This original 1929–’31 Chevrolet grille shell arrived stripped down to raw brass, revealing both the advantages and challenges of working with the material. Brass is an excellent substrate for plating, but after decades of use, it can develop cracks, splits, dents, and inconsistencies that have to be addressed before it can ever receive a beautiful chrome finish. The first step was metal finishing the shell, using a large grinding disc to identify high and low spots across th

When BBT Fabrications set out to reimagine this 1959 Chevrolet Impala, the goal was anything but a traditional bright-chrome finish. The car’s deep blue paint, refined bodywork, and modernized details called for something darker and more understated, so the exterior trim, grille, and bumpers were finished in black chrome to complete the car’s stealth-inspired look. Black chrome is all about balance. The finish needs to retain the depth, reflectivity, and precision expected fr

These cast aluminum rear bumpers from a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado arrived showing decades of severe corrosion, erosion, and material loss. Once electro-stripped, the true extent of the deterioration became even more apparent. The restoration began with careful grinding and sanding to determine how much of the original aluminum could be saved without distorting the shape of the bumper. Areas that could not be recovered through sanding were marked and sent out for aluminum welding

These valve covers required extensive polishing and surface preparation before they were ready for chrome. Starting with machined aluminum, the surfaces were carefully refined to remove machining marks and imperfections while maintaining the shape and crisp details of each piece. Proper preparation is critical in chrome work—the final finish can only be as good as the surface underneath it. After polishing and preparation, the valve covers moved through the plating process, i

This vintage dining set received a full transformation, bringing its retro character back to life with a fresh, polished finish. The table and chairs combine bright chrome with bold red upholstery and a custom red-and-white tabletop design, creating a classic diner aesthetic with plenty of personality. It’s a great example of how the right refinishing work can take a well-loved piece and make it feel like a centerpiece all over again.

Some projects come through the shop that remind us why craftsmanship still matters. This Duesenberg dash panel was one of those projects. Originally designed to be the centerpiece of one of America's most iconic luxury automobiles, the panel features an intricate engine-turned finish—a decorative pattern that became synonymous with high-end automobiles of the 1920s and 1930s. Recreating that look while delivering a flawless plated finish requires precision at every step. The

We recently had the privilege of restoring the tailpiece and tuners from a beautiful 1966 Gibson Johnny Smith archtop guitar for longtime customer Stephen Talbot. The original hardware had lost much of its luster over the years, but our team carefully restored each piece to preserve its vintage character while giving it a brilliant, factory-quality finish. What makes this project even more meaningful is the trust behind it. This is the third restoration project Stephen has en

This original pair of 1957 Oldsmobile vent window posts began the restoration process by being electro-stripped to their original copper base and glass bead blasted to create a clean foundation for refinishing. The posts were carefully metal finished using a combination of grinding, block sanding, and detail sanding to remove waves, old plating, and surface imperfections. Special attention was given to the intricate contours and tight corners to ensure every visible surface w

This rear bumper from a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 arrived with previous modifications that added an extra level of complexity to the restoration process. After being electro-stripped to bare metal and glass bead blasted, the bumper was carefully inspected and prepared for metal finishing. Grinding, air filing, and hand blocking were used to reveal and correct waves, low spots, and surface imperfections. Because of the modified areas, the bumper received an initial copper plating to

This 1936 Buick grille is made entirely of pot metal, a material known for severe pitting, corrosion, and deterioration over time. To begin the restoration, the grille was electro-stripped to bare metal and glass bead blasted to create a clean foundation for repair. Inspection revealed extensive pitting, several bent grille bars, and a crack in the lower center section. The bars were carefully straightened and aligned, while the crack was reinforced using a copper cable embed