The Ford Barn

RHD · 03-22-2015, 09:12 PM

Were the first 1929 taillights (after the drum taillight) introduced in March 29 chrome plated brass. I know the later taillights were stainless. I have seen the brass taillights here and wondered if they have ever been seen in the USA and what period of production they were used. The 'Duolamp' stamping was recessed.
Maybe this was an export option only.
Sorry, don't have a picture of one.
Any ideas?

johnbuckley · 03-23-2015, 04:00 AM

Do you think the brass ones you've seen might have been originally chrome on brass from which the Cr has been polished off?

d.j. moordigian · 03-23-2015, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHD

Were the first 1929 taillights (after the drum taillight) introduced in March 29 chrome plated brass. I know the later taillights were stainless. I have seen the brass taillights here and wondered if they have ever been seen in the USA and what period of production they were used. The 'Duolamp' stamping was recessed.
Maybe this was an export option only.
Sorry, don't have a picture of one.
Any ideas?

They were Nickel plated,...till the Stainless came about..

DougVieyra · 03-23-2015, 12:24 PM

They were Nickle plated Brass. In the early days of 'restoraton' during the 1950's and '60's, before there were Parts Houses, with reproduction parts (including tail lite housings) most 'restorers' of the time preferred the later '29 Tea Cup housing of S/S. The reason being that the Brass, over the course of what was then 20 + years, often times developed stress cracks and splits in the brass housing. A condition that can only get worse with time.

That was the same situation with the Brass Cowl Lites.

Perhaps someone on Ford Barn can tell us if S/S can be plated Nickle. If so, that would be the ideal Tea Cup tail lite housing for a '29 Model A.

- Doug Vieyra, past owner of 4 '28's, 3 '29's, 5 '30's, 3 '31's. Now the owner of memories - both lost and found.

MikeK · 03-23-2015, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougVieyra

Perhaps someone on Ford Barn can tell us if S/S can be plated Nickle. If so, that would be the ideal Tea Cup tail lite housing for a '29 Model A...

Yes. There are several methods. All involve proper prep to remove the passive oxide always present on SS. The difficulty comes in the next step, a method to get superior adhesion of the first plate layer, or initial strike. I did quite a bit of small scale plating years ago and experimented with different solution mixes. I found the method described HERE to give the best initial strike bond to 300 series stainless. Talk to your plater. He/she may have other methods that will also provide high initial strike bond.

dave in australia · 03-23-2015, 02:43 PM

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When I was an electroplater, we would use a nickel chloride strike, then plate the next layer over the top of that. Unless it was to be hard chrome plated for a build up. Then we would reverse current etch in the chrome bath, then plate directly on to the SS. The most common S we plated on was 316.

Cockshutt Kid · 03-23-2015, 05:05 PM

I believe that the DUOLAMP was stamped inwards on Canadian built cars and outward on American built cars. Jim.

d. · 03-23-2015, 05:50 PM

I have a stainless teacup taillight stamped inward...what is your Canadian production belief based on? just curious

03-22-2015, 09:12 PM	#1
RHD Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 665	1929 Taillights Were the first 1929 taillights (after the drum taillight) introduced in March 29 chrome plated brass. I know the later taillights were stainless. I have seen the brass taillights here and wondered if they have ever been seen in the USA and what period of production they were used. The 'Duolamp' stamping was recessed. Maybe this was an export option only. Sorry, don't have a picture of one. Any ideas? __________________ R.H.D. Author of Model 'A' Ford technical manuals. Supplier of good original RHD parts.

03-23-2015, 04:00 AM	#2
johnbuckley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,441	Re: 1929 Taillights Do you think the brass ones you've seen might have been originally chrome on brass from which the Cr has been polished off?

03-23-2015, 12:24 PM	#4
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: 1929 Taillights They were Nickle plated Brass. In the early days of 'restoraton' during the 1950's and '60's, before there were Parts Houses, with reproduction parts (including tail lite housings) most 'restorers' of the time preferred the later '29 Tea Cup housing of S/S. The reason being that the Brass, over the course of what was then 20 + years, often times developed stress cracks and splits in the brass housing. A condition that can only get worse with time. That was the same situation with the Brass Cowl Lites. Perhaps someone on Ford Barn can tell us if S/S can be plated Nickle. If so, that would be the ideal Tea Cup tail lite housing for a '29 Model A. - Doug Vieyra, past owner of 4 '28's, 3 '29's, 5 '30's, 3 '31's. Now the owner of memories - both lost and found.

03-23-2015, 02:43 PM	#6
dave in australia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,175	Re: 1929 Taillights Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) When I was an electroplater, we would use a nickel chloride strike, then plate the next layer over the top of that. Unless it was to be hard chrome plated for a build up. Then we would reverse current etch in the chrome bath, then plate directly on to the SS. The most common S we plated on was 316.

03-23-2015, 05:05 PM	#7
Cockshutt Kid Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 81	Re: 1929 Taillights I believe that the DUOLAMP was stamped inwards on Canadian built cars and outward on American built cars. Jim.

03-23-2015, 05:50 PM	#8
d. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 510	Re: 1929 Taillights I have a stainless teacup taillight stamped inward...what is your Canadian production belief based on? just curious