Trim Ring Story

cpr3333

My '50 Pacemaker has a set of trim rings that I have not seen on another Hudson. I'm guessing they came from some aftermarket vendor. They may not be 'original' but I have a picture with them on the car in1950 so I want to get them redone.

They're not magnetic and too heavy to be aluminum so I figured they were stainless.

Today, I took them to a place that does plating and polishing and the guy immediately told me that they could not be polished. I asked why not and he said the chrome was too far gone. Chrome? I thought they were stainless. Why would anyone chrome stainless?

At that point, he said he wasn't sure what they were but there was an easy way to find out - chuck one in the stripping solutions. After about 10-15 minutes in each tank, we pulled it out and it seems to be brass. Has anyone ever heard of chrome plated brass trim rings?

While I'm posting, I've attached a picture I took of one a while back. Anyone recognize it?

lostmind

Those were popular after market accessories. Could very well have been sold at the dealer when new. They are intended to make your car appear to have full wheel covers.
Chrysler used these a lot , I don't recall seeing brass ones plated , but I have seen white ones.
I carried a set of 5 to 30-40 flea markets before I sold them for $5.00 , for all 5 !

SuperDave

The only cars I remember seeing them on were Chrysler products, they were painted white. I bet they became poplar during the war when white walls were a luxury. We called them toilet seats....really.

Browniepetersen

Part of the chrome plating process is to take the steel, put a coat of brass or copper on it and then do the chrome plate. Back in the day they used brass. Today, mostly they use copper. Copper is much easier to work with to make repairs or fill pits. My guess is that the ones you have were top quality back in the day.

StillOutThere

Of course. Chrome plated brass trim rings in multiple sizes are still available in the hobby today by suppliers like Bill Hirsch. Avail. today because they have been OEM since the early 1930s.