Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Eurado metal finish
November 11, 2021
Q. I am trying to restore/refinish the front panel of an old radio (circa 1937). The radio was made by a company called Hallicrafters and their original sales literature says the following: "the front panel is of Eurado metal with a silver like finish". The finish is matte or flat not shiny.
The "silver like finish" has worn through and exposes the brownish brass beneath. I originally thought the finish was a paint but no solvent will touch it and the entire surface is conductive. After using some 00 steel wool [on
eBay or
Amazon] on the finish I determined that I was removing the finish and exposing the brass beneath.
I thought that the finish might be electroless nickel but as I learned more about that process it seems that it was not in commercial use until the 1950's. I have searched the internet for Eurado metal but have drawn a blank. Perhaps one of the gurus on the forum may have heard of it or know what sort of finish the "silver like finish" might be. I would like to have the panel refinished but have no idea where to proceed or who might be interested in a small one off job.
JJ Waldburger- Tucson, Arizona
A. Hi JJ. The finish looks close to white in your top photo, but much more metallic in the others. It could be a difference in the lighting or contrast; it's best when possible to put familiar objects like a quarter and a shiny penny in such photos so our mind can adjust.
Although I don't know what "Eurado" is, a dull nickel plating on a fine bead-blasted surface, or a satin nickel plating, would probably look good. It's a bit unusual to see black lettering like that on a plated surface; it would be very common on a non-conductive anodized aluminum surface though.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 2021
Q. Thanks Ted for your comments. The lighting and color of the panels removed form the radio are more accurate.
As far as the black lettering goes... it is engraved into the metal and the engraving is filled in with black lacquer paint. That is a very common way that other radio panels of that era have.
I could re-plate the panel in satin nickel but would not want to have the engraving obliterated... not sure if plating would fill in the engraving... your thoughts?
I can always fill in the black paint as long as the engraving is not obliterated by the plating.
What are your thoughts on re-plating with electroless nickel?
Thanks for taking the time to read and reply to my post.
- Bellingham, Washington
November 15, 2021
A. Hi again. I rarely see front panels today that are other than anodized aluminum; perhaps the reason is because simple silk-screening can replace engraving and painting, while being more robust as well because the ink is underneath an abrasion resistant clear anodizing.
Plating is thin (0.001" is unusually heavy plating), so the engraving will not be filled in.
Electroless nickel plating can be done instead of nickel electroplating but it quite a bit more expensive and I don't see any particular advantage.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 2021
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