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Multi-million dollar vintage autos raw metal finishes

March 6, 2008

We do our own zinc, black oxide, and getting into other surface preps. My question is what type of metal prep was utilized in the 1930's in Europe to retard raw steels and alloys from oxidizing. We need to correctly replicate the proper finishes. additionally what zinc procedure is being used to replaicate cadmium plated look? thank you for the forum though I was unable to source any awswers there. Any and all help appreciated

DeWayne Samuels
vintage auto restoration shop - Scottsdale, AZ, USA

First of two simultaneous responses -- March 7, 2008

I don't know how to generalize about 1930s finishes on steel parts. Some were finished with paint, some were nickel plated, some were cad plated, some were posphate and oil, some stampings were terne plated steel, some were hot dip galvanized, some were simply bare steel and allowed to rust.

You can substitute bright zinc plating, preferably with yellow chromate for cadmium. Even an expert cannot tell them apart by looking.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
- Spartanburg, South Carolina

Second of two simultaneous responses -- March 8, 2008

Mr. Samuels
Although cadmium deposition looks whiter than zinc one, I am sure that almost nobody could distinguish zinc from cadmium today. That's for the obvious reason: it's not easy to meet cadmium in today's use. Some time ago I made tests with satin zinc. After specific passivation in my eyes it looked quite similar to cadmium. When it comes to steel protection in 1930's I am sure that some kind of phosphating was commonly in use .

Janusz LABEDZ
- Warsaw, Poland

March 18, 2008

Thank you for the responses, can anyone add to my same question ? I mostly am interseted in maintaining /preserving the raw steel look of a freshly machined / fabricated part - in the methods/ like fashion but new techmology; as performed in the 1930s - '40s Thanks again DeWayne

DeWayne Samuels
Auto Restoration /Racing - Phoenix, Arizona, USA

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