I have a set of headlights which I plan to use on my Model A Coupe. I was told the lights are early Studebaker however I have not confirmed. It appears that the light is br*** which has been chromed. At first I thought it was nickel plating however when light sanding it now looks like br***. Did they use br*** back in the day to fab headlights? Trying to attach picture. The lens is just over 10" in dia.
They are probably steel ...then they get copper plated then over that.. chrome plated....or they would be stainless...but if your seeing br***, actually its copper, under the chrome ..then yours are chrome plated steel ....with the copper being between the steel and the chrome.... Sent from my SM-T387V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The only thing I know about headlights is that they cost a ton of money. I wouldn't even admit how much mine cost.
I have some aftermarket lights that are br***/copper. Who says the OEM's couldn't make them from copper sheet too?
I have this set of old aftermarket br*** lights. I bought them because the match the headlights on my Roadster. I knew they were the same lights but when I stripped the paint they are br*** and the ones on my Roadster are steel. I think the br*** ones are earlier. Gary
I just acquired this spot light? from my brother ...its bell and ring seam to be br*** ..and the swivel arm and base clamp possibly of bronze and the complete ***embly was most likely nickel plated...I have several old lamps ..headlight, fog lights , spot and even a large acetylene light....and they vary from steel, stainless, and like this spot br*** with chrome or nickel plating...what I have noticed is the chrome plated ones if its chrome over steel they rust and the chrome sometimes peels off and is brittle...and the nickel plated ones as they age the nickel must be softer because it kind of just gets worn and rubs off down to the copper coating underneath like when you over polish your silver... Sent from my SM-T387V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
most of the oem lights were br***. they were spun, not stamped to shape. old br*** gets brittle, got any cracks in them? tried a magnet yet? sell those wheels to a high school kid, you might make a profit.
Looks like you sanded through the nickel to br***. Manufacturers used nickel plating all the way up to about '29, then moved to chrome (just one more step beyond the nickel finish). I really like the warm look of nickel over chrome- just takes extra work to keep it looking nice.
Can't understand why I didn't think to try a magnet, must be old age or just not very bright. The magnet does not stick to housing or lens ring. So I ***ume they are spun br***. They do not have any cracks. The ring has a some holes to be repaired. I was planning on painting the housing body color and chrome plate ring but I kinda like the br*** may polish the housing vs. Paint and chrome the ring. Can you tell if they are Studebaker lights from these pictures? By the way I purchased those wheels from a high school kid
Not sure why I didn't think of using a magnet. The magnet does not stick to housing or lens ring. Thanks again for your reply.
Thanks everyone for the reply to my question. I now think they are spun br*** based on maagnet test suggestion. Still trying to find out if they are Studebaker. I posted a few more pictures in one of my replies. Thanks again
I built this ones from a ok bacuium cleaner made in holland electric Sent from my Moto E (4) using The H.A.M.B. mobile app