Chroming pipes?

[idb]

I have done a bit of a search on this but I thought it might be worth starting from scratch to get an update on folks' experiences and recommendations.

It's time to start restoring the Darmah and my first act is to get some chroming done.
There's not a lot on there but I do need to get the mufflers and headers done.
I have had a crowd in Palmerston North recommended to me but would welcome any other suggestions.

Cheers

[SARGE]

I have done a bit of a search on this but I thought it might be worth starting from scratch to get an update on folks' experiences and recommendations.

It's time to start restoring the Darmah and my first act is to get some chroming done.
There's not a lot on there but I do need to get the mufflers and headers done.
I have had a crowd in Palmerston North recommended to me but would welcome any other suggestions.

Cheers

stay off chrome man .. go with HPC

[What?]

stay off chrome man .. go with HPC

Ordinarily, I would agree, but the man is restoring a Darmah. He needs chrome...
90% of the mission is in finding an outfit that will do used exhaust pipes - many won't touch them.

[imdying]

There's a place in Timaru that is pretty good.

[idb]

There's a place in Timaru that is pretty good.

Yeah, I've heard of them but a friend of a friend got a poor job back from them a while ago.
That's one of the problems with word of mouth I suppose.

Does anyone else know anything about the Timaru crowd?

[Paul in NZ]

I'm sure 'Valley Platers' here in Wellington have a vat for exhausts.

I'll be out that way in the next week or so to ask em about it and if so I'll give you a hoy.

I need to strip a couple of mufflers for repair and replate. Replicas are OK but just don't sound quite 'right' somehow...

[SARGE]

Ordinarily, I would agree, but the man is restoring a Darmah. He needs chrome...
90% of the mission is in finding an outfit that will do used exhaust pipes - many won't touch them.

HPC does a chrome - like coating.. looks great and really weathers well.. and they do used parts

[Hotchefnz]

Just followed up on HPC - I'm impressed with the web site.
I emailed an enquiry and they phoned within an hour talked me through the process, answered some questions - gave me a very very good price on the goods.
I can't wait to see the goods when they get back.

But Thanks for the info SARGE, another great piece of info from this site and I would recommend the service from HPC, and if the product is as good as the service, I will pass this on.

[idb]

Thanks Paul and Sarge.

[imdying]

Yeah, I've heard of them but a friend of a friend got a poor job back from them a while ago.
That's one of the problems with word of mouth I suppose.

Does anyone else know anything about the Timaru crowd?

The work I've had done by them was excellent. The absolute most shocking chrome plating I've ever seen was done by Accord Electroplaters. They are the biggest bunch of fuckin losers I've ever ever seen. I hope the meteorite landed on their building and killed them all. Ahem.

[What?]

HPC does a chrome - like coating.. looks great and really weathers well.. and they do used parts

Oooh errr - that does look rather good. Certainly not the finish I was thinking of (more of an aluminium look)

[Kickaha]

Does anyone else know anything about the Timaru crowd?

They were recommended to me buy one of the polishing outfits in Chch

just remember good chroming relies on good preparation

[classic zed]

Otahu Chrome in Auckland did all the work on my restoration, 6 downpipes, 2 big mufflers and 4 heat shields cost me just over $800.00 they were in pretty bad condition but look like new now

[idb]

Well, I've asked around in the real world as well and Timaru Electroplaters appear to be acknowledged as very reliable and very good operators.

I rang them, they have no problem with pipes and they do all the preparation, cleaning off the crud, buffing out any rust, removing the old chrome.

I dont have much rust to speak of, it's just surface stuff on the chrome so I'm not worried about the pipes ending up too thin.

It just shows, I think, how easy it is for one bad job coupled with word of mouth to really hurt you.

Anyway, I trust the people I've spoken to and I'll give them a go.

I'm fixing the thing up with the intention of taking it to the Isle of Man and a European jaunt next year.

Ohhh yessss!!!!

[Pat]

I like ''classic red'' have used Otahu platers and found them good.I have also used Gisborne electroplaters and Valley platers in the Hutt Valley all with good results but Otahu had the edge , good to deal with and dont mind a challenge
Pat