Bridgestone Motorcycle Parts Discussion Board

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: rwgibbon on December 17, 2015, 06:44:15 AM

Title: Atlas Plating
Post by: rwgibbon on December 17, 2015, 06:44:15 AM
Has anyone had chrome plating done by Atlas Plating of Houston, Texas?

They quoted me the best price for re-chroming a Bridgestone racer
fuel tank. But I have never used them and have concerns.

Thank you.

Randy
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: dcr on December 17, 2015, 09:29:12 AM
I have not but will definitely say you should do your research. I got an awesome price from a company in Philadelphia to chrome a rear fender and shocks for my 175. I shipped everything to them in January of 2015 and paid them in February. Its now December 2015 and they still have my parts and money. No response to calls, texts or emails. I did some searching when things started to get suspicious and found BBB complaints describing the same situation. They run odd hours out of an old garage in a bad part of town so a shop visit without a sidearm is out of the question.

Good luck Randy.
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: moonpup on December 17, 2015, 09:49:38 AM
That totally bites Dan. Maybe you could find some fellow BS'ers close to you and get a posse together and go tar & feather the guy! He definitely deserves it.  >:(

Randy, when I lived in Houston, I used a real good chrome place for bumpers and such when restoring my 240Z. Unfortunately, they've since gone out of business. Hadn't heard of Atlas specifically, but at the time, there were many to choose from. If you end up doing business with them, let me know how it turns out, as I will eventually be moving back there.

edit:  Randy, I just put a feeler out on the Z forum to see if any Hou. members had any reviews on this place. If I get any feedback, I'll report in.....
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: rwgibbon on December 17, 2015, 10:31:57 AM
Thank you. I look forward to your feedback.

Randy
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: dcr on December 17, 2015, 10:57:25 AM
Lesson learned. Had i done a simple Google search on them, I would have noticed 6 BBB complaints that went unresolved and found some specific complaints on their business practices.
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: rwgibbon on December 17, 2015, 03:37:25 PM
dcr,

I took your advice and Googled them.

Only one negative comment and many
good comments.

After X-mas I'm going to send a tank to them.
I'll post how it turns out.

Thanks for the idea of Googling them.

Randy
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: dcr on December 17, 2015, 03:51:08 PM
The newest generation, "Millennials" I think they are referred to as, do nothing before "googling it". For many of us, it's not an automatic function.

Dan
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: slawsonb on December 17, 2015, 04:09:10 PM
Google is your friend!
...bert
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: moonpup on December 17, 2015, 04:39:22 PM
So you mean I've been pestering the good folks over on the Z forum for nothing?

Oh well, they're use to it..... guess I'll just go back to pestering you guys!  ;D :o ;D
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: coxy on December 18, 2015, 12:35:35 PM
Make sure they copper plate or it's probably not worth the money
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: rwgibbon on December 18, 2015, 02:11:29 PM
The quote they gave is for Strip, Polish, 2 layers of Nickel then Chrome.

I plan on sending a gas tank to them after Christmas. I let everyone know
how my experience goes.

They said current turn around time is two to three weeks.

Randy
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: slawsonb on December 18, 2015, 03:19:22 PM
Good Luck, Randy! Thanks for braving trying a new supplier. We can always use a new/competitive/quality source.
...bert
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: Chibi62 on December 18, 2015, 07:28:48 PM
Yes, I have used Atlas over the past few years. They plated several parts for a custom bike I built, along with the chrome parts from my last Chibi restoration. I was very pleased with their work. My parts took about 4-5 weeks to be returned. I'm sending several more parts to them in earlier January. I dealt with a fella called Majic.

My experience has been positive.

Kevin
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: rwgibbon on December 18, 2015, 08:38:38 PM
Great to hear.

Thank you Kevin.

Randy
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: coxy on December 21, 2015, 01:03:02 PM
randy
I hope your gas tank is in really good condition for plating as without the copper plate any imperfection will show through .maybe in the states using cyanide in the first stage of copper plating has been outlawed ? my local plater is probably the best in oz though expensive .I have recently had a rear guard plated at the cost of $360 au .this guard I thought was only fit for the bin it was dented and the rust had almost eaten right through it they fixed the dints and filled all the pitting .the only way to tell how bad it actually was is from the underside .it is an amazing job I wish I had taken before and after shots  .I will post pics of a comparison with the tank that came from the same bike though the tank is in a lot better condition .this tank will be plated by them after the bung is welded .they copper plate the tanks to the highest standard before the nickel and chrome that includes plating out pin holes filling small dents so the use of a liner is not needed. the cost of getting a tank done is nearly $1000 au .according to my bank this morning   the exchange rate to the us dollar is 68cents it may pay off for anyone to ship to them they are called electro plating technologies in Queanbeyan nsw Australia 
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: coxy on December 21, 2015, 03:46:33 PM
It's hard to take pictures of chrome
Wrong pic will take photos from my camera my phone is not really any good
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: rwgibbon on December 21, 2015, 04:43:27 PM
The tank is in the mail and on its way to Atlas.

The tank was in good shape. But it had minor blistering
of the chrome.

They had told me it would be a two to three week
turnaround.

I'll keep you posted. (I have my fingers crossed)

Randy
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: rwgibbon on December 31, 2015, 04:26:55 PM
Atlas Plating has my tank and are evaluating it for
repair, chrome plating, and cost. It has two very
small dents on the front of the tank by the badges.

From my discussion with them they seem very professional.

I'll keep everyone posted as I learn more.

Randy

Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: CL-100 on February 07, 2016, 12:06:21 PM
Randy,

I was wondering how the chrome plating of your tank was going?  I'm looking for a new plater since Brown's closed and wondered about your experience with Atlas.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: rwgibbon on February 07, 2016, 03:16:35 PM
The tank is done and is on its way back to me.
It took six (6) weeks.

They sent me pictures of the completed tank. The pictures
look good. But I will let you know once I have it back in my
hands.

It cost more than I was expecting. Total cost plus shipping
was $750. They gave original quote of $250 to $350.

I will add pictures once I have the tank.

Randy
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: slawsonb on February 07, 2016, 04:55:37 PM
Hope it's awesome Randy. The 2X+ the quoted cost trick is not cool.
...bert
Title: Re: Atlas Plating
Post by: rwgibbon on February 08, 2016, 03:18:23 PM
Bert,

Even if the tank is perfect, I'm not happy with price.

But I was spoiled before using Ron Brown. Ron did great
work and kept the price reasonable.

The other quotes I got from two other platters were $600
to $700.

Once I get the tank back I will post photographs.

Randy