polishing metal?

[derrick1623]

we all want chromed out parts...

i know the basic steps to getting that finish from metal, but i would like it if someone could tell me(or show me) how i would go about "chroming out" my say, valve cover?!?!

 

[Protege5Gurly]

Polishing metal at home almost never turns out WELL. You might get the metal somewhat shiny, but never mirror like.

Your best bet it to find a good chrome plating shop and take your parts there. If you want the valve cover to be done you will either need a spare to chrome and swap out or have the car sit in the garage for a few days while your stock one gets done. Most shops will also polish metal, but IMHO chrome always looks better for engine parts.

Pe@ce

 

[MP3gal]

Isn't that really expensive? I think chrome looks great too but have never really considered it just because it looks very pricey.

 

[Protege5Gurly]

To get all my parts done it was a little under $300.

Pe@ce

 

[changedman]

how long of a process is this? drop the car off for a few days or ?

 

[Protege5Gurly]

Most shops will say it takes a week but its really only like 2 days for a job the size of mine.

You just drop the parts off --- not the car. In my case I pulled everything off that I wanted chromed (yes I drove around w/o a battery tie down) and gave them to the shop. I was lucky enough to have a spare valve cover from a friend that I used for the chrome then just swapped them out and gave my stock one back to him. In most people's cases you will either need to buy another valve cover to chrome and then swap out, or simply put the car in a garage for a few days and live w/o driving it.

Pe@ce