The Ford Barn

wardkew · 01-15-2011, 08:03 PM

There was a post some time back discussing replating original instrument panels. There was a source that nickel plated and "butlerized." I've searched but can't find the thread. Can anyone help? Thanks.

wrndln · 01-16-2011, 12:45 PM

Dan Bixby (eBay user name Phonconn) many times has Butler finished nickel plated instrument panels listed or in his eBay store (Strictly A's). I haven't see one recently, but he has had a number of them listed in the last year. You might want to contact him and see if he has any available. I am pretty sure he still does nickel plating of model A items. He is located in th Kansas City area.
Rusty Nelson

Mitch · 01-16-2011, 12:57 PM

What's the cost (in general) to have an 28-early 30 panel correctly nickel plated?

wrndln · 01-16-2011, 01:11 PM

I had three 28/29 instrument panels replated in St Paul, MN about 1 year ago with some other parts (headlight stuff) and the price was about $70 for straight nickel. I didn't want a Butler finish.
Rusty Nelson

peters180a/170b · 01-16-2011, 02:36 PM

Pauls Chrome[P.A.] Very nice plating on a 1930 brass Instrument panel ..$150.00 but you know you have alot of nickel on it. Not a flash job.

1930artdeco · 01-16-2011, 07:43 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Hi All,

What exactly is a Butler finish vs. plain nickel or chrome?

Mike

wrndln · 01-16-2011, 09:02 PM

Butler finish is a light brushing using a fine metal brush of the nickel plating to give it a slightly dull look. I think there is some debate on whether Ford used both Butler finished and bright nickel finishes on inst panels and shifters. I'm not sure you can even Butler finish chrome.

BigB · 05-21-2016, 02:45 PM

I just took a bright nickel finish bezel and instrument cluster off a 30 coupe. I do believe it is original. Hopefully.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 05-21-2016, 07:35 PM

The Dog prefers the chrome, he can see his NOSE!
Bill W.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 05-21-2016, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigB

I just took a bright nickel finish bezel and instrument cluster off a 30 coupe. I do believe it is original. Hopefully.

Wow, resurrection of a long ago thread! Could you post a detailed picture or two of your panel?

4port · 05-21-2016, 08:17 PM

Al's Associates, Ft. Worth, TX. $70.00 with Butler Nickel finish for oval panel. Quick turn around, one week. Long time plater for Dallas and Ft. Worth club members. This was done a few months ago. Picture blurred.

Terry, NJ · 05-21-2016, 08:35 PM

I'm gonna ask a stupid question! I know very little about plating (nickel or chrome), I was told that Butler finish was done over a light sandblasted finish. Now, I read it's done on a brushed finish, or is it brushed after the plating?
Terry

Mitch//pa · 05-21-2016, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

I'm gonna ask a stupid question! I know very little about plating (nickel or chrome), I was told that Butler finish was done over a light sandblasted finish. Now, I read it's done on a brushed finish, or is it brushed after the plating?
Terry

http://www.pfonline.com/articles/butler-finish-nickel

BigB · 05-21-2016, 11:08 PM

Thanks all, as soon as I figure out my problem loading pics I will post a couple. Mine fits really well so leads me to believe its original but shines like chrome. Just don't see any evidence of the plating.

Tom Wesenberg · 05-22-2016, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

I'm gonna ask a stupid question! I know very little about plating (nickel or chrome), I was told that Butler finish was done over a light sandblasted finish. Now, I read it's done on a brushed finish, or is it brushed after the plating?
Terry

I left light sanding lines in my panel when I had it nickel plated. It came out smooth and shiny, so I touched it up with a green Scotch Brite pad. Recently I had read that some panels could also have been smooth and shiny, but I like the brushed look.

Terry, NJ · 05-22-2016, 07:55 AM

The panel from my 30 T.S. is bright chrome (with a little rust) AFAIK The car was produced in early june and it has round speedometer with horizontal lines. It's a little fancier than the ones in the coupes. Actually, I am more concerned with the E-brake handle.
Terry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I left light sanding lines in my panel when I had it nickel plated. It came out smooth and shiny, so I touched it up with a green Scotch Brite pad. Recently I had read that some panels could also have been smooth and shiny, but I like the brushed look.

BigB · 05-22-2016, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

The panel from my 30 T.S. is bright chrome (with a little rust) AFAIK The car was produced in early june and it has round speedometer with horizontal lines. It's a little fancier than the ones in the coupes. Actually, I am more concerned with the E-brake handle.
Terry

Thanks Terry,
Is yours original or replated?

BigB · 05-22-2016, 12:54 PM

Think I got the pics. From what I've seen this is in pretty fair condition?

01-15-2011, 08:03 PM	#1
wardkew Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 78	instrument panel plating There was a post some time back discussing replating original instrument panels. There was a source that nickel plated and "butlerized." I've searched but can't find the thread. Can anyone help? Thanks.

01-16-2011, 12:45 PM	#2
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,300	Re: instrument panel plating Dan Bixby (eBay user name Phonconn) many times has Butler finished nickel plated instrument panels listed or in his eBay store (Strictly A's). I haven't see one recently, but he has had a number of them listed in the last year. You might want to contact him and see if he has any available. I am pretty sure he still does nickel plating of model A items. He is located in th Kansas City area. Rusty Nelson

01-16-2011, 12:57 PM	#3
Mitch Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 186	Re: instrument panel plating What's the cost (in general) to have an 28-early 30 panel correctly nickel plated?

01-16-2011, 01:11 PM	#4
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,300	Re: instrument panel plating I had three 28/29 instrument panels replated in St Paul, MN about 1 year ago with some other parts (headlight stuff) and the price was about $70 for straight nickel. I didn't want a Butler finish. Rusty Nelson

01-16-2011, 02:36 PM	#5
peters180a/170b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Putnam Valley N.Y. Posts: 2,151	Re: instrument panel plating Pauls Chrome[P.A.] Very nice plating on a 1930 brass Instrument panel ..$150.00 but you know you have alot of nickel on it. Not a flash job.

01-16-2011, 07:43 PM	#6
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,785	Re: instrument panel plating Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Hi All, What exactly is a Butler finish vs. plain nickel or chrome? Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

01-16-2011, 09:02 PM	#7
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,300	Re: instrument panel plating Butler finish is a light brushing using a fine metal brush of the nickel plating to give it a slightly dull look. I think there is some debate on whether Ford used both Butler finished and bright nickel finishes on inst panels and shifters. I'm not sure you can even Butler finish chrome.

05-21-2016, 02:45 PM	#8
BigB Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Oceanside CA Posts: 10	Re: instrument panel plating I just took a bright nickel finish bezel and instrument cluster off a 30 coupe. I do believe it is original. Hopefully.

05-21-2016, 07:35 PM	#9
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: instrument panel plating The Dog prefers the chrome, he can see his NOSE! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

05-21-2016, 08:35 PM	#12
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,749	Re: instrument panel plating I'm gonna ask a stupid question! I know very little about plating (nickel or chrome), I was told that Butler finish was done over a light sandblasted finish. Now, I read it's done on a brushed finish, or is it brushed after the plating? Terry

05-21-2016, 11:08 PM	#14
BigB Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Oceanside CA Posts: 10	Re: instrument panel plating Thanks all, as soon as I figure out my problem loading pics I will post a couple. Mine fits really well so leads me to believe its original but shines like chrome. Just don't see any evidence of the plating.