From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Various metal finishes for car parts, comparing nickel, chromium plating, and rustless steel.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149a\3\ scan0067 | |
| Date | 24th May 1927 | |
| Wy20-E-52427 -2- May 24, 1927. In order to complete the job as far as possible we have nickel plated (over nickel silver) the bonnet hinges, lamps, cowl-irons, bonnet catches etc., so that these parts (which discolor more slowly because they do not get hot) will retain a comparable finish. All nickel fittings inside cars have been plated for years and stay bright almost indefinitely. We look upon this as a fairly workable compromise for the present but are anxious to obtain a more permanent finish throughout. The only thing we have tried is chromium plating, which is an ideal finish, non-tarnishing, and unscratchable, but is difficult to apply and is an ugly color (a bluish tint like polished aluminum). Several transparent lacquers are available guaranteed for as much as 6 months when exposed to weather, but we have not tried any of them yet. In any case they can only be palliatives useful in our Depots perhaps, but not worth consideration by the production departments. We wonder whether you have made any tests of "Staybright" sheets or "Rustless" steel (high nickel) sheets which offer a permanent rustless finish of correct color for all bright parts of the car? Yours very truly, Maurice Olley MO/E | ||