[DavidG]

Dull nickel was used as a base for the chrome and only raised or visible areas were polished before chrome plating. It's quite obvious on bumpers and on original '34-'37 grilles where only the raised portions were polished, hence only the front of the grille bars were polished, not the sides. It takes some effort to recreate that original appearance as very few platers use dull nickel these days.


The dull nickel of the '33 grille bars were not polished originally and therefore even the leading edge had a dull finish. In order to ensure a uniform appearance for the grille bars some were actually painted with argent paint as witnessed by some NOS examples of the '33 grille. As a result, 99% of all rechromed '33 grilles have a non-original finish on the grille bars and the outer perimeter.