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I have a old set of GonBop purchased a year ago that I want to rechrome the side plates. Have anybody performed anything like this? And what did you do with the side plate screws? ( new or rechromed or alternatives )

As far as I know, the chroming process is best left to the experts because it is a very involved process using strong acids for cleaning and degreasing and harsh chemicals for the electroplating solution. The chroming is applied by a process called electroplating which is basically running a current through the workpiece which in turn attracts the chromium molecules from the solution onto the surface of the workpiece. If you are really, really interested in DIY chroming you better start doing lots of reading! And saving your cash because you'll need deep pockets too!
Getting your hardware powder coated might be a more economical alternative, not to mention more environmentally friendly.

I'm familiar with the chrome plating process, I was wonder if anybody ever did this for drums parts in restoring a drum? I'm having a hard time finding a plater that would mess with "little drum parts" as the few I spoken with stated.

Maybe send it to one of the custom drum makers that chrome their own drum parts.

Try a shop that deals with hot rods . They always plate large and small parts.

ChanChanChan..........I had some hardware for a gon bops re-chromed some years ago. The place that I went to at the time was a Harley Davidson Shop. You know a lot of Harley riders get lot's of their motorcyle parts re-chromed all the time. So you can look for a local Motorcyle custom shop and ask around there. If I remember correctly, I had 5 side plates, and a Crown done for 135 dollars, and this was about 6 years ago. Good Luck.

Will.

ChanChanChan wrote:I have a old set of GonBop purchased a year ago that I want to rechrome the side plates. Have anybody performed anything like this? And what did you do with the side plate screws? ( new or rechromed or alternatives )

I looked into the re-chroming situation in the San Francisco Bay Area and it was really bleak. Called all around - shops that specialize in custom motorcycles, jewelry, auto-repair, industrial work, etc. Tried a machinist friend with connections, but even that was over-the-top. All the quotes I got were just crazy expensive. Something like $300+ for a crown and 6 side plates. As bongos mentioned, you might try a custom drum maker. They might be able to throw your stuff in with their next big order. Try JCR or Matthew Smith in Pennsylvania.

As for the side plate screws, just use stainless steel, they're fine. (And I assume you do mean the four screws that go into the wood on each side plate, and not the lugs.)

James

Chan,

You are from Miami like me. In Hialeah (31 St and 16 Ave) there is a place called Best Plating, the guy's name is Luis. They have done rechroming for my conga
hardware for years, they do a great job, but is not cheap. They are the best in So. Fl.

Dario

Thanks Dario.

This conga & tumba , are the set that will go with the lovely pair that I bought from you last year around christmas time