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MG TD TF 1500 - Cost to Chrome

I would like to hear from someone who has had their late TD or TF round tail light plinths re-chromed this year.
What might it cost in the US?
No repair, just chrome.

Thanks guys

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

Depends on the condition they are in now. They are made from Mazak, also known as monkey metal. This rots under the chrome and becomes full of small holes, similar to wood worm. The only way to repair this is to strip the plating and replate with a heavy coat of copper, fill the holes with solder and then another coat of copper. This is expensive. I know some platers try to polish out the holes but this is rarely successful. Also the definition of the top rib is lost. I tried to repair mine but eventually bought new ones. I think they available in brass. I picked up an over rider from the platers yesterday. I had polished through the original plating by too vigorous use of Solvol Autosol. The platers stripped the original chrome, I polished the bare steel and the platers rechromed. The cost was £25



Cheers

Jan
J Targosz

Is Mazak & monkey metal the same as die cast? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

I don't remember the exact figure, but it was over $100 that I was quoted to re chrome mine and they don't look that bad. I was going to have mine re chromed, but found it cheaper to buy new ones from Moss at $44.95 ea. To my surprise, the new ones are no different in weight or size. The screw holes were in the perfect position as the originals, they look real nice and are a perfect match. PJ
Paul S Jennings

P Hehir, Any cheap cast part made with a high zinc content is referred to as monkey, pot, white, die cast.....

Paul.... American jobs. Kidding, sometimes it is just cheaper to buy a new part. It all adds up.

....
MAndrus

Paul, thanks. That is just what I wanted to know.
It sounds like you were pleased with the quality of the Moss repros.

Tom
T Norby

On many of these the mounting screw holes are in poor condition and the pot metal they are made of tends to bubble. To chrome an old one requires many steps, copper plating, solder to fill in the pits, copper plating again, then nickel plating, and after polishing chrome plating. Much better buying new ones. Usually I try to stay away from reproduction parts due to fitting problems I have had but in the case of the Moss tail light plinth I find them to be a good product.
F. Driver

I bought mine new from NTG. Great price, 13 year's ago still look great!
Len Fanelli


FWIW Tom

I just sent my two self made brass locking cams for my Silent Travel doors latches to be chromed to -

Superior Chrome Plating Inc.
Chroming auto parts since 1952.
7326 Domino Lane
Houston, TX 77076
713.671.0100

The quote was in the $35 to $45 per each

Actual cost is going to be $104.00 with all the other charges associated - Environmental and Return Post.
I have already polished them.

So working on that and the fact that the rear light plinth is at least 50 times larger.

You could be way better off just buying new ones.

Rod

R. D. Jones

Over the years I have had many parts replated. I recommend, very strongly, that you find a plater that will strip the chrome and return the items for you to fettle and polish. The cost of welding, brazing, filing, straightening and polishing is easily half the total cost and an owner will do a much more sympathetic job. A buffing wheel, fitted to one side of a bench grinder, may take some time but will do an excellent job

Jan T
J Targosz

This thread was discussed on 09/07/2015

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