Project Steph's 1978 Honda Civic 1200

[Steph]

I do all the prep work then I hand it all over to the plater. It's pretty cheap because they only have to hang them up on the chrome line. The real expense comes with the prep work. If they take an hour to prep a piece, then you can be sure that will add $75-$100 to the cost of that single part. If you take 100 parts in, you're going to have a huge bill at the end. HUGE.

I have 110 separate pieces in my latest lot. I expect it will cost about $200

My estimate is it would have cost somewhere around $2000-$3000 if I hadn't prepped it all myself. maybe more.

The platers were called Windsor Electroplaters but they've changed hands and their name changed to JJ Products. They still advertise for auto part restoration work, so it looks like business as usual.

[Steph]

Finally made it to the chrome platers today. The closer Christmas got, the more nervous I got that they would be too busy to do it this year. Today being December 1st made me even more worried, but it turns out they can do it all for me before the Christmas break. I had officially run out of things to polish to be chromed, other than pulling the rear suspension components off, but that's another job... probably start on it this weekend! :P

I'll post photos of my 112 items when I get them back. :)

[Randy]

I had officially run out of things to polish to be chromed

Steph

I am amazed at the commitment you have to your show car.
If you do get bored there are a lot of members that would surly love to have you polish and chrome parts for them. I would ask but is might cost me a vacation in Canada and this time of year is a bit chilly.

[Steph]

Thanks Randy :)

I sometimes forget that while we are warming up, you guys are... well, skiing. LOL!

[Steph]

It really feels like Christmas this year. I picked all my chrome plating up the other day and it's been like Christmas day ever since. It took 2 days to polish and buff all the pieces, and that was working non-stop. I couldn't stop because it was that exciting. Anyway, it all came out close to perfect. I still have to spend some time getting into all the tight spot with a mini buff wheel/mop on my Dremel, but otherwise the heavy lifting has been done. You may notice the Russel Speed Bleed brake bleeder valves. I even plated the brake disc pads, and the tiny pins that secure the long (stainless) brake pad locating pins. I also chromed the aluminum camber plates.

Here are the first of many photos to come...

[Steph]

I put the hood/b0nnet latch back together tonight. I drilled and tapped the original rivets so I could pull the whole latch assembly apart for cleaning/servicing. Used a little teflon thread tape to keep the M5 screws in place. Seemed to work really well as a locking agent.

[Steph]

Reassembled the wiper motor today. Took a bit of fiddling to get the brushes back in place, but otherwise it was pretty simple to put back together.

[bob78cvcc]

Stunning Steph! Jewelry on wheels!
I can't imagine what the replacement insurance value on your Civic must be!!

[Steph]

Thanks Bob :)

I have agreed value insurance with our local classic car insurer, but it's nowhere near what I have put into the car. The great thing is they let you bump it up to actual value by providing photos of the car (once it's finished). That said, my car is never going to be parked anywhere where it can get pinched. Just the odd car show and for visiting family and friends. I could never relax while it was parked where I couldn't see it!

[Thor]

It truly is a work-of-art, your balance between painted finish and polished/chrome is exquisite.
I really do understand your reticence over leaving it out-of-sight, especially after the hit it took in its previous incarnation.
I cannot think of any other car, let alone Civic that has had more care lavished upon it, not even AX 201, THE Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost is not finished to the same exacting standard.
Superb,
All the best
Pete