MTFCA Forum

I congratulate members/vendors who make new stuff to fill a need we all have for our restorations. However, modern manufacturing methods make really sharp, accurate products which are like peas in a pod, whereas most original parts are more individual, largely as a result of the different methods used to manufacture them.
Dan Hatch has machined some really nice early round dust cover nuts for valve stems. However, originals were stamped out first and the threads cut into these stampings. They are not as precise as Dan's product.
Langs have loose lugs and flanged nuts for Kelsey loose lug rims. These two items are totally machined and are perfect. Original nuts are stamped out and then threaded. Each nut is an individual, the hex slightly smaller at the end, the hole often not quite on centre. The original lugs look to be made from rolled U shaped stock and they were cut from the stock by shearing them to length. This makes them less than perfect, each cut being a little different, the shearing slightly deforming the U shape etc.
R V Anderson has also provided accurate machined copies of the wheel bolt nuts. Originals were stamped and were less accurate.
I wonder how we can 'age' the new items to knock the precise machined look around so they do not look so raw. Perhaps the wheel nuts and lugs could be tumbled for a while to at least dull the machined surfaces. Dan's brass offerings could be gently wire brushed to round off the knurlings and dull the machined surfaces.
I am thankful for these new parts to be available to work on. Without them, we would be stuck with most un-attractive modern equivalents.
What other methods have you used to 'age' items to better match the patina of the rest of your car?

Allan from down under.

Interesting point of view, Allan. There are probably more than a few of us who somehow relate to the little nuances inherent in old hardware. There's just "something about them" that defies reproduction. Of course, when the original methods (and often materials) are beyond the capability of the modern "reproducer" for one or another reason, differences that are obvious to a few are bound to occur. I'm not sure there's any remedy for this Visiting purposeful physical abuse on new parts and exposing them to the elements may "fake" a passable "patina", but I don't think that's exactly what you're talking about.

Allan you make a good point in one respect. A nicely restored Model T is in some ways better than they were built originally. Henry wanted quality of course but he wasn’t building a Rolls Royce. To sell as many as he did you have to give him credit with making a quality product that was affordable to the average person.

Dan McEachern made those, Allan - not Dan Hatch.