I know this is a bit odd, but I recently found an original lighter element w/knob for my truck but it had knicked black paint on it so I scrapped it off to repaint it. Just under the black, I found a layer of what looks like either copper or brass. To smooth it all before painting, I sanded that layer with 400 grit and just under it, it went to a silver color. (hope I described that good enough)
Anyone know anything about this? Maybe a layer of brass or copper to minimize the heat transfer? That's the best guess I have...
I've been looking for 7 years for a lighter in the yards around here! Maybe it's gold plating???