Just picked up a SWEET 40 Ford F1 and the grill is currently being rebrazed and now I will need to chrome it. Any GOOD TRUSTWORTHY chrome Guys in the South Jersey Region? Thanks Guys in advance.
If you have an original Standard '40 Ford grille, it is pot metal. Pot metal is very expensive to chrome as the pits require more difficult processes to repair than a regular steel part. Not sure how you are brazing pot metal, so maybe your grille is a '39 Deluxe, or maybe an Argentine repro from the '70's. Bob Drake sells a correct repro grille that is already chromed and it might even be less costly than having your original pot metal chromed. Most Bob Drake parts are a good fit.
the person at dmv, probably could not finish the processing unless the spot designated "model" was filled in. they put in f1 for lack of a better answer.
Chromeplaterjosh is no longer in the business. There is a large book with every model designation of every car ever produced that should be on the shelf behind the DMV clerk. Maybe she/he was just lazy when they were trying to fill in the blanks on the form. But if they wanted accuracy they could have looked in the book and been 100% correct.
Chromeplaterjosh's family stii run the chrome business in Hagerstown, IN. I used Bills Chrome in Jennette, PA recently for a show car. Neither has a web site. I have used both. Bills work is superb and he says it is guaranteed for life. The Hagerstown shop does nice quality work. Show chrome is expensive.
This is Josh's family's business: http://www.chromeplatingin.com/index.html But he's no longer there.
Not much in Jersey any more, the EPA ran most of them out of town! There used to be several in Central/North Jersey, Mara, Best, Artistic. I think Mara might be the only one in business now, but his quality is sporadic. I've used Super Chrome in Asbury Park for a few things, and most times it came out OK. Couple times it didn't, but they redid it. Prices are mid range. To get real good chrome, you'd have to go to Philly. Frankford, Bill's, Paul's, and a couple more are very good, but priced accordingly. Some can take a loooong time, if you're not a steady customer, Frankford had a grill of mine for 3 years! Did need lots of work on the pot metal, though.
DGM plating in Philly does nice work, also Limbrandis(not sure on the spelling) in Harrisburg PA is top notch.
Thanks for all the replies. Well the Guy in North Jersey was at $650.00 to plate and the Guy fixing it want's $125.00 so it isn't in the budget. I'm going to explore some of the chrome and superchrome powdercoats out there and if all else fails Ill just do wet black to match the paint.
Nice car, it deserves a good chrome grill. Those South American ones don't even re-chrome very well. Get the Drake one!
Got a new grill from Speedway. Im polishing it. Cheapest way out, this thing has been sinking me,lol. Finally got the engine done and ready to drop. So She will be ready for sale very soon now.