Plating costs

[cheeko8080]

I have been working on rebuilding a few double hosers and wanted to have plating done on some of them. The plating work varies between projects but I was wondering what standard costs would be. I sent out an inquiry to a place that's local here in New York (in Queens) called Programatic Platers. They told me that each of my cans would cost $50 to have the work done (with a minimum work order required of $300). The work varied between cans so I found it a little odd that they seemed to have a single rate in mind. Is this price about right? I'll list all the things I was asking about at the bottom of this message. I don't have experience with this place so I also don't know how good their work is. If anyone has a suggestion as to where to go let me know...I live in NY and would like to stay local but I can ship it all out if that is just a better way to go.

satin chrome cans dechromed and then plate with a paintable material (nickel? zinc?)
bare brass cans zinc plated
shiny chrome cans dechromed and then plate with a paintable material (nickel? zinc?)
satin chrome cans dechromed and powdercoated

Clint

[EHowe]

I just had the cans done on my PRAM locally. Paid $150.00, think I will look for a better deal if I do it again. Came out real nice though.
Ed

[Creed]

I have a Voit 50 Fathom body that I need to have rechromed before it would be safe to breathe from. There are no local shops who do anything but industrial chroming, and they aren't interested in my business. The online shops that I've dealt with won't even bother with a return call or email. So, I've been stuck on this project for over a year. This is purely a functional job, since I have no desire to make my regulators "too pretty to dive." If someone has a personal contact in a decent shop that they could share(as I'm sure getting a live person on the phone would help), it would be most appreciated.

[Bryan]

Please see the website store for details. Dave is going to do some more work for us.

[Creed]

Please see the website store for details. Dave is going to do some more work for us.

Bryan,
I can only say but one thing: WOOOT!

[eskimo3883]

I can't say enough about DB's plating. It's really closer to restoration than a simple plating job.

[1969ivan1]

I have had a few things rechromed by Dave and they look better than catalog new in my opinion.

[scubasteve59]

I own a Snark III that I am told he replated before I got it....it's pretty flawless I must say. I still am going to try nickle electroplating just to add to my interests..sure I won't be a threat to DB but can be handy on scuba stuff and the Harley Sprint 350 project I am eyeing.

[simonbeans]

I still am going to try nickle electroplating just to add to my interests..sure I won't be a threat to DB

Boom goes the dynamite?????

[gj1963]

Folks - When I went to get my Overpressure re-chromed I was under the impression DB was not currently plating. I sent it to BAR and finally got it back today. I am quite happy with it for the cost - 110$, both cans and the large washer. Just a data point here. I'm going to want to get the Stream Air I got from swimjim recently chromed soon and hopefully I can get it in line for DB to chrome. I am quite happy with Bar's work but would rather have the work done by someone in the community.

Before:

After:


-Geoff

[scubasteve59]

Interested in seeing how you get the label re riveted on the can. My experience with the Snark was a nightmare.

[Douchebag]

Thanks for the praises guys. I try to do my best on your regs. This is a hobby for me but I do it for the love of these regs.

Steve, be careful if you get into plating. And just remember nickel only won't cut it. But you need to be extremely careful with your waste water and baths. I'm sick of seeing the heavy metal numbers that are tested in the waters that I dive in. One cup of hex chrome on the floor (even if it's concrete) can poison the water table in a half mile radius. Some people may not care but I do, I dive the waters that that crap flows to.

Geoff, I'm not knocking BAR or anything, and maybe it's the lighting, but if that was my rear can and it was supposed to be satin, I would be very angry. In fact, take some good pictures of it in every direction with all sorts of lighting. Then send in that can and I will satin plate it...no charge. You make the comparison. If you like it, make a donation to Bryan's charity.

And if Steve's dynamite goes boom, glad to have you on board.

If you guys ever need help with rivets or metal work or anything let me know...a beer goes a long way with me

[gj1963]

What can I say but that's quite generous.
Bunch of pictures here - natural light, flash and florescent:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vair1961/s ... 007424989/

Yes it is more brushed then satin, and I was not thrilled with it the more I looked.

I'll take you up on that - and happily put in a donation. I'll throw in a case of beer too or a keg of homebrew if you're ever in New Mexico. Let me know what you think.

[Douchebag]

Send it in to Bryan and I'll take care of it.

[gj1963]

I'm game - I dropped it in the post this morning.

Thanks Again
Geoff