The great bulk of what we do at S&T is refinishing vehicle parts dating from the early 1900s to about 1980. This means that inevitably that of all the car and bike parts that we receive for refinishing in nickel or chrome, a significant number will be damaged in some way and need to be repaired prior to being refinished. It is probably true to say that the optimum time to undertake the repair work is after the stripping stage and after the initial polishing stage when the metal is abraded away to a degree which shows up very clearly any mis-shapes, dents, twists etc, and any perforations, splits, cracks or bigger holes. If any repair work is attempted prior to these stages, it is often necessary to make further repairs. We make this point for those people who feel competent enough to undertake any repair work themselves. It is important to undertake repair work at the correct stage in the process. We are often asked to fill holes where tow-bars or spot lights had once been fitted but are now no longer required. We are also asked to 'make good' items where part of the original has actually broken off or missing. Common too, is the need to replace missing studs or trapped nuts.

Whether working with steel, brass, copper, zinc or aluminium, we have the experience and the full range of skills and processes to undertake the repair of parts with confidence.

In the main processing shop we have the plant and solutions for Zinc, Copper, Dull Nickel, Semi-Bright Nickel, Bright Nickel & Chrome Plating. Our tanks are large enough to cope with items upto 8 feet in length.

We can also offer Silver & Gold plating for smaller parts such as reflectors, etc.

Where chrome plating of old parts is concerned, again there is no substitute for skill and experience. There is an art to know how to 'jig up' a part prior to its journey through the chemical processes. The plater will be aware of holes on studs to be masked and of parts that have to fit together after plating. They will be aware of power and time settings to ensure that the correct amount of plating is put onto parts, so that they withstand an outdoor environment.

So when an item has been properly prepared in the polishing shop, it can be put through an appropriate process in the plating shop by an experienced and knowledgeable plater and the result should be the high quality enduring finish that we aim to produce.

S&T is one of only a small number of companies who will undertake to refurbish used exhaust parts in the form of pipes and silencers. All plating companies are aware that the release of 'coke' into process tanks can cause huge problems. We can take on these parts because we have fairly relaible de-coking methods and we have a designated process tank for these parts which means that the greater part of the process is protected from any release of 'coke'. Residues do remain in pipes and silencers however and can still be released during the plating process, this may give rise to some small specs or marks being produced on the plated finish.