The Ford Barn

ceejay · 08-22-2022, 12:10 PM

Hello all,

When the 1933 Ford was made at the factory, how was the grill originally finished ?

The surround was chrome plated I guess.

Were the vertical bars also chrome plated ? the font faces of the bars as well as the sides of the bars ?

Would a modern chrome shop find it difficult to polish up and chrome all of the bars on an old original grill which has peeling chrome ?

rockfla · 08-22-2022, 12:30 PM

If you do a search, this subject was discussed not too far back. BUT in short for 1933 the outer band of the grill was bright shiny chrome, the grill bars were dull finish. MOST platers do not plate them correctly. You can achieve the correct finish by having the grill chromed and then take some ultra fine scotch-brite or steel wool and rub the grill bars to a just dull finish!!!

rockfla · 08-22-2022, 01:25 PM

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...3+grill+finish

Note post #2 in particular

DavidG · 08-22-2022, 02:32 PM

It's the finish of the surface before the final plating (chrome) is applied that dictates the final finish in chrome. Normally these days that is bright nickel. Back in 1933, that next-to-last surface was dull nickel. Unless the dull nickel was polished, the chrome that followed was also dull. On a '33 Ford grille, only the raised perimeter section's dull nickel was polished, hence only that surface had a bright finish after chrome plating.

Most platers today do not have the capability to plate with dull nickel (a few do) so the only way to achieve the original finish is to selectively dull the surface of the bright nickel before chrome plating or the chrome after the final plating as fockfla notes.

Newc · 08-22-2022, 05:56 PM

A restorer in Oregon made his own copper fixture to hold the grills and distribute the DC plating current evenly- He has passed and the fixture is unknown now. Newc

Lawrie · 08-22-2022, 06:12 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Is the Nottingham grill still being made.?
Lawrie

DavidG · 08-22-2022, 07:09 PM

Newc,

You raise a very important point regarding the re-plating period grilles as the fixtures used determine the thoroughness and uniformity of the plating.

deuce_roadster · 08-22-2022, 07:48 PM

Dale, was that Joel Hampton that had that fixture?

ceejay · 08-22-2022, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrie

Is the Nottingham grill still being made.?
Lawrie

Yes

Newc · 08-22-2022, 09:34 PM

The fellow with the fixture was name JOEL H, and at his auction I missed the grills!!Jefferson, Or. it was. Newc

08-22-2022, 12:10 PM	#1
ceejay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 105	1933 Grill - what was the original finish ? Hello all, When the 1933 Ford was made at the factory, how was the grill originally finished ? The surround was chrome plated I guess. Were the vertical bars also chrome plated ? the font faces of the bars as well as the sides of the bars ? Would a modern chrome shop find it difficult to polish up and chrome all of the bars on an old original grill which has peeling chrome ?

08-22-2022, 01:25 PM	#3
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 3,963	Re: 1933 Grill - what was the original finish ? https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...3+grill+finish Note post #2 in particular

08-22-2022, 02:32 PM	#4
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: 1933 Grill - what was the original finish ? It's the finish of the surface before the final plating (chrome) is applied that dictates the final finish in chrome. Normally these days that is bright nickel. Back in 1933, that next-to-last surface was dull nickel. Unless the dull nickel was polished, the chrome that followed was also dull. On a '33 Ford grille, only the raised perimeter section's dull nickel was polished, hence only that surface had a bright finish after chrome plating. Most platers today do not have the capability to plate with dull nickel (a few do) so the only way to achieve the original finish is to selectively dull the surface of the bright nickel before chrome plating or the chrome after the final plating as fockfla notes.

08-22-2022, 05:56 PM	#5
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,488	Re: 1933 Grill - what was the original finish ? A restorer in Oregon made his own copper fixture to hold the grills and distribute the DC plating current evenly- He has passed and the fixture is unknown now. Newc

08-22-2022, 06:12 PM	#6
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,221	Re: 1933 Grill - what was the original finish ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Is the Nottingham grill still being made.? Lawrie

08-22-2022, 12:30 PM	#2
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 3,963	Re: 1933 Grill - what was the original finish ? If you do a search, this subject was discussed not too far back. BUT in short for 1933 the outer band of the grill was bright shiny chrome, the grill bars were dull finish. MOST platers do not plate them correctly. You can achieve the correct finish by having the grill chromed and then take some ultra fine scotch-brite or steel wool and rub the grill bars to a just dull finish!!!

08-22-2022, 07:09 PM	#7
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: 1933 Grill - what was the original finish ? Newc, You raise a very important point regarding the re-plating period grilles as the fixtures used determine the thoroughness and uniformity of the plating.

08-22-2022, 07:48 PM	#8
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: 1933 Grill - what was the original finish ? Dale, was that Joel Hampton that had that fixture?

08-22-2022, 09:34 PM	#10
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,488	Re: 1933 Grill - what was the original finish ? The fellow with the fixture was name JOEL H, and at his auction I missed the grills!!Jefferson, Or. it was. Newc