Chrome-plating legislation pending

[FORDification]

Just thought you all might be interested in reading about how Congress is now considering a change in the current laws regarding amounts of hexavalent chromium a worker can be exposed to. The proposed changes are going to drop the amount significantly, and if this is passed, the cost of chrome-plating is going to go through the roof! Here are a couple articles on the subject:

- MotorAge news brief
- Hemmings Motor News article

[flyboy2610]

Leave it to congres to butt in.......

[67fastbackFE]

I thought prices for chroming are already through the roof, this will make it even worse.

[granitestate68]

Can you say Erin Brokavitch??? Isn't that what that whole movie was about. The chemical I mean...

[Comet]

Thanks Keith. I have a ton of stuff on my '61 I want to chrome plate. Better get a move on! In the future, US chromers will only be brokers and then have it all done in Mexico. In the end, the same amount of chroming will continue, IMO. Just moving the "problems" to a different neighborhood.

[greenbank]

It cost me $5K to do:

* front bumper
* rear bumper
* door handles, about half a dozen small trim pieces
* Maybe 100 small pieces like switch bezels, etc.

This on a car without much chrome. Here in WA, it's nuts. Mind, this is "show quality" triple-plated stuff. However, none of it needed much tinkering, and it's a rinky dink English car, nothing like a vintage American machine.

I shudder to think what it would cost to do up the chrome on a vintage caddy.

[bwc302]

Just one more thing to drive up cost for the average Joe.

[hardtailjohn]

Greenbank,
I used to use Wally at Specialty Plating in Mount Vernon when I worked for FFNW. He did great work, and was always reasonable... kinda a small 2 man operation alongside the freeway under the exit on the south end of town (not the last exit, but the one just south of the old elevator??). If he's still there, ya might try him... He also sent me to Burnaby, BC to a guy that chromed aluminum for me and they were really reasonable.
As far as the hex-chrome goes, it's really nasty stuff, and needed some regulation... but as usual, they've gone too far trying to justify their jobs and keep their wages up high, so we get to pay more than one way.
John H.