Hello.

I am new to this so forgive me if this question has been posted before.

I will be needing to have the Windshield Posts and Tail Light housings on my rough old 54 XK120 OTC re-chromed. I have been told that, over and above the usual quality issues with any re-plating job, the fact that these are aluminum castings raises a number of issues. Is this true? Are there particular vendors who have shown proven success with these parts for any of you?

Thanks for the help!

Eric

Submitted by zurdo_1@univis… on Mon, 07/30/2007 - 12:22

my oldest Jag is a 1965, so I have no experience re-chroming aluminum, (if indeed it is possible, and if indeed the original parts were chromed aluminum), so all I can suggest is to visit www.hemmings.com to see the Ads from re-chromers/platers who advertise their Triple Chrome Plating services specifically for Jaguar, they are mostly in the East coast. Some of those businesses have been around for decades.

I would call them, ask the question and if you are satisfied, ask for references so you can verify the quality with actual customers.

At one point in 1998 I was following a XK-140 Coupe restoration article in Jaguar World Monthly magazine, and I remember they had to re-chrome the window surrounds, only to discover they had actually "shrunk" and "distorted" when they got them back from the plater. That was in the UK. I don't know of any horror stories like that in the US but better be informed.

good luck.