Jeff Lilly
  • Home
  • Shops
    • Mechanical Shop
    • Media Blasting
    • Body Shop
    • Block Sanding
    • Wood Work
    • Paint Shop
    • Upholstery Shop
    • Assembly Shop
  • Gallery
    • Restomods
    • Hot Rods
    • Muscle Cars
    • Pro Touring
    • Trucks
    • Corvettes
    • Classic Cars
    • Frame Off
    • Pre-War
  • Why Us ?
    • Why Choose Us
    • Build Process
    • Beginnings
  • Cost
  • Contact
  • Recognition
    • Endorse
    • media
  • Build Tips
  • Employment

Build Tips

Chrome Trim

1
Click to enlarge

We will be building trim for the hood openings on this 50 Ford Truck. The hood was shaved 3 inches lower than stock and will not look good with the huge nostrils Ford built it with as seen on the right. On the left it shows a smaller, sleeker mock up comparison.

2
Click to enlarge

We mocked up a few pieces in thin gauge steel and covered them with tape for visual purposes. We are pleased with the size and are now ready to build the new trim!

3
Click to enlarge

We purchased brass stock 1/2 inch thick to start our new project. Brass works well because it is easy to machine and tweak. Brass also accepts copper plating very well from an adhesion standpoint and copper accepts Nickel and Chrome so you have a natural metal plating match.

4
Click to enlarge

We traced the brass plates with our templates then used a skil saw with a metal blade to rough cut the pieces.

5
Click to enlarge

We then took a router with a carbide bit and cut out the centers. The soft brass trims easily with this tool.

6
Click to enlarge

They are roughed out and taking shape as seen. The band saw will be used to trim a bit closer to the lines.

7
Click to enlarge

Clamped together we will now make each piece identical by filing them simultaneously, inside the opening and the outer perimeter.

8
Click to enlarge

A die grinder with a porting cone grind disc works great to rough it out at first.

9
Click to enlarge

The Dyna brade belt sander with 80 grit works out more angles.

10
Click to enlarge

We switched to hand filing for the final flat tolerance. The right file with correct teeth per inch is important to keep from loading up when filing soft materials like brass. 10 to 14 teeth per inch works great.

11
Click to enlarge

The round file works great for all corners.

12
Click to enlarge

Filed to a dead set match she is starting to take shape!

13
Click to enlarge

Filed to a dead set match she is starting to take shape!

14
Click to enlarge

Initial fit to the hood opening shows they need tweaking to match the hoods contour.

15
Click to enlarge

We taped them up to check the opening size and angle before tweaking.

16
Click to enlarge

Before removing them we marked the back side where the threads will be for attaching to the vehicle. We then clamped them in place and pilot drilled them for future thread tapping.

17
Click to enlarge

To take it the next level the router and bit is placed upside down in the table and with two hands on the part. This is to round the corners over for a smooth rounded part.

18
Click to enlarge

Rounded and taking shape she is coming a"round" nicely. He He Ha Ha

19
Click to enlarge

On the left you can see the shape taking place on the inside and outside edges compared to the right one that still needs run through the router.

20
Click to enlarge

We wrapped them in clean cloth and inserted soft jaws in the vice. We then lightly tap them to fit the hood radius exactly. We use a soft faced dead blow hammer to do the job.

21
Click to enlarge

Just like an isotoner glove, the fit is right. We tapped for threads on the back side and installed 10-24 screws to hold them in tight.

22
Click to enlarge

They are about 90% finished and have been hand sanded a bit with 80 grit. Once the body is in final primer we will finish the fit and start the Copper Nickel and Chrome plating process.

23
Click to enlarge

Copper will be sanded with 400 grit then polished to a mirror finish. We will then nickle and chrome plate for a final product.

24
Click to enlarge

They came out nice and look like Ford made them but to the trained eye they are smaller then Henry ever built them.

Jeff Lilly Restorations

11125 FM 1560 N San Antonio, TX 78023

210-695-5151 - FACILITY TOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Mon- Fri 8:00 - 5:00

The look, feel and sound, you've seen it finished in your minds eye a thousand times. The years go by, as time slips away with the old enemy "procrastination". If it is time to get it done, contact us today to get your machine rolling down the road in style. Please take the time to read the Cost / Faq section by clicking HERE This section will help inform you about the car building process to help you make your best decisions.

Thank You! To contact us with your questions call 210-695-5151 and to send photos or information about your project email us by clicking here.

Follow Us For More

© 2023 Jeff Lilly Restorations