TheSamba.com :: View topic - Re-plating vintage chrome roll bar

Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:08 pm

Does anyone know of anyplace that has the ability to re-plate a chrome roll bar? I have a vintage early 70's rollbar that was originally chrome and somewhere over the years has been painted black. I'd like to get it back to the original chrome. I've checked a couple of places in Virginia and they can't handle the size. I guess the dimensions of 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide is too big for their plating tanks.

A second option would be powder coating it. Does anyone know if there is a near-chrome, or stainless steel look, powder coat color that might work?
Thanks.
Rick

Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:21 pm

Seeing you are from Va.; I found a place in Fayetteville, NC that did mine. He did the entire bar EXCEPT for the bottom 6" of the bar and he did an excellant job at it. The part that he couldn't do(because his tank wasn't deep enough) I just painted it. It is hidden and not easily noticed while it is in the car. Seems like there is a place in Richmond that does car bumpers...they'd be the place to carry it to. Sure I could have had a new SS bar or powdercoated mine for what I paid, but I wanted it to be chrome.

Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:28 pm

Both of these have good reputations

http://www.tricityplating.com/

http://hanlonplating.com/

Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:44 pm

Chrome tends to make parts brittle, and crack over time. Unless you are really stuck on a vintage piece I would consider getting a copy made. I saw in a hot rod mag a few months ago a paint process that replicates chrome very well. And is far cheaper.

brad

Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:11 pm

I found it cheaper to get my Manx roll bar reproduced in polished stainless than to get it re-chromed.

It's still as bright 4 yrs later and is almost indistinguishable from chrome.

Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:58 pm

There is a plater in Fayettevile, NC that can chrome bumpers & larger parts, but the reality is that it'll probably cost you as much to have the old bar stripped & replated as it would to simply buy a new rollbar...

This supplier is pretty reputable for a new rollbar in either raw steel or stainless... http://www.meyersmanx.com/mmstore/store-rollbar.shtml

:)

You could get a raw steel rollbar or have one locally bent & have it powdercoated in a chrome-like finish.

bryan

Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:26 pm

Another place that can likely re-chrome it:
http://advancedplating.com/index.html

They're doing a set of headlight trim rings for me right now.

Also agree with what others are saying - I'd guess $400 minumum to have your old bar stripped and re-chromed - that's if it has no corrosion or other problems. Good chrome is $$$$!!
A polished SS bar would likely be less and last forever.

Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:32 pm

GS guy wrote: Another place that can likely re-chrome it:
http://advancedplating.com/index.html

They're doing a set of headlight trim rings for me right now.

Also agree with what others are saying - I'd guess $400 minumum to have your old bar stripped and re-chromed - that's if it has no corrosion or other problems. Good chrome is $$$$!!
A polished SS bar would likely be less and last forever.

Manx Club is selling SS rollbars at $450+tax/shipping for non-members...

Bryan

Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:35 pm

Look up JUSBUGS in Mississippi...Doug. He has chrome roll bars in stock. Tell him MURZ sent ya.....

http://jusbugs.com/

Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:26 am

You could also send it down to Florida to Spectra Chrome:

http://www.sprayonchrome.com/index2.html

I have never used them or have an idea on cost, but it seems like the what they produce is top notch. This might be a good option for guys running larger cages that want them to look like chrome.

Wed Dec 14, 2011 10:49 pm

I have one that I will not be using, I will be putting up for sale in January.

Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:03 pm

Couple months late; but figured I would post in case anyone else is needing the info. This place quoted me between 500-1000 to rechrome roll bar (unseen), but they have a free shipping service *for class car or restoration projects*.

http://ogdenchrome.com/node/61

Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:24 am

I just went through that with mine last week. Tri city in TN wanted $400 to do mine. There is a place here in Asheville NC down the road that does powder coating Asheville Powedercoating. They do a nice job. They will redo it then powder coat it for $200. That is there Min. charge. I went with the Stainless from Meyers Manx for $400. I feel I got a good deal. No its not Chrome but looks great. Good luck. Brian :D

Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:20 am

Ogden chrome did a few vintage vespa parts for me. They were courteous, communicated well and discussed options. I was very pleased.

I am looking for someone to make a SS roll bar for my monocoque in the Southeast...anyone know of a fabricator that can bend 2 inch SS and polish it>?

Standard Manx roll bar does not fit.

Thanks
Chris

Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:02 pm

I contacted Tri City right after I started this thread and they quoted me $500 plus shipping. Seems a little steep for a roll bar I paid $29.95 for 40 years ago.....

A local powder-coater quoted me a price of between $325 and $350 for a plain, non-metalic color.

The gloss black it's painted now is looking better and better.
Rick

Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:18 pm

Nice thing about stainless. It won't rust.