Couple of Chrome peices I did

[TomH 1,968]

Hey all:
Well, when dad and I are not out in the hills trying to find yellow stuff.....im usually plating car parts and whatever else people want plated.

Here are some 61 Chrysler exhaust tips that were pretty rough to start with.

1 All rusty and crappy.

2 Initial copper plate so I can put lead on it

3 All leaded up and ready to be filed/sanded smooth.

4 After much sanding and copper plating.

5/6 All done and looking much better

Well, the pic order are is messed up...youl figure it out.
Tom

Edited September 25, 2015 by TomH

[weaver hillbille 484]

DId you weld/braze in some Cu plate to clean up those ragged edges? Amazing work!

[TomH 1,968]

No, I have copper foil that I use as a backing when I solder them to build up areas that are gone.

The lead is a lot easier to work with/fix to get it all smooth vs brazing or welding.

Structural parts I will braze or weld.

Tom

[nugget108 1,027]

Great job. They were sure rough to start but the finished product turned out awesome.

[AuTSaurus 33]

Daaaa__ nice work there, Mr TomH.

You are obviously quite an artisan.

[Alwaysdirty 715]

WOW! Seriously nice work dude.

[weaver hillbille 484]

TomH, do you use just straight lead or antimony/lead alloy since it's harder( I think it's harder)?

[TomH 1,968]

TomH, do you use just straight lead or antimony/lead alloy since it's harder( I think it's harder)?

50/50 or 70/30..........the new "lead free" (90/10) does not work, too much tin in it ...it doesn't flow for a crap.

Any time you add tin...it will get harder..but will not flow as good. 50/50 is the bomb!

But, the greenys say if you eat it it will make you sick so its getting hard to find.

Buying the old stuff off of E-bay.

Rosin core works the best. Acid core..not so good.

Tom

Edited September 26, 2015 by TomH

[TomH 1,968]

Just a side note..........

I enjoy making silk purses out of sows ears

This little side job I have really lets me get the creative juices flowing and inventing on how

to fix the parts.

Most plating shops will not take the time required to do the part right.

Got a good bunch of guys I do work for that don't mind me taking the time and paying for the part as long as its done

correctly.

Been really fortunate to do some one/off parts for cars and a Futurama bus from the 50s. (the mirrors)

Been doing it for 14 yrs and love it!
Tom

Edited September 26, 2015 by TomH

[LukeJ 1,360]

Totally awesome dude !!

Really, nice work Tom.

[Cowkiller 100]

Tom you do fine work!

[Hoser John 1,209]

Looks nice but missing the nickel plating needed to maintain gloss and longevity. Great repair job. John

[frank c 589]

Beautiful Tom !!

[newriverblake 36]

Nice work Tom, you should Crome plate your 5000 control box and your D-11 talk about some Bling!!!

[TomH 1,968]

John: There is nickel on it. That's part of the process. Copper/nickel/chrome.

Blake: I've plated a hermit pick...only one in the world like it and Bunk has it.

Tom

[Mike Furness 1,077]

Nice work Tom! If my brother hasn't had some parts done back East I may bring them back and have you do them. From the pics I know he would be very satisfied ... he is a bit of a perfectionist!

[El Dorado 936]

Dang Tom, that is really cool. Hard to imagine something that bad can be made whole again

[Swampstomper Al 1,125]

That is seriously some really excellent workmanship you've done there, Tom..!

I helped a vendor buddy of mine for a dozen years work the SE US Car Corral & Swap Meet show

circuit and I've seen it all; wayyy more bad than better, re-popped pieces included..

So it makes me feel hopeful every time I meet someone who still does any type of restoration properly..

SA

PS -- If you always take pix of your work progression and wouldn't mind having reflection-free photos of

the finished chromed items instead of Dali-esque shots of yourself & work space background, shoot me a PM..

It's easier than you think once you know the secrets..