The Ford Barn

Mike34 · 10-31-2014, 01:15 PM

The emergency brake levers/handles on the ’33-34 where chrome plated. On several originals that I have seen, the chrome appears to have been highly polished at the handgrip but not polished (or buffed) at the lower end of the lever. The finish seemed to be less and less polished as you traveled from the handgrip (top) to the lower end of the lever. The lower end had an appearance and finish which resembled the back of the original bumpers (which were not buffed.) Is what I saw correct or were the levers highly polished from top to bottom? I am getting ready to have some original handbrake levers chromed and I’m looking for some guidance. Thanks, Mike

Milt K from Pa · 10-31-2014, 03:49 PM

Mike,
The hand brake on a '34 should be bright chrome on the top handle portion,(with button), and dull on the rest of it's length. This is referred to as "Butler" finish and your chrome-plater should know this finish.

Milt K from Pa

Milt K from Pa · 10-31-2014, 04:04 PM

Mike,
Actually, I was able to reproduce the Butler look on a brake handle which was already bright plated when I got the car( a '35 in this case). If you have a sand blaster, you can very lightly and carefully blast the portion needing to look like Butler. It worked very well. Test it on something old first to get the feel.

Milt K from Pa

JSeery · 10-31-2014, 04:51 PM

I didn't think they were chrome, thought they were nickel or something else other than chrome.

DavidG · 10-31-2014, 07:13 PM

Definitely originally chrome plated. A safer alternative to sand blasting is the course grade of ScotchBrite. Also works great on the sides of '33-'37 grille teeth which also weren't shiny when new.

Doctor's Ford · 10-31-2014, 11:20 PM

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I had mine chrome plated and then I used ScotchBrite (the maroon color) and a bit of WD-40 and buffed it lightly to obtain the Butler finish appearance. The photo shows the difference between the top and lower segments as described.

Frank Miller · 11-02-2014, 06:21 AM

The butler finish is achieved by buffing the nickel with a coarse compound before plating. You c as n Google for more info.

Mike34 · 11-04-2014, 10:33 PM

Guys - thanks for the education. I hadn't heard of the term Butler finish prior to this post. Greatly appreciated. -Mike

10-31-2014, 01:15 PM	#1
Mike34 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 117	'33-34 Emergency Brake Levers The emergency brake levers/handles on the ’33-34 where chrome plated. On several originals that I have seen, the chrome appears to have been highly polished at the handgrip but not polished (or buffed) at the lower end of the lever. The finish seemed to be less and less polished as you traveled from the handgrip (top) to the lower end of the lever. The lower end had an appearance and finish which resembled the back of the original bumpers (which were not buffed.) Is what I saw correct or were the levers highly polished from top to bottom? I am getting ready to have some original handbrake levers chromed and I’m looking for some guidance. Thanks, Mike

10-31-2014, 03:49 PM	#2
Milt K from Pa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Pa. Area Posts: 272	Re: '33-34 Emergency Brake Levers Mike, The hand brake on a '34 should be bright chrome on the top handle portion,(with button), and dull on the rest of it's length. This is referred to as "Butler" finish and your chrome-plater should know this finish. Milt K from Pa

10-31-2014, 04:04 PM	#3
Milt K from Pa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Pa. Area Posts: 272	Re: '33-34 Emergency Brake Levers Mike, Actually, I was able to reproduce the Butler look on a brake handle which was already bright plated when I got the car( a '35 in this case). If you have a sand blaster, you can very lightly and carefully blast the portion needing to look like Butler. It worked very well. Test it on something old first to get the feel. Milt K from Pa

10-31-2014, 04:51 PM	#4
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: '33-34 Emergency Brake Levers I didn't think they were chrome, thought they were nickel or something else other than chrome.

10-31-2014, 07:13 PM	#5
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,094	Re: '33-34 Emergency Brake Levers Definitely originally chrome plated. A safer alternative to sand blasting is the course grade of ScotchBrite. Also works great on the sides of '33-'37 grille teeth which also weren't shiny when new.

11-02-2014, 06:21 AM	#7
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: '33-34 Emergency Brake Levers The butler finish is achieved by buffing the nickel with a coarse compound before plating. You c as n Google for more info. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

11-04-2014, 10:33 PM	#8
Mike34 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 117	Re: '33-34 Emergency Brake Levers Guys - thanks for the education. I hadn't heard of the term Butler finish prior to this post. Greatly appreciated. -Mike