Morris Minor Owners Club

hello dose any one know the best way to restore chromework.
the chrome work on my dads has seen better days.

Hi, and welcome to the messageboard!

Its often cheaper to buy new chrome from the minor specialists than to have the old chrome re chromed. There are several companies out there who will restore it but its a slow and expensive process. Some of the new chrome doesnt last that long before pitting again though especailly if the car lives outside. Some items like hub caps are available in stainless steel.

Heres a link to ESMs website with the word chrome as a search to give you an idea of whats available and the prices

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/adv ... me&x=0&y=0

The BEST way to restore parts with no dents but pitted chrome is to send them off to a chroming company, it will be more expensive than buying new parts but they are still the original parts and depending on where you get it done the chrome might be better and last longer than that of the reconditioned parts.

ok thanks for your help ill give it a go.

I would get the old stuff stripped and plated as the newly made stuff peels off and tarnishes in a matter of months

Is it down to the metal the chrome goes on to or is it the process thats used nowadays ???. Is it down to the cost of plating and to get a good job done costs twice the cost of a spurious part, is it down to what the morris owner will pay ????

Yes to all your questions! It is both the material and the process that causes the poor chrome parts being sold now and it is because it is done as cheaply as possible. The front and rear full bumpers have recently been produced to a much better standard, although I heard that there is also some cheap rubbish about again. Same with Traveller rear bumpers, all the main suppliers sell the rubbish, although there are apparently better parts available. Having chrome parts properly re-plated will cost far more than new chrome, although it can also be done cheaply if you are prepared to take a chance on the finish and are not too bothered about lifetime. The problem may be that the original parts are not suitable for rechroming due to pitting (Mazak) wear or damage. Certainly not worth trying to re-chrome reproduction parts!

Apart from the bumpers and headlight chromes (also available in various quality) the rest of the small parts can normally be made to last by keeping clean, waxoyl on the back and frequent application of polish.

Hi a lot of you now I use to do a lot off chrome plating as I did it for over 18 years & we did a lot for top leaders in cars I have 5 5 point to make
Point 1
When you are looking for having work re chromed pick the beat you can rusty metal can be cleaned in hydrochloride acid but if rust is bad it will leave holes (pits) which take a lot of work to get these out

Point 2
I used a lot off second hand but new parts very little rust good shape easier to do

Point 3
A lot off early parts where made off brass (head light rims etc ) these do pit but now where as bad as the steel ones

Point 4
The most important one who ever you use make shore they use copper on first as a base coat I put 12-24 hours of copper the thing with copper it's like using filler on walls you put say 3-4 hours first sand the copper get as much as holes as you can then put back in copper tank &keep repeating this you can not put to much copper on
The copper gives it the guaranteed you need nickle /chrome with out the copper is a waste of money
Then 30-45 mins nickle &5-8 mins chrome
There is a thing called double nickle what this is 15-20 mins sem bright nickle then 15-25 bright nickle

Point 5
The last point if the copper is done like I said I have done loads of bumpers over riders I sold some to chaps
in Norway /Sweden they left there cars out in all weathers in clude snow only thing I would say is on the inside (back )off bumpers /over riders put plenty of axlegreas /wax oil as plating when goes in to recess it gets less & less when it get near bottom

neiltomlinson wrote:Hi a lot of you now I use to do a lot off chrome plating as I did it for over 18 years & we did a lot for top leaders in cars I have 5 5 point to make

Whew nearly had a heart attack when I read 5 5 points

Ha ha Yes just notice it late last night