instrument panel plating

wardkew

wardkew

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

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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
 
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.
 
Terry said:
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
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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.
 
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


Tom Wesenberg said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
Terry said:
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
Click to expand...

Thanks Terry,
Is yours original or replated?
 
Think I got the pics. From what I've seen this is in pretty fair condition?
 

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