OK,

Recently bought a 1985 Z28 that needs work.
Had a really bad leak at the valve covers among other things.
Pulled the covers off and instead of repainting decided to try something else. Wanted a similiar look to the silver the TPI cars had.
They were media blasted with an aggressive grit. Then a plate only. Yes that is chrome plating without any polishing. Much cheaper that way.
I really like the look and happy with the results.
Now to see how it looks when I re-install.

 

Jimmy,

I like that it different. Sure brings them out.

 

Thanks,

I may do some of the accessory brackets the same finish.
Thought about the air breather but repainting that instead. Didn't want it to overpower the engine bay with this finish. Want it to be a nice touch.

The 85 may take a back seat real soon though. Picking up a 1988 GTA tomorrow. Not sure what I'll do with either at this point. The GTA has some title issues and if that can't be resolved it may be used to create a unique 85 camaro or a GTA clone on a z28 chassis. LOL. Hope to just restore the GTA though.

If I proceed more with the 85 engine bay I post more pics of the matte chrome finish. Price for the Matte chrome is actually similiar to Powder Coat.

 

Looks nice. What does a chrome dip cost you in your neck of the woods?

 

To get the clean and plate (no polishing) these are $35 each. $70 for the pair. To have them polished up to a mirror they go up to $175 each $350 for the pair.

 

They look good. I'm going to do something similar. I'm going to take the stock ones off, & sand blast/powdercoat them chevy orange. I'm also going to do the chrome air cleaner also. So all 3 pieces (valve covers + chrome air cleaner) in Chevy orange.

Similar to this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRO-141-780/?rtype=10

While spending quite a bit less!!!

 

I'm not aware of a polishing step needed after chroming. Once the chrome is plated over the nickel it comes out shiny. Buffing is typically performed during the copper plating stage. Care to detail the process? Perhaps I misunderstood your post. This is throwing me:

 

I was simply stating the 2 differant costs. The picture of the valve cover was a strip and plate with no polishing. The polishing is what brings out the shine.
The polishing would be done before getting plated of course. Chrome is only as shiny as the surface its plated onto. Send dull parts like mine in and they come out like you see. They did get brighter but nothing like bumpers as you can well see. If I wanted to have show chrome valve covers theres going to be several hours of hand finishing before being plated driving the cost up much more.

 

I've debated on getting chrome valve covers. Can't wait to see them next to your TPI. That will help me decide. Otherwise I'm going to paint mine red.

 

chrome doesnt get you home. haha. no i like what you did with those covers. nice job.

 

These are going on a Carbed 305 in an 85 z28. I wanted the similiar look the TPI cars had with the silver valve covers. I should get it all wrapped up this weekend. Been sorting out some things with a recent purchase of an 88 GTA.
Also these are not the typical chrome. No polishing means it doesn't shine like what everyone thinks of chrome. I got the idea to have brackets done like this initially when there was a production run of table brackets at the shop and they stripped in acid to remove anything besides steel. Then they were plated. The finished part was just nice and clean.
I'll be sure to post the finished pics when done. Now I wish I had taked pictures of the engine bay before tearing it apart! Doh!

 

Maybe its just me or how the picture is taken, but that plating looks just like "rattlechrome" in a can. I'd like to see some better pics of these.

 

Its a cell phone pic. Its a similiar color to the rattle can but its real plating on there. A lot more durable than the spray can chrome.

I really don't have a way to take better pictures of them now.
I'll try to capture them on the car when its all put back together. I'll use a real camera to show the texture/finish.