Hey guys, my 72 Lemans may actually get finished this year so I will need to get two bumpers and a valance re-chromed over the winter. Who do you guys use or is everyone just far to expensive these days?
I talked to Cambridge Chrome at a flea market at their booth and on top of super expensive prices the people where horrible to talk to, almost like if people would just not stop we could pack up and go home. I would drive it with gray duct tape over the rust before sending my money their way.
Chroming is expensive anywhere in Canada, (if done properly - tri-plated, which repros DON"T do, hence the price difference) best option to do and save $$$ is find good clean used ones, we may have some but would have to wait 'til Monday to see. Dave
Hey guys, my 72 Lemans may actually get finished this year so I will need to get two bumpers and a valance re-chromed over the winter. Who do you guys use or is everyone just far to expensive these days?
I talked to Cambridge Chrome at a flea market at their booth and on top of super expensive prices the people where horrible to talk to, almost like if people would just not stop we could pack up and go home. I would drive it with gray duct tape over the rust before sending my money their way.
Kevin
Surprised that they were that way to talk to. I talked to them at their booth in Hershey in 2011 and sent my tail panel to them later. Yes, it wasn't cheap but it is a difficult piece to do and they did a pretty nice job. Takes them awhile but they were very nice to deal with and they even knocked some money off because it took a bit longer than they had predicted. When I look at these pieces I look at it as a one time shot and I just try to get something done every year or so and hopefully with it done right. I would use them again.
Try Midway Plating in London Ontario, 519-686-7216. I used them in 2005 for my bumpers, about $1200 (bumpers are not reproduced for Acadians) good quality job!
While we are talking about quality work and places recommended to shop I must say to Dale from NOS, I installed the carpet i purchased from you this winter as well as the seat material (sewn into new covers locally) i purchased a number of years ago and the Lemans looks great, like day one. I do highly recommend NOS for anyone looking for great service and very fair pricing. Too bad you don't do chrome!!!!!!!!!!
No problem, forums like this are places we can share information and I am sure there are newbies lurking or new customers searching for fair dealers and since my resto has taken 10 years instead of 2 or 3 I have met plenty of buyers and sellers who are unhappy with their transactions. The real problem with the resto trade or the parts business in general and I do know it as I have been in the Auto Parts Trade for 34.5 years is the very small percentage of rip off artists ruin it for the rest of us. Most people I know or have dealt with personally with my Leman's are great car people looking to help and make a few bucks or their living doing so. I have no problem saying good or bad about any dealings I have done. That being said, we all have misconceptions or too high exceptions of buying and selling sometimes so it is not about the problem at first but how we handle it. Good sellers or buyers accept that and get a fair resolution, that is the difference between honest and not!
Perhaps you are right that good used parts are the better choice. Over the past 10 years I have purchased a rear bumper and lower front valance that are good cores unlike the ones on my car hoping to find re-chroming affordable but the environmental laws have forced changes and bankruptcies everywhere in Ontario.
I have no idea where you are located but would be interested in useable units over the winter if the price was affordable and you had stock. I am in no rush as if the Pontiac gets on the road this summer I will be using my crap originals rust and all.
When you have time look and see if there are nice originals in your stockpile and pm me.
Perhaps you are right that good used parts are the better choice. Over the past 10 years I have purchased a rear bumper and lower front valance that are good cores unlike the ones on my car hoping to find re-chroming affordable but the environmental laws have forced changes and bankruptcies everywhere in Ontario.
I have no idea where you are located but would be interested in useable units over the winter if the price was affordable and you had stock. I am in no rush as if the Pontiac gets on the road this summer I will be using my crap originals rust and all.
When you have time look and see if there are nice originals in your stockpile and pm me.
Will have a look for you tomorrow and let you know. We have a few to go thru though. Cheers Dave
