I plan to get some Hayes demountable rims galvanized. I assume the lug nuts that came with them originally were the same as the rims: plated, not painted. Is that right? How about the bolts?
Cadium
Is anyone sure that Ford used cadium plating in the T?
The metal for electoplating was rather new in the early 20's. A teen era T wouldn't have any.
Here is some info from a 1930 trade journal, noting that cadium plating was new in the early 1920's.
The production of metallic cadmium has increased more than ten fold in the last ten years. In 1919, approximately 100,000 pounds of metallic cadmium were produced in the United States, while in 1927, 1,074,654 pounds of metallic cadmium were produced. Figures for 1928 have not been obtained, but undoubtedly exceed those of 1927.
The use of cadmium for electro-deposition has increased even more rapidly. In 1922, with a cadmium production of approximately 131,000 pounds, most of which was used in the manufacture of paints, chemicals, solders, etc., only a few hundred pounds were used for electroplating purposes. From that time on, the increase was rapid. In 1928, the Udylite Process Company alone used approximately 650,000 pounds. In the first four months of 1929 the Udylite Process Company actually sold and delivered to Udylite licensees 329,000 pounds of cadmium metal. This means that during 1929 one company alone will handle approximately 1,000,000 pounds of cadmium metal for electroplating purposes exclusively.
When it is considered that the average coating is only 0.0002” thick, the volume of work covered assumes staggering proportions. This amount of cadmium metal if spread on the earth’s surface to a thickness of 0.0002”, would cover an area of approximately 4 square miles, or 2,500 acres.
The color of cadmium metal itself is very often referred to as tin color, but it may be described as having a silver white color with a blueish tinge, and is more nearly the color of steel than of tin, which possesses a yellowish cast. Cadmium has a brilliant luster when freshly cut or polished, but becomes dull when exposed to the air.
cadmium plating wasn't widely used until the 30's. I believe ford used an aluminum based paint
I don't know where to find the Information right now but Ford changed the Zinc plating to Cadmium on the T wheels in 1926 or so. Now I could not tell you if Hayes and Kelsey did the same.
Found this on another post for you
By Bruce McCalley on Monday, December 22, 2008 - 05:31 pm:
The original rims were zinc plated. Zinc is sort of a light gray when new but tarnishes to a dark sort of dirty gray in a short time. Many have them cadmimum plated and others use an aluminum paint, or whatever. Zinc was called terne plate at the time (and later).
'Galvanizing' means different things to different people. I use the term to describe a zinc coating, be it electroplated (Electro-galvanized) or dipped (Hot dip galvanized). Some use the term 'galvanizing' for the dip process and call the other "Zinc Plated".
Which was used on T wheels?
I'm using the dictionary definition of galvanize: to coat with zinc. This can be electroplate or hot dip.
But whether I coat with zinc or cadmium, or spray on a coat of Oklahoma chrome, the question remains: are the nuts and bolts supposed to get the same treatment?
Fresh off the assembly line, Ford photos for adv, blow up the photos and note the bolts are plated, they shine on the rear of the painted felloe. Note the plated spare rim without tire.
Plated with metal other than cadium