The Ford Barn

d.j. moordigian · 01-06-2014, 04:19 PM

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

ctlikon0712 · 01-06-2014, 05:48 PM

"Butler nickle"

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

Kevin in NJ · 01-06-2014, 05:56 PM

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.

Steve Wastler · 01-06-2014, 05:57 PM

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.

Marco Tahtaras · 01-06-2014, 06:06 PM

I assumed Dudley was refering to the nickel type which was the Watts nickel formula. It didn't contain the "levelers" commonly used in today's nickel baths.

There is no visible difference in color from bright nickel after buffing.

d.j. moordigian · 01-06-2014, 06:30 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

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?

Steve Wastler · 01-06-2014, 06:37 PM

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

Kevin in NJ · 01-06-2014, 06:56 PM

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.

01-06-2014, 04:19 PM	#1
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	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

01-06-2014, 05:48 PM	#2
ctlikon0712 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,609	Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating "Butler nickle" https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/search...archid=3511730 __________________ Wanted: Simmons Super Power Head Craig Likon 1931 150B

01-06-2014, 05:56 PM	#3
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	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.

01-06-2014, 05:57 PM	#4
Steve Wastler Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,987	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.

01-06-2014, 06:06 PM	#5
Marco Tahtaras Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,099	Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating I assumed Dudley was refering to the nickel type which was the Watts nickel formula. It didn't contain the "levelers" commonly used in today's nickel baths. There is no visible difference in color from bright nickel after buffing. __________________ http://www.abarnyard.com/

01-06-2014, 06:30 PM	#6
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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?

01-06-2014, 06:37 PM	#7
Steve Wastler Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,987	Re: Restoration Qs...Nickel plating Your question does makes sence, but unfortunately I don't know the answer.

01-06-2014, 06:56 PM	#8
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	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.