Anybody re-chrome / Chrome Magnum 500's

Since you asked, my bumper in question was done by Bumper Boys.  I figured it was a driver and thought that they might be good for a driver.  They were a price leader.  Unfortunately, the first one lasted less than a year and the 2 year warranty continues counting when the bumper isn't on the car so the 4 months I waited for the re-chrome counted against my warranty and I had the privilege of paying for shipping from their location so I got it back earlier.  I was told that they wouldn't re-chrome it again, even if it had flaws within the warranty period.  Being the price leader didn't work out and I have 3 more bumpers from them wrapped in the attic.  I guess if I don't let the car stay outside, they might be ok for a while.

Have 2 SCs.  

The aftermarket wheels look good.  I was going to go with them but then I saw a set in Jerry Tucker's garage in NC on a lift and another set or 2 at swap meets.  The chrome is thin and nice enough if you garage your car.  If you don't, you will be chasing blead through rust.  It will come through the pores in the chrome.  Zuds or Barkeepers friend will keep it at bay for a while but you will be spending time on them keeping them nice.  That is different from the factory chrome magnums that lived a long time before they needed attention.  Unfortunately, 50 years is too long of a time for exposed chrome and most of them have some problems these days.  Jerry's wheels had very few miles and were rusting.  He was not terribly happy with them.  

If one brand is better, I would consider new but I don't know that that is the case.  I even considered buying new and sending them out for chrome.  

So I am back to asking if anyone has done it.  All I want is 60's or early 70's production quality.

Thanks,

Dave

All chrome plating is thin. As Steve pointed out, it's the nickle underneath the chrome that gives it the depth. Most of the cheap plating work uses very little nickle due to the cost of it. If you take care of the Wheel Vintique wheels by keeping them waxed, they'll hold up just fine.

Yeah, Bumper Boyz stuff has been garbage for about 20 years now. They use to have a good product but when they moved their operation to Mexico, the quality went in the dumpster. They were very popular in the Mopar world 20+ years ago. I have some friends that still have bumpers from them that look great now and they have had them on their cars for 30+ years now.

Yes, understood - I was just throwing out some alternatives. I have a set of the Magnum 500’s, but I think they’re overdone and a bit boring. Many new cars in the 60’s & ‘70’s came with wheel covers or hubcaps, so I think the Magnum’s are now ‘over-represented.’ I myself will be going with wheel covers on my ‘69 AMX. 

If you want to get a set of wheels chromed, then I would contact forum member easydean - he has a USA source for re-chroming and they will probably be able to do wheels. However, the cost per wheel will be up there, and a lot more than the $250 per wheel for the Wheel Vintiques ones from Summit listed above.