Is chrome reused?

I was hoping you can help me. I gave in some of my automobile parts to be chromed a few weeks ago. When I called in for a price the guy told me..."your stuff is not too bad", and that he thinks he can give me a good deal. so than he says..."Let me strip your stuff and if you don't need any sand belting I'll plate all your stuff for $185," so I said Great!

A week later i call him and he tells me that he needs to belt sand some of my parts (like the bumper) and than quotes me with a price of $675. so i tell him sorry no way, and than asked for my parts back. to make the long story short, to this day i still cant them back. the latest news is that he accidentally plated my parts and that he needs to re-strip them before he gives them back to me. So I ask him why? and he tells me "i can reuse the chrome," can you tell me if that's true? Is chrome expensive? Because he charged me $75 in advance to strip my parts. Was I conned? Will it now be a problem to have my parts rechromed? please help. I don't know the technology and it seems I am being taken for a ride. thank you very much Alex

Alex Avezbakiyev
- hollis NY

Hi, Alex. We have a Chrome Plating FAQ that will help you understand what is and isn't involved in chrome plating if you wish.

From this distance it is not possible to say whether you were conned. But I must add that most of us have selective recall -- so while your story may well be basically true, I'm sure the shop owner would quote the conversations somewhat differently. But, no, the chrome cannot be re-used, and it will actually cost the shop money to strip the parts -- so the reason he wants to strip the parts before returning them is to avoid giving you something for nothing, not to save himself money. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Brick, NJ