Use tight fitting wrenches and screwdrivers so you don't mar the chrome. Take your time. Do you need to disassemble for cleaning, or all the way for chroming? I've disassembled dozens and pieced the best parts into a few nice pairs over the years. You'll need to be more specific if you have specific questions.
Everything there unscrews, The only thing you will need to drill out are the 3 rivets that hold the flange onto the bucket. Those will need to be replaced after chroming, button head stainless screws would be the easiest solution to re-assemble them after plating, but you could machine the heads of a bolt to be round, and mimic rivets well. If you need, I can post a pic of an appleton 112/552 dissassembled down as far as you can take one, ready for re-plating.
Kelly, Here is a pic. This is actually an appleton 552 head, which I have a pair fully dissassembled to have re-chromed. The 552 is just about identical to a 112 until you get to the handle (552's were actually what where on all of the early Barris cars) The 112 handle is a bit different, so I took apart one of those ( I have several different Appleton 112 and 552 variations) so you can see that handle assembly. You can remove the post (the arm the bucket mounts to outside of the car) by hammering out the retaining pin just above the hex flats on the spinning threaded part. Do this extremely carefully, and remember that the post is pot metal, so it cracks easily. Quite honestly, for that part, if yours are pitted,I'l just find a pair of NOS or mint Appleton 451 spots, and use the posts from them. They are very common spots, and use the exact same part, as it can be very hard to remove that retaining pin. Re-chroming pitted pot metal is expensive, it may be cheaper to just take the parts off a pair of 451's, and re-sell the 451's with your pitted posts. Hope this helps. If you have any more questions regarding appletons, let me know, its one of my absolute favorite subjects!
If you go with Advanced Plating, they quoted me $90 to strip 2 buckets, and 2 rings, and $90 to chrome each bucket/ring set, if they dont need ANY straightening. I'd guess that the bucket's flanges would run about $50 each if they dont have any pitting (they almost always do). I didnt ask, as the flanges for my pair are perfect, the chrome on the brass buckets is just dull. Some buckets were brass, others were steel, a magnet will tell you what you have. And as I posted above, its just cheaper to buy NOS 451's and use them from the teardrop shaped post down to the handle, as you can find NOS 451's for around $150, you will spend a lot more than that re-plating all of those parts, and not to mention, most of the handles on 112's are always cracked/warped. The 552 handles were a different plastic, and generally stay in better shape. Remember that you must find a metal finisher to straighten any dings in the bucket, and find a GREAT plater who can pass them through the copper only once, or you will lose some of the lettering on the bucket. So final restoration costs totally depends on what you need. Worst case, I'd say you could spent $600-700 in restoration.
Chad.I was told of a guy up in Mass who restores them from a good friend of mine,Donn Lowe out of Oregon.When I called the guy,he told me he was sick,so he could not give me a price.I brought the set I have to a local restoration shop,and get this,I thought I was going to fall over.He told me about $5000.00 to restore them.Mine aren't that bad of a shape.
I googled "Appleton series 112 spotlight" and I came across this site. You guys appear to have solid knowledge of these spotlights. I've found a perfect condition original Appleton 112 spotlight that would not need chroming (by my estimate), contains no pitting at all, it's close to perfect. It was in a chest for probably 60 years at least. Do you know what it might be worth or anybody who would want to purchase it? Thank you, Mike larosa.mi@gmail.com
Do you know where I can find an original set of appletons without the button. Looked on ebay but nothing. Thanks
Chad, Do you anywhere in Southern California that will take apart my Appleton spotlights ( I have Appleton Series S-552 ) and have them refinished and chromed. They have a few dings, and need to be re-straightened and re-chromed. Thank You.
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