VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Info wanted: Gas cap changes

I have 2 gas caps for my '31 car. Both look the same and are originals, however one is vented through the center of the chrome (has a small hole) the other is vented from underneath. When was the change made?

Follow up question: has anyone had the style of cap with the vent hole rechromed? I had one done and they braised the hole shut, chromed it, then redrilled the hole. This caused the chrome to crack around the hole and peel.

I am under the impression that the change to the hole in the center of the cap was in the 1933-34 range. I have never seen any references to the change. There are several different caps that all look the same when installed. I suspect that there were several suppliers and also engineering changes during the time those gas caps were factory installed.

I have one with the hole in the top that I would like rechromed. Does anyone have any recommendations as to how to get that done while preserving the hole?

Your plater will know but I would guess the plater could open the hole back up after the copper plating stage.

Dave

agree with Dave a good plater will know what to do and provide a quality product

remember the plating is not a thick coating... less than a mil thick !!
the shiny you see is typically the polished nickel underneath, Chromium is a protective coating, typically adds a bluish hue that we all see and love and as Dave noted all starts on a base copper layer, where they get the imperfections perfect.

I was under the impression that at least some caps were stainless and not chrome plated.