Finish of gear shift lever on a 33

[Doctor's Ford]

My shift lever had surface rust. I cleaned it with fine sandpaper and was shiny for a short time. Now it has again developed a significant surface rust and some pitting. Sanded again and is looking pretty once more. What is the correct finish I need to apply to protect it? Is it chrome and then sand it lightly to a butler finish like the hand brake handle? If possible I want to reproduce the original finish. Appreciate any suggestions. Thank you

[35fordtn]

I had the same issue with my '32. As a temporary measure, I did as you, and sanded with 600. Then applied a thin coat of satin clear over it.

[Doctor's Ford]

Photo taken yesterday. How do I get rid of the early pitting? Sanding it more will require to remove a lot of metal and if it is plated it will also remove whatever finish is left.

[DavidG]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Manuel,

That degree of pitting suggests that there's no original plating left to preserve and that you need to have it plated anew in butler-finish chrome. Before plating I would check on the slot on the other side of the lever where the lever sits in the shift tower of the transmission (opposite side from that shown in your photo) for excessive wear. If worn, it can be welded and then trimmed to remove excessive movement of the shift lever.