Restoration Qs...Nickel plating
 

On current Nickel plating, which looks way to bright compared to
the original plating. I think it was "MikeK" who said / mentioned
the different "brightness" in the plating. The questions..

What did Ford use on the Model A?
Is there a "word", part "number" or a way to "describe" the
plating used from 1928-1931......too get the correct finish?

Dudley

Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating
 

"Butler nickle"

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/search...archid=3511730

Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating
 

You must specify which part as the mechanical process for prep or final buff would be different depending on the part. The spark and throttle levers are just buffed shiny while other things were done to the dash or door handles.

During the A production (and later) they did not use the bright nickel plating process. They used a dull nickel process that was buffed out. This is what gives the dull grey color on the back of the bumpers and landau irons (for cabriolet).

There were some other processes for 'butler' finishes, but they still used a dull nickel tank. I do not know the processed to arrive at these other finishes.

Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating
 

I don't think that is the nickle Dudley is referring to. I believe his reference is more toward the color of the old nickle, it has a 'warmer' or 'dimmer' color of nickle. Most of the nickle today is cooler or brighter in color. I don't know a specific term to describe.

Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating
 

Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating
 

Kevin, Steve and Marco....

Okay.....you understood what I was asking, thank you!

Now, I looked up "Watts Nickel formula", and they use the words "semi-bright
finish". Were all the parts done with the same formula(in the tank) and the
only change from full polish, Butler finish or the addition of Chrome?
Does this make sense?

Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating
 

Your question does makes sence, but unfortunately I don't know the answer.

Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating
 

Decorative chrome is really a 'clear coat'. It has a blue hue which makes the yellowish nickel look cooler.
Ford only used chrome on 'outside' parts. All the inside parts were nickel. Well do not hold me 100% to the last statement, but as a general rule as the cabriolet violates that rule.

Some minor background. The labor costs were big for Ford to do the plating operation. So dull nickel requiring a polish step before chrome was kind of a big expense. In fact this is the reason Ford changed to stainless even though the metal was more expensive they saved a ton in not plating.

The butler finishes were mechanical finishing operations. The surfaces were abraded to give a certain texture for some of the finishes. I have a NOS but produced later gear shift lever. It was dip painted. Once I removed the paint I found it had a smooth ground surface in concentric circles. I believe this would be the finish seen through the plating when finished.

I do not know how all the surfaces were 'butlered' or what ever the correct finish name might be and I am speculating based on my observations of a couple of parts.