1969 Steel Chassis - Next Run?

[ValveStorm]

Hey Everyone!

Getting ready to do another run of the 1969 chassis:
http://valvestorm.com/1969%20Chassis

The last run had nicely welded (but not folded) corners, and the clear zinc chromate finish...
For the next run, I want to do the folded (and spot welded) corners with the gold finish.

Feedback?

[audioclone]

Maybe a run with stand up transformers and blank control panel? I'm looking for one like that with no success

[Tazin]

I vote for the folded and spot welded corners....Only because I'm a purist when it comes to reproduction parts.

[ValveStorm]

What about the finish? Gold or clear?

[neikeel]

What about the finish? Gold or clear?

Dull non-passivated zinc.................

[Tazin]

If I had to choose between the yellow or clear/blue passivate; I'd go with the clear/blue. The yellow is just too bold looking. A dull non-paasivated zinc coating might be ideal, but I don't know if the plater can guarantee consistant results....You don't want to end up with some bright zinc coated chassis.

[YMI5150?]

If you can figure out a way to relic the chassis finish, that would sell like hot cakes.

[JimiJames]

Would muriatic or hydrochloric acid/water mix work for etching.
What do the pickup manufacturers do to age their covers ?
Or guitar companies with their hardware ?
IDK

[ValveStorm]

I will defer to George as to what finishes are available, but please keep the ideas coming.
I have seen talk about hours(days actually) in "salt spray" chambers as a means of comparing the effectiveness of finishes. Spraying with salt water (possibly with periods of drying in between)? You could just strap the chassis to the bumper of your truck for the winter?

[Tazin]

Perhaps a 4% thru 10% Muriatic acid solution might help dull/oxidize the plating. Unfortunately, each time you add a process to the chassis construction you increase the cost.

I just looked at a bunch of '69 amps (maybe 75 or so) and here's my conclusion.
Of the 60 plexi panel 1969's the majority seem to either have a clear/blue appearance or no appearent passivate at all (no visable hue or rainbow effect). This is going by the underside of the top of the chassis. The top of the chassis tends to be severely oxidized which makes picking out the passivate difficult. I will mention though that the typical zinc chromate (yellowish-gold) filter cap clamps yield a stark contrast in color compared to the top of the chassis, as does the output transformer mounting bracket to a lesser degree.
It looks like you see more of the yellow passivate chassis's as you progress in to the metal panel '69's....Maybe somewhere around August - September you see the more yellow colored chassis come into play.