The Ford Barn

wrndln · 10-04-2012, 10:11 AM

I am working on restoring some headlights for my 28/29 model A's. I have one apart (see picture below) and I think I know how it should be finished. I believe it should be zinc plated - all three parts, bolt, bracket and strap. Can someone confirm this is the correct plating for the parts?
Thanks for any help.
Rusty Nelson

Tom Wesenberg · 10-04-2012, 01:23 PM

They were cad plated the last time I looked at the standards.

Arlen · 10-04-2012, 01:53 PM

I always cad plate mine. Turns out beautiful for a part nobody sees

Marco Tahtaras · 10-04-2012, 02:07 PM

It's easier to see in commercial headlamps.

2manycars · 10-04-2012, 03:01 PM

Marco, it is interesting to see that those buckets seem to be painted over nickel plating. I wonder why Ford would waste time, money, and materials to plate, then paint. Are those from the end of 29 production, and painted to go on early 30 trucks?

Marco Tahtaras · 10-04-2012, 06:28 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 2manycars

Marco, it is interesting to see that those buckets seem to be painted over nickel plating. I wonder why Ford would waste time, money, and materials to plate, then paint. Are those from the end of 29 production, and painted to go on early 30 trucks?

Those are showing bare steel. On the exterior there is corrosion but the inside is almost like new.

wrndln · 10-04-2012, 06:29 PM

Speaking of headlights. I am trying to remove the clip on the top of some buckets so they can be plated. I don't see how the clips can be taken out. If I press down the top end, it becomes extremely taught and I can't get clip removed. There must be a way to do it, but I sure don't know it. I would like to save the clips and not damage them. Any suggestions?
Thanks for any help.
Rusty Nelson

d.j. moordigian · 10-04-2012, 07:50 PM

Rusty,

As I recall, some come out....I think the 3 wire do.

wrndln · 10-04-2012, 08:15 PM

They do come out, I just don't know how to do it. The spring they are made from is very strong. Parts suppliers sell them.

Farrell In Vancouver · 10-05-2012, 08:44 AM

Intersting strap location difference. Rusty's seem to go from the corner to the mid rivet, whereas Marco's pic shows the strap crossing mid to mid rivet. Wonder how many variations can be found on theses parts?

wrndln · 10-05-2012, 09:13 AM

One difference in Marco's headlights and the one I posted is mine is a 28's with a single bulb reflector and Marco's are 29's with a two lite reflector. All the 28/early 29 headlights I have, have had the diagonal retaining straps. Note the larger hole for the wiring going into the headlight on Marco's headlights. It is kind of hard to tell the difference, but I have a number of each type and the larger hole is about 1/8" larger in diameter. There might have been different suppliers also, but I guess it doesn't make much difference as the straps aren't seen once assembled.
Rusty Nelson

10-04-2012, 10:11 AM	#1
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,165	Finish on headlight parts I am working on restoring some headlights for my 28/29 model A's. I have one apart (see picture below) and I think I know how it should be finished. I believe it should be zinc plated - all three parts, bolt, bracket and strap. Can someone confirm this is the correct plating for the parts? Thanks for any help. Rusty Nelson

10-04-2012, 01:23 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Finish on headlight parts They were cad plated the last time I looked at the standards.

10-04-2012, 01:53 PM	#3
Arlen Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 524	Re: Finish on headlight parts I always cad plate mine. Turns out beautiful for a part nobody sees __________________ DMAFC

10-04-2012, 02:07 PM	#4
Marco Tahtaras Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,099	Re: Finish on headlight parts It's easier to see in commercial headlamps. __________________ http://www.abarnyard.com/

10-04-2012, 03:01 PM	#5
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Finish on headlight parts Marco, it is interesting to see that those buckets seem to be painted over nickel plating. I wonder why Ford would waste time, money, and materials to plate, then paint. Are those from the end of 29 production, and painted to go on early 30 trucks?

10-04-2012, 06:29 PM	#7
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,165	Re: Finish on headlight parts Speaking of headlights. I am trying to remove the clip on the top of some buckets so they can be plated. I don't see how the clips can be taken out. If I press down the top end, it becomes extremely taught and I can't get clip removed. There must be a way to do it, but I sure don't know it. I would like to save the clips and not damage them. Any suggestions? Thanks for any help. Rusty Nelson

10-04-2012, 07:50 PM	#8
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: Finish on headlight parts Rusty, As I recall, some come out....I think the 3 wire do.

10-04-2012, 08:15 PM	#9
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,165	Re: Finish on headlight parts They do come out, I just don't know how to do it. The spring they are made from is very strong. Parts suppliers sell them.

10-05-2012, 08:44 AM	#10
Farrell In Vancouver Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pitt Meadows BC Posts: 1,003	Re: Finish on headlight parts Intersting strap location difference. Rusty's seem to go from the corner to the mid rivet, whereas Marco's pic shows the strap crossing mid to mid rivet. Wonder how many variations can be found on theses parts?

10-05-2012, 09:13 AM	#11
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,165	Re: Finish on headlight parts One difference in Marco's headlights and the one I posted is mine is a 28's with a single bulb reflector and Marco's are 29's with a two lite reflector. All the 28/early 29 headlights I have, have had the diagonal retaining straps. Note the larger hole for the wiring going into the headlight on Marco's headlights. It is kind of hard to tell the difference, but I have a number of each type and the larger hole is about 1/8" larger in diameter. There might have been different suppliers also, but I guess it doesn't make much difference as the straps aren't seen once assembled. Rusty Nelson