Bob Zetnick Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 What is "butler finish" that I read (from Jason's DA post) was the finish for the interior hardware? Is it something that can be replicated by a plater? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepstrebeck Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 The butler finish can also be known as a satin finish. For the most part it just looks like unpolished nickle after plating, a bit on the dull side, not shiney or a mirror finish. The butler/satin nickle finish is called for on a few different parts on the Ford Model A, in particular the gearshift and the parking brake handle. In particular the parking brake handle has to be a combination of bright, polished nickle, and butler/satin nickle.Any plater should be able to give you the finish you are looking for. One way to accomplish the satin/butler look yourself is to use an ultra-fine scotch-brite pad on the piece. Pretty common way for dulling down the backside of over-restored Model A bumpers and getting the butler/satin look on the gearshift or parking brake handle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 There was a guy a while back that went thru IN DETAIL all the finishes avail and how the process went, he apparently worked for a plater but wouldnt give out his shops name if I remember correctly. If anyone can remember how to find that guys post so I can reread and print I would sure apprceciate it. I dont think it was a post made in this particular D.B forum but was one of the others I cant seem to make the search button on this forum do anything for me but give me ulcers.Bob if I remember correctly butler finish is just a step they go thru when doing the plating. They just dont take the traditional chroming process all the way. I amy be wrong but I dont think so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Zetnick Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 Thanks guys. However it was done, it did seem like perhaps a thinner finish.....the detail on the edges of interior hardware was not lost due to a heavy plating.....I was curious as to how different a 'Butler finish' may have been from a regular chrome or nickel finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDewey Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Butler Finish is a satin nickel finish. I have replicated it on chromed parts by buffing them lightly with a wheel loaded with black polish (about 180 grit, I think). One has to go very easy with it! I think in the day it was just unpolished nickel--as the nickel they used then required polishing to be shiny--modern nickel comes out of the vat shiny.David D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 The butler finish nickel is a fine satin finish. This finish originally resulted from the regular cleaning and polishing of fine silverware. One way to produce the finish is to wet scratch the surface with a suitable wire brush. An easier way is to buff the surface using fine grit, greaseless buffing compound. The type of nickel bath is important. Bright nickel baths give a finish that is too glossy so a dull or semi-bright bath should be used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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