Tech Meet of May 25, 2002

The radiator shell and

the adjustable cooling

fins came to me poorly

plated and deteriorating

badly. Plating was not

correct for the car as all this is

German silver and looks

correct and best just

polished. I guess

someone got tired of

polishing it and had a

radiator shop talk them

into the plating at some

point of repair.

Careful bead blasting

and sanding and hand

polishing brought back

the exquisite luster

common to RR parts

made of German silver.

The bonnet hold down

latches are solid German

silver. They required

that paint and tarnish

be removed and fine

polishing be done.

The steps are shown

from left to right.

Rear window (venting)

parts in the process of

final polish prior to

being plated.

Various brass parts as

they appeared prior to

stripping and the polish

needed before plating.

These are the turn signal

lamp parts polished and

ready for plating.

The windscreen frame

after polish prep for

plating. Only a power

polishing wheel about

two HP can do such a

polish job.

The windscreen and it's

fittings plated and on

the car.

New rivet positioning

pin for the headlight

ring being made on my

lathe.

Headlights done and

mounted.

The running light on the

front wing upon final

mount. It is a real minute.

of pleasure to fit fine

plating onto fine finish.

The combination of

wood, paint, leather,

glass, and polished

parts is an art medium

of particular satisfaction

for me to work with.

The RR logo etched

into the turn signal

lenses. I used a PC to

make the template for

the logo. Once it is on

the lens in tape, a

light bead blast does the

etch.

My original Flying Lady mascot on the radiator. The 20 H.P. have FL's made of solid nickel. They require a polish from time to time or they will start to look "brassy". The same applies to many parts on the car such as the steering column and shift lever.

The nickel plated hub mechanism.