The-plating my 1949 Kaiser

[JoeKeys2010]

Here is all of my chrome that is headed to Atlanta for re-plate. I drop it off on Thursday.

[G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)]

How Much they going to charge now Day's ? Example Bumpers ...
 

[BigDave LM6174]

Good picture, take the same after picture.

[JoeKeys2010]

They originally quoted me $1,200 to plate everything on the front of the car.  My car came with a heavy tow bar that was included in that price and I have decided not to put it back on the car.  I also added in the truck trim and the rear bumper so I am not sure the exact amount it will end up being.  Once I drop it off in Atlanta on Thursday I'll have a better idea and will let you know.  I have used these people before on my 64 Ford and was pleased with their work.  They plated everything on it about 5 years ago and so far no issues.

[Fid]

I believe those grill bars and headlight rims are actually stainless steel. If that's the case, they can't be replated and that will save you some $$.  Perhaps they can polish those parts.
Joe Frazer, chime in if that's the case as I do believe  there is some stainless among these parts but I can't swear to it. I know the head light rims are for sure.

[JoeKeys2010]

Fid the grill bars are not clearly not stainless, the headlight rings are and to your point will not be plated.  They are actually in good shape.

[joefrazer]

Unfortunately, the headlight rings are the only stainless items up front. Everything else is either stamped steel or die cast pot metal...which will drive up plating costs. Just be thankful it's not a 58 Buick grille!

[JoeKeys2010]

or a 47 Lincoln.  A buddy of my spent 10K on replating a 47 Lincoln.  Fortunately there is nothing to plate on the sides of the car and very little across the back.  My tail lights are in good shape. My door handles need plating but figured I might get lucky and pick up a set in good condition.

[joefrazer]

49-50K door handles seem to pop up on ebay quite often. I just bought a pair of very nice handles for my Traveler and spent less than 40 bucks including shipping.

[AZ_HJ]

Joe,

I may have 1 or 2 good handles I would sell to you cheap. Let me look in my stash.


Mark

[Fid]

Wow, that's interesting. I've never seen a pitted or rusty '49 / '50 Kaiser grill so I assumed they were stainless. I guess not!  Some Henry J hub caps are stainless and some are chrome and all with the same part number so maybe the grills were too but I doubt it. If you have one and it's chrome, they're likely all chrome.

[JoeKeys2010]

My parts car is in the same condition as the driver car.  The bottom grill plate is the only one that is rusted through and it is the same on both cars.  All are very dull.  I wonder if the word Kaiser that is stamped in is supposed to be painted in?  And the Kasier plate with the buffalo, is it supposed to be painted in as well?

[joefrazer]

The grille stamping is unpainted but the hood emblem is finished. The field behind the buffalo should be a semi gloss black while the field behind the K should be a glossier dark green. Attached is a pic of my Traveler...the green on the emblem is one shade too light.

[Kory Fox]

What type of paint do you use for the green and black on the buffalo emblem? Mine needs a little work.

[joefrazer]

I used Testors model car paint. Not very high tech but it's held up well.