
As you probably know, steel wheel covers that require chrome are very rare (although I do have a set on my car  ::)). Most have been the subject of curb rash and subsequent rusting.
I do not know Calchrome, but the price is the same I paid approximately for chroming.
Are you sure you don't have the stainless steel wheel covers?
For those you just have them cleaned up, the curb rash repaired, and polish them. This process is much less expensive than re-chroming.
Have fun painting them.  :-\
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

johnk

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Re: Any use CalChrome to plate Hubcaps
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2019, 17:31:40 »
They are the full hub caps and are magnetic with the green paint on the back so it appears they are not the stainless ones.

I will be checking with a local chrome shop as well so I hopefully don’t have ship them back and forth between Ohio and California.

Glad to know 250 is a comparative price

Thanks gents
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

Iconic

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Re: Any use CalChrome to plate Hubcaps
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2019, 18:04:28 »
They are the full hub caps and are magnetic with the green paint on the back so it appears they are not the stainless ones.
Yep, many of those have rusted away. That's great you have a set !!
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

johnk

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Re: Any use CalChrome to plate Hubcaps
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2019, 01:32:10 »
Thanks Mark. I didn't realize that steel hub caps are rare now.
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

winston the browndog

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Re: Any use CalChrome to plate Hubcaps
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2019, 23:09:06 »
Paul's Chrome is the best in the US . They are in the Carolinas or Georgia some where just Google them . I have had many things done by them and are the best . They send you pictures to track them , fix any problems . have never lost anything , they do not miss any part that is plated . There detail work is the best I have seen , They even treat the reverse side well . That makes a difference to me , maybe not you , But it shows they care . They have saved a lot of pieces from the recycling pile as well in the repair department . The surprising thing is that they are not any more expensive then any one else that I used . Look Them up !

johnk

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Re: Any use CalChrome to plate Hubcaps
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2019, 01:58:27 »
Thank you Winston! I will look them up tonight.

John K
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

johnk

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Re: Any use CalChrome to plate Hubcaps
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2019, 02:13:15 »
I checked with Pauls chrome nd they were teh most expensive than anybody at $450 a hub cap. Grafton Custom Chrome which is near me and is one of the best in the nation was only 325 a wheel.  They can't get to them for three months so I just ordered new ones from the Classic center for $1325. I'm not in a hurry, but I've had the US stencil too long and need to get it to the others that are waiting.
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540