The Ford Barn

spdway1 · 09-11-2023, 12:51 PM

What is the best way to make a NEW thermo qual look weathered, not shiny? My truck is mostly original and has no shine. I do not want to have a bright new piece on the truck front and center. Thank you.

Cape Codder · 09-11-2023, 01:07 PM

How about a "Scotch" pad and a little Elbow Grease?

nkaminar · 09-11-2023, 01:08 PM

Bury it in the backyard for a while.

noboD · 09-11-2023, 07:00 PM

Tie it to the bumper and drag it up and down the driveway a few times.

TerryO · 09-11-2023, 08:57 PM

Just put it on and drive it, eventually it will look old...

TOB

Model "A" Fords · 09-11-2023, 09:05 PM

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Advertise on the Barn want ads for a used one to trade for your new one.

ModelA29 · 09-11-2023, 09:48 PM

Get some matte clear and take the sheen off some areas. Don't scotch brite it that will just scratch the surface. You also might try some acid to strip the chrome from some areas.

Zax40 · 09-12-2023, 08:54 AM

Just install it with your hands properly seasoned

1955cj5 · 09-12-2023, 02:09 PM

If it's chrome then you will probably have to buff it off. That will expose whatever is underneath, but if the material underneath is not brass it may not look very authentic.

I used Buffing Compound and a buffing wheel to polish the shine off this key that came with the reproduction/imitation pop-out ignition switch.

1955cj5 · 09-12-2023, 02:13 PM

If the radiator cap happens to be nickel plated, which I think is unlikely, you can use Brass Black to darken it. It can then be polished to achieve whatever level of weathering suits you.

I have not had any luck using this stuff on chrome, but there maybe something out there that will work.

eagle · 09-12-2023, 06:49 PM

I have used steel wool on "too shiny" chrome. It will polish dull chrome and dullen shiny chrome. Works for me. My A was in a building that had a fire, the chrome turned a smoky almost brasslike color. Steel wool cleaned it up nicely. I put a new Quail on too and it looked too new, so I dulled it with steel wool.

ronn · 09-12-2023, 07:33 PM

what about a light "blast" in a cabinet?

maybe walnut shells............

09-11-2023, 12:51 PM	#1
spdway1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 1,402	Weathering a New Radiator cap? What is the best way to make a NEW thermo qual look weathered, not shiny? My truck is mostly original and has no shine. I do not want to have a bright new piece on the truck front and center. Thank you.

09-11-2023, 01:07 PM	#2
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,262	Re: Weathering a New Radiator cap? How about a "Scotch" pad and a little Elbow Grease? __________________ I don't care if the "A" Starts BUT sure WANT IT TO STOP!

09-11-2023, 01:08 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: Weathering a New Radiator cap? Bury it in the backyard for a while. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

09-11-2023, 07:00 PM	#4
noboD Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 319	Re: Weathering a New Radiator cap? Tie it to the bumper and drag it up and down the driveway a few times.

09-11-2023, 08:57 PM	#5
TerryO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N. GA Posts: 532	Re: Weathering a New Radiator cap? Just put it on and drive it, eventually it will look old... TOB

09-11-2023, 09:05 PM	#6
Model "A" Fords Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 260	Re: Weathering a New Radiator cap? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Advertise on the Barn want ads for a used one to trade for your new one.

09-11-2023, 09:48 PM	#7
ModelA29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SoCal Posts: 591	Re: Weathering a New Radiator cap? Get some matte clear and take the sheen off some areas. Don't scotch brite it that will just scratch the surface. You also might try some acid to strip the chrome from some areas.

09-12-2023, 06:49 PM	#11
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Weathering a New Radiator cap? I have used steel wool on "too shiny" chrome. It will polish dull chrome and dullen shiny chrome. Works for me. My A was in a building that had a fire, the chrome turned a smoky almost brasslike color. Steel wool cleaned it up nicely. I put a new Quail on too and it looked too new, so I dulled it with steel wool. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

09-12-2023, 07:33 PM	#12
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,792	Re: Weathering a New Radiator cap? what about a light "blast" in a cabinet? maybe walnut shells............