The Ford Barn

Brianfrench65 · 04-05-2015, 12:52 PM

My old instrument panel has the reveals (above fuel gage, and below speedometer) painted gloss black. Is it correct to paint these, or leave them chrome?

Roger V · 04-05-2015, 01:35 PM

Not being picky but those are instrument panels whereas the dash is the rail that goes from post to post. It just makes it clearer when discussing it. My understanding is the recesses should be satin black but any kind of black will be ok unless showing in fine point.

Brianfrench65 · 04-05-2015, 02:15 PM

Thank you, and I will refer to it correctly in the future, I am learning.

I really appreciate the Wisdom of the members, it certainly helps those like me.

Bob C · 04-05-2015, 02:38 PM

If that is a reproduction instrument panel I would make sure all
the screw holes line up before you get to carried away.

Bob

Mike V. Florida · 04-05-2015, 03:18 PM

painted.

armchair67 · 04-05-2015, 06:39 PM

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Not trying to hijack this thread, but the instrument panel on my 31 Tudor is not a polished chrome, more of a dull finish and it has grooves that run horizontally top to bottom. Is this correct? Most of the ones I've seem in photos are smooth , with bright chrome finish.

Mitch//pa · 04-05-2015, 06:46 PM

yes thats correct
it should also be painted black in the areas shown on post 1 top

Roger V · 04-05-2015, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armchair67

Not trying to hijack this thread, but the instrument panel on my 31 Tudor is not a polished chrome, more of a dull finish and it has grooves that run horizontally top to bottom. Is this correct? Most of the ones I've seem in photos are smooth , with bright chrome finish.

Yours is correct for a mid-'30 to end of production in '31. The smooth instrument panels are for '28 to mid'30 with the oval speedometer. The original plating was either bright nickel or butler finish nickel which is duller. The repros are chrome plated as well as some originals that were replated with chrome instead of the nickel plating. For a driver some don't care or just want chrome which doesn't deteriorate like nickel.

CarlG · 04-05-2015, 08:03 PM

Very often Don Turley has original restored instrument panels that are correctly nickle plated on the swap meet. Nothing like having an original that fits correctly!

SkipShift · 04-05-2015, 08:36 PM

My neighbor replaced this terrific original instrument panel with a new chrome one. He couldn't get the screws on the new one started so I installed it for him. Now I own the car and the old Instrument panel is nowhere to be found.

Mike V. Florida · 04-05-2015, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armchair67

Not trying to hijack this thread, but the instrument panel on my 31 Tudor is not a polished chrome, more of a dull finish and it has grooves that run horizontally top to bottom. Is this correct? Most of the ones I've seem in photos are smooth , with bright chrome finish.

Chrome means one of two things, improper restoration or reproduction. The originals were nickle plated.

Mike V. Florida · 05-07-2015, 11:11 PM

Don, Did the later '31's come in brass or just the ones without the outline?

burner31 · 05-08-2015, 10:43 AM

Here is an original '31 dash, the amp meter is new.

04-05-2015, 01:35 PM	#2
Roger V Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,593	Re: 30 - 31 dash Not being picky but those are instrument panels whereas the dash is the rail that goes from post to post. It just makes it clearer when discussing it. My understanding is the recesses should be satin black but any kind of black will be ok unless showing in fine point.

04-05-2015, 02:15 PM	#3
Brianfrench65 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Freetown, Massachusetts Posts: 511	Re: 30 - 31 dash Thank you, and I will refer to it correctly in the future, I am learning. I really appreciate the Wisdom of the members, it certainly helps those like me.

04-05-2015, 02:38 PM	#4
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,755	Re: 30 - 31 dash If that is a reproduction instrument panel I would make sure all the screw holes line up before you get to carried away. Bob

04-05-2015, 03:18 PM	#5
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: 30 - 31 dash painted. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

04-05-2015, 06:39 PM	#6
armchair67 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 115	Re: 30 - 31 instrument panel Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Not trying to hijack this thread, but the instrument panel on my 31 Tudor is not a polished chrome, more of a dull finish and it has grooves that run horizontally top to bottom. Is this correct? Most of the ones I've seem in photos are smooth , with bright chrome finish.

04-05-2015, 06:46 PM	#7
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: 30 - 31 instrument panel yes thats correct it should also be painted black in the areas shown on post 1 top

04-05-2015, 08:03 PM	#9
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,116	Re: 30 - 31 instrument panel Very often Don Turley has original restored instrument panels that are correctly nickle plated on the swap meet. Nothing like having an original that fits correctly! __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

05-07-2015, 11:11 PM	#12
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: 30 - 31 instrument panel Don, Did the later '31's come in brass or just the ones without the outline? __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II