Project Steph's 1978 Honda Civic 1200

[Steph]

really? chrome plating is traditionally an economical process.

I think you'll find the expense is involved in supplying raw pieces which require a lot of prep work before they can be chromed.

That's the trap, if you want pieces to have a show finish, you have to pay someone probably three times as much as the plating process to cover their labor.

If you look over in the 'corner' of any electroplating shop, you'll see a large buffing wheel and maybe a long belt sander too, which is where they do all the special jobs that require more than the regular pickle can provide. You'll also notice it's filthy black in that corner.

For the record, I used to send in 100s of lengths of tube and bar to be chrome plated, not to mention car and bike bits I've done for myself over the years, and it's always been a reasonably priced process, like nobody is getting rich doing it (from what I've witnessed). On single items they will sting you, but a decent amount will get a more reasonable price. I expect the inspection plate will be $10 or thereabouts, as a part of a job that will have about a dozen pieces in it.

I had some parts chromed recently on the Honda C90 so I'm still reasonably current on my pricing. Not to mention the quote I got on my bumpers, which have a few little 'sharp' dents (size of a match head), that will require some welding, and he quote me $150 including stipping, etc. That was about 3 years ago, from memory.

p.s. Kurt, that valve cover would have been a huge job, so it's no surprise he charged you a $1000 for it. I wouldn't polish one for a $1000 to be honest, it was that much work.

[Kurt]

Thx, I think it was Steve that got the big quote for the valve cover. Justin had mine done years ago when he still had a contact.

I think the cost around Canada (and perhaps the USA?) comes from the chemicals. I am not even sure if a 'show' chrome shop exists in Vancouver anymore. The environmental regs around here are really strict and killed most off. I do know that most of our 1st gen bumpers come in quoted at around $400 each around here and thats just the regular chroming - no repairs. I have a feeling its more affordable down there. I will have to get a quote on something small, but I suspect, from what I researched in the past, we (in Canada) would be dinged 50 to 100 for that one piece :(

[Steph]

That makes perfect sense, because those places give off all sorts of gases that shouldn't be floating around... well, people!

We have industrial areas all over Adelaide, and last time I checked, there were 6 chrome platers, with 3 offering specialised services, such as stripping, polishing, and all manner of coatings, such as gold, silver, cadmium, chrome, etc. I know one chrome plates plastics as well.

The one that quoted me on the bumpers backs onto a suburban street, with houses all along the opposite side of the road. That can't be too healthy, but those guys have been working in there for decades, and they're still hanging in there. A bit of cyanide gas never hurt anybody... :P

[steve.ewing@ottawa.ca]

I did get my valve cover chromed and it was around $350. My bumpers were $850 each and that included reparing rust holes in both corners of the rear bumper. He has guaranteed that they are better than new now and will not rust through again. Still, at those prices, you start to lose your apetite for shiney things. I would love to do what you're doing Steph (well, maybe like is more accurate) but I don't see a day when I can allow myself the time. I think Kurt is correct about the expenses put on these guys for environmental reasons. You can still get it done but you're going to have to pay for it.

[Steph]

I would love to do what you're doing Steph (well, maybe like is more accurate) but I don't see a day when I can allow myself the time.

Hey Steve, you make a good point. What I'm doing is effectively putting a huge amount of my physical resources towards this, which leaves little for anything else, other than walking the dog, and household duties, with the later often taking a back seat to productivity in regards to the Civic. I also notice that I'm often grumpier from aches and pains, and quite honestly, that's not how I want to spend my golden years. I wanna be swimming in my neighbours pool with my friends, like in Cocoon!

I figure I'll get all the hard work out of the way now, and move onto 'softer' projects later in life... easier on my aching bones. :P

$350 for the valve cover was a steal!!! the bumpers... not so much, but he may have a higher standard than the place where i got my quote. I must admit, $150 is too low, but these guys do heaps, so they likely are faster at it, as in, better practiced. He may up the price when he realises I'm after a trophy, not just some 'tidy' bumpers.

[Bill]

Yes, I am noticing that my "Retirement" is pretty much upside down as well...

[Steph]

Yes, I am noticing that my "Retirement" is pretty much upside down as well...

I think everybody should take off 3-5 years from work in the middle of their working lives if they can, and get all the stuff they want done in that time, like renovating, fixing, making, and restoring (save travel for later), then if they can bear to, they can return to work comfortable in the knowledge they got the stuff dun that they always wanted to... rather than sacrificing yourself to tha man, and for what? A piece of land the size of a postage stamp with a use-by-date house built on top? A slap on the back, a pocket watch, and before you know it... whoa... hang on, sorry, I have to save this stuff for my manifesto, I can't publish it here... :P

[Thor]

Agreed,
''retirement'' is a misnomer.
An 8-day rebuild has taken me 2 months so far [and counting] :evil:

[Steph]

Agreed,
''retirement'' is a misnomer.
An 8-day rebuild has taken me 2 months so far [and counting] :evil:

...still, chipping away has its merits... gives you more time for innovation, contemplation, and spreading out the frustration

[Thor]

[quote="Steph]
still, chipping away has its merits... gives you more time for innovation, contemplation, and spreading out the frustration[/quote]
True, and it does not help fitting a state-of-the-art alarm to a 1979 :shock: camper. and central locking and electric windows and DVD and rear-view cameras [in Accord wing mirror shells], and reverse cameras, as well as a simple sound system and built-in subs, lap-top computer, oh and room for my cripple buggy [osteo-arthritis in my knees], the dog and even a passenger [somewhere]
Then my Civic is next, and my race car project [Civic again], my Rover 3500 V8S, Sunbeam Rapier, and sorting out Mike's race car. I reckon that I have 2 years before my knees give out, Doc already wants to play with my right knee [not yet, too much to do].
Next week, when I've done all this, I might have a rest as I am running my wife's pub while she sorts out some family issues.
Back to the thread now,sorry for the hijack
Pete