The Ford Barn

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, 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.