1933/34 Chrome & Cadmium Question

[Mike34]

Two questions.
1. I believe that the gas pedal was originally cadmium coated. Did the cadmium extend end-to-end, spoon & cross-shaft or was only the spoon & spoon shaft coated?
2. As shown in the photo, reproduction emergency brake handles are polished chromed top bottom. Whereas only the grip was polished chrome on originals. Was the chrome plating below the grip left as is unpolished or is it a brushed chrome finish?

Thanks,
-Mike

 

[petehoovie]

Two questions.
1. I believe that the gas pedal was originally cadmium coated. Did the cadmium extend end-to-end, spoon & cross-shaft or was only the spoon & spoon shaft coated?
2. As shown in the photo, reproduction emergency brake handles are polished chromed top bottom. Whereas only the grip was polished chrome on originals. Was the chrome plating below the grip left as is unpolished or is it a brushed chrome finish?

Thanks,
-Mike

 

[Model51]

Mike,

I think only the spoon was originally cadmium plated and the rest of the accelerator assembly was black paint finish

I believe the original finish on the hand brake lever in the grip area is polished chromium plated and the rest of the lever is brush finished chromium plated.
My information comes from 1935 vehicles and I'm assuming this finish scheme was carried over from earlier years.

Dave

 

[Model51]

And I typed too fast. I should have said the handle area is polished nickel finish and the rest of the lever is brush (Butler) nickel plated finish - not chromium.

Also, the release button is nickel plated.

 

[v8fordman]

The entire spoon was cadmium plated as well as the cross shaft that it attaches to. The hollow tube that contains the cross shaft and both pieces that allow it to attach to the firewall are painted black.

 

[Model51]

Thanks for that clarification. I always wondered about the cross shaft being plated or not. Fortunately the cross shaft is almost completely covered so it will be hard for anyone to notice.

 

[Mike34]

And I typed too fast. I should have said the handle area is polished nickel finish and the rest of the lever is brush (Butler) nickel plated finish - not chromium.

Also, the release button is nickel plated.

Polished & brushed nickel? OK, not what I thought/expected, because a local plater told me that nickel was quite expensive back in the day, more than chromium. I will ask him to test the original handle that I have to determine what the coating is and then redcoat it the same. Thanks.

(Side note: He’s the grandson and third owner of the shop which opened in 1930. And they are still in the same building.)

 

[Mike34]

The entire spoon was cadmium plated as well as the cross shaft that it attaches to. The hollow tube that contains the cross shaft and both pieces that allow it to attach to the firewall are painted black.

Just what I needed to know. Thank you for this clarification.
-Mike

 

[Model51]

Nickle plating surprised me too, but that's what Ford did in the day.

I've heard that a good chromium plating job first starts with copper plating, then nickel plating and the final plating is chromium. Copper for bonding to the steel, nickel for corrosion protection and silver color and chromium for a clear hard coating with a slightly blueish tint. Stopping at nickel plating is actually less expensive than chromium plating.

 

[Mike34]

The entire spoon was cadmium plated as well as the cross shaft that it attaches to. The hollow tube that contains the cross shaft and both pieces that allow it to attach to the firewall are painted black.

Here we go, fresh from the plating shop….cadmium as original.

 

[petehoovie]

Here we go, fresh from the plating shop….cadmium as original.

 

[rockfla]

Nickle plating surprised me too, but that's what Ford did in the day.

I've heard that a good chromium plating job first starts with copper plating, then nickel plating and the final plating is chromium. Copper for bonding to the steel, nickel for corrosion protection and silver color and chromium for a clear hard coating with a slightly blueish tint. Stopping at nickel plating is actually less expensive than chromium plating.

Dave
“Back in the day”….nickle wasn’t as widely used as it is today, for one…..ie the main ingredient in the production of SS, which NOW is “widely” used across many industries. So back then it was a much cheaper mined commodity.
Also, today, the nickle market was basically “cornered” through acquisitions about 12-15 years ago when about 7-9 of the “main” nickle mines throughout the world were bought out by about three. So today the price of nickle has drastically changed per ounce than back in the 20’s & 30’s

 

[Mike34]

Dave
“Back in the day”….nickle wasn’t as widely used as it is today, for one…..ie the main ingredient in the production of SS, which NOW is “widely” used across many industries. So back then it was a much cheaper mined commodity.
Also, today, the nickle market was basically “cornered” through acquisitions about 12-15 years ago when about 7-9 of the “main” nickle mines throughout the world were bought out by about three. So today the price of nickle has drastically changed per ounce than back in the 20’s & 30’s

Hmm…that must be why the plater told me that nickel was expensive, he’s speaking from today’s point of view.

And like chrome plating, the nickel plating also starts with copper. Copper was applied to this shift lever and e-brake handle, followed by the nickel. These pieces are unbuffed/brushed. He leaves the buffing up to me to do.

 

[petehoovie]

Hmm…that must be why the plater told me that nickel was expensive, he’s speaking from today’s point of view.

And like chrome plating, the nickel plating also starts with copper. Copper was applied to this shift lever and e-brake handle, followed by the nickel. These pieces are unbuffed/brushed. He leaves the buffing up to me to do.