On horse cars, and the early electrics, cars were finished according to the standards of the horse drawn carriages of the time. The carefully constructed and fitted wooden panels and moldings were given as many as 15 hand rubbed coats of paint and varnish, providing both a beautiful appearance and resistance to the weather. Furthermore, this finish often included lettering showing not just the name of the company but the route on which the car operated and the destinations (picture 1). Some companies even went so far as to paint cars different colors for different routes. In some cases, elaborately painted pictures might be added. But even when such elaboration was not included, panels usually were outlined with gold leaf, often with elaborated geometric figures in the middle or at corners (picture 2).

However, with the new century and changing tastes – and also with reduction of profitability of trolley operation – finish gradually became simpler. The need to be able to use cars on different routes ended special colors, and route designations painted on cars were replaced by removable route signs (picture 3). Outlining of sides remained common for another 20 years, but the geometric figures were simplified or eliminated (picture 4)

With the coming of steel cars the painting process became much simples because steel did not receive – or need — the careful finishing used on wood Picture 5.