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I just dropped off a BUNCH of stuff at the chrome plating shop today.  The fun thing about this shop is that it’s a third generation family owned place and “Grandpa”  who still works the shop on some days, used to do at least some the chrome work for the Vendo factory here in Kansas City back in the day. :happydrinkers:

I thought the prices were pretty fair but I‘m hoping some of you will chime in with the prices you usually pay for chrome work just to give others an idea of what this stuff costs.

They charged $65 each for the large door coin bezels and the large Vendo coin changer bezels.  The bezels where all in pretty good shape with little to no pitting.

They charged $75 for a Vendo 44 bezel that was in very bad shape.  He said they can’t make that bezel come out perfect but a 44 bezel is hard to find so what are ya going to do?

The coin release levers, VCC coin entry bezels, bottle openers and crank handles were all $20 each.

I’ve only used this shop once before and their workmanship was great so I’m excited to see how it comes back this time.

Sounds like very good pricing. Please let us know how the new batch turns out. I'd be interested in sending some items.
Thanks,
Creighton

Who are they? I am looking for a good chrome shop to do some of my chrome work I need done. Do they have a web site? Thanks

Please post thier contact info. I may send some stuff out to them.

Thanks

ttt   For those who do not know-ttt means: To the top. Brings the Subject back up to the top.

I'll be very interested to know how the chrome turned out.  I know you will keep us posted.  Thanks.

I just saw this...

I can't recommend the shop.  They took months to get the work done and then the final result wasn't that great.  They did great on the easy stuff such as handles and bottle openers but some of bezels should have been better.  :down:



The search continues...

I found a restoration company near me - the name is "Cruisin' Classics" and they are located in Salem, Oregon. Phone # is (503) 378-7833. They specialize in show chrome and did a great job for me. I have been back a couple more times and their prices are very reasonable. I had my crank handles polished and they look almost like the new chrome ones you can get from Fun-Tronics...they cost about $15 to do. I also had a compressor line cover polished and you would swear it's been chromed ($10). I took a couple more handles in and a large door bezel for a Vendo 81. Again, $15 for the handles and the large door bezel  (chromed, not polished) was $45 and the coin lever (chromed) was $15.

They don't have a website and I only talked to one of their employees, but I did mention that I would be giving their phone # out. If you have any questions, call them or you can send me an email at "cokecolaman at comcast dot net".

I will try to get some pictures taken tonight.

I tried to take pictures, but they didn't turn out very well...the chrome acts like a mirror and I was getting reflections and it wasn't doing it justice.

Try putting the camera on a high ISO setting with no flash

I have 6 small pieces at a chrome shop right now here in St. Louis, Triangle Plating...
their site looked good and he's charging me $15 for a bottle opener... They're for my NK cooler
and are about the size of a StarrX opener... should have them back in about 2 weeks... also doing coin release for my Pepsi 81 (bezel was already done). 6 pieces all about that size - $112 dollars....
I might take the front piece off my Coin Changer and have it done depending on the turnout...

He had a few gumball machines at his house and small Salesman samples of cast iron stoves all chromed!... hope my stuff turns out as nice.

will keep you guys posted if you want me to...

Eric, Please do,  a good chrome s hop, with resonable prices and quality work is hard to find.
While i'm happy with Courtesy Chrome, I'm always looking for the best deal.

I just sent a vendo coin changer plate as well as the small one near the coin slot to New England chrome, $75.00 for the two. Thought it was fair I'll let you know how they turn out.

Eric,

How did your parts turn out?

I have tried several Chrome places but I keep going back to Houston Speed & Sport.  They have years of experience in Coke machine, jukebox and antique auto stuff.  They have been pretty high on the prices but I don't think they are going to be much over what you said on the bezels.  I know these guys are among the best and I have been sending them stuff for around 32 years.