Chris at Metaloy Metaloy, Industries - Professional Gun Finishing - hard chrome, blue and polymer finish is hard to beat.

Bob

 

Accurate Plating and Weaponry, and Metaloy - both have excellent reputations, but there 'are' more platers out there, and the process rises and falls on the metal prep done prior to the plating.

'Nitex' was a micron-thickness plating that was beyond tough, but it had a dull finish, and I don't think you want that.

Of course, 'Mag-Na-Port' is still around, and they plate, too...

 

Call Colt. See who does it for them.

 

I am in the middle of a project myself. Accurate Plating and Weaponry is going to be my vendor of choice. They have already done the polish work for me, & are waiting for me to send it back to them. I am trying to get some engraving done on it post polish, pre-finish. I like that they do their polish work with the side plate on so you don't get rounded edges. They also spent a good amount of time talking to me about it on the phone in an effort to help me understand my options.

I have been pleased with other aspects of my dealings with them to, but in the interest of brevity, I will simply say they have provided top notch service to this point and their craftsmanship has been excellent. Not heavy handed with the buffer either, a definite bonus!!

 

PS thanks for the post. This is helping remind me I need to turn my box of parts into something special!

 

Here's the top hard chrome platers.
Note that each differs in pricing and in how the final finish looks. Some offer the original matte pearly-gray, to a stainless steel look, to a bright mirror polish.
The final appearance depends on how the metal is processed before plating. Once plated nothing can be changed.
The original matte gray is smooth but reflects less light then bluing.

ACCURATE PLATING AND WEAPONRY 2015 | APWCOGAN
Top reputation, "possibly" the best all around gun refinisher. You just can't go wrong with Cogan. If you want to call to talk over the job you may get Cogan himself. If so, have your phone charged up, he loves talking about the technology.

Ford?s Guns - Custom Refinished Guns and Desert Eagle Sights!
Often thought to be tied with Cogan as the best all around. Better known for their brilliant polish bluing that resembled Colt's Royal Blue but does top quality hard chrome.

Firearms Applications
One of the first to offer hard chrome to the public. They do only the matte gray finish. They're the only one I know of who will also plate the inside of the barrel and chambers. Some other platers think this doesn't really work out.

Metaloy, Industries - Professional Gun Finishing - hard chrome, blue and polymer finish
Been owned by several people, the current has an excellent reputation. Offers only matte gray.

Welcome to TechPlate, Inc. Firearms retail plating price list
Very high reputation, and is big in the air and space field. Offers more types of finishes then anyone.

Elite Custom Plating --  Re-Finishing, Custom Work, Competition Guns
I'm not up on their reputation, but they seem to have a good rep.

Hard Chrome Plating & Electroless Nickel Plating, Armalloy by Mahovsky's Metalife
Been around a LONG time. Offers the lowest prices of them all. Has had an excellent reputation, but lately some complaints.
Communication is often lacking and may be slow.

I suggest carefully reading each site for details. Some may offer reduced rates for a single part like a frame.

 

Here's the top hard chrome platers.
Note that each differs in pricing and in how the final finish looks. Some offer the original matte pearly-gray, to a stainless steel look, to a bright mirror polish.
The final appearance depends on how the metal is processed before plating. Once plated nothing can be changed.
The original matte gray is smooth but reflects less light then bluing.

ACCURATE PLATING AND WEAPONRY 2015 | APWCOGAN
Top reputation, "possibly" the best all around gun refinisher. You just can't go wrong with Cogan. If you want to call to talk over the job you may get Cogan himself. If so, have your phone charged up, he loves talking about the technology.

Ford?s Guns - Custom Refinished Guns and Desert Eagle Sights!
Often thought to be tied with Cogan as the best all around. Better known for their brilliant polish bluing that resembled Colt's Royal Blue but does top quality hard chrome.

Firearms Applications
One of the first to offer hard chrome to the public. They do only the matte gray finish. They're the only one I know of who will also plate the inside of the barrel and chambers. Some other platers think this doesn't really work out.

Metaloy, Industries - Professional Gun Finishing - hard chrome, blue and polymer finish
Been owned by several people, the current has an excellent reputation. Offers only matte gray.

Welcome to TechPlate, Inc. Firearms retail plating price list
Very high reputation, and is big in the air and space field. Offers more types of finishes then anyone.

Elite Custom Plating --* Re-Finishing, Custom Work, Competition Guns
I'm not up on their reputation, but they seem to have a good rep.

Hard Chrome Plating & Electroless Nickel Plating, Armalloy by Mahovsky's Metalife
Been around a LONG time. Offers the lowest prices of them all. Has had an excellent reputation, but lately some complaints.
Communication is often lacking and may be slow.

I suggest carefully reading each site for details. Some may offer reduced rates for a single part like a frame.

This ought to be a "sticky" thread. Excellent info... Thanks!

 

Accurate Plating does excellent work and yes, Bob loves to talk! Don't drop by the shop thinking you're gonna talk for 15mins and leave. The custom Ruger on the right was done by Accurate, through Jim Stroh, about 16yrs ago and still looks new. You can see the color difference between it and the satin nickel USFA.

 

that usfa is beautiful

Accurate Plating does excellent work and yes, Bob loves to talk! Don't drop by the shop thinking you're gonna talk for 15mins and leave. The custom Ruger on the right was done by Accurate, through Jim Stroh, about 16yrs ago and still looks new. You can see the color difference between it and the satin nickel USFA.

 

My Python was done back in the early 1980's thru Colt Custom Shop. Thinks it's Armoloy hard chrome. (Also did Elliason sight work)

 

CraigC, Like Robert said that USFA is attractive. I have a consecutively
SN'd pair of them. I will have to post pictures of those. I think they are
Rodeo II's. Maybe made about the same time.

 

Ron Mahovsky has my vote.