H4 Reflector Rechroming?

[grsilvia]

The reflectors on my H4's are in need of refinishing. The passenger side throws out less light than the driver's side and is noticibly dimmer. I removed both, expecting them to only need cleaning, but they are both quite tarnished. I tried some never-dull on the back of the reflector and it started to remove the finish/plating.

I called a local plating company and it would cost ~$35 each to get chrome plating.

The reflectors are a Bosch product.

Has anyone replaced or re-plated them? Pelican doesn't list the reflectors, so are they available as a single part or would I need to buy the whole assembly? Maybe it's a dealer only item?

Thanks for any input,
Gary
90 C2 turbo Cab

[Dan Owens]

Gary,

I don't have an answer for you but do have the same problem myself. I've been wondering if you can replate them and it sounds as if you can. I don't think $35 is too bad and don't think you can get just the reflector separate. If you can I would think it's gonna be more than $35 each. Maybe someone with experience will jump in here.

Dan O
84' 3.2 Targa

[Fishcop]

Here you go!

H1 Restoration Project (pics)

[grsilvia]

Thanks John, looks like chrome plating is what I'll do.

I did a Pelican search, but on "H4 reflectors" and didn't turn up what I was looking for.

Gary

[Fishcop]

Gary, be aware that the chroming process is not the same as the original form of plating used by bosch. Bosch use some kind of film and vacuum process. The plating (if done well) will certainly suffice.

To be honest, I probably would not have gone to the trouble on H4s, but H1s are much rarer.

Good luck

[Ron Egan]

Gary,

John is correct, the reflectors were originally vaccum metallized and not chrome plated. I would check with Bosch to see if they offer the reflector assembly as a service part.

Ron
'85 911 Targa

[RSBob]

Gary,

What is the name and address of your plating company. Up here in Seattle, they are charging a minimum of $140 to rechrome 2 fog light reflectors off an early car. Yours sounds like one heck of a deal.

Thanks,

[Teutonics]

Same here in ATL, $70 each to chrome. I'd happily ship them off to AZ for that price!

[grsilvia]

I called "Ideal Custom Plating" here in Tuscon and explained what I had over the phone. I'll bring them to him sometime next week so he can see what I was talking about.

If, in fact, he can do these for ~$70 per pair and they turn out well, I'd be happy to work with any of you to get yours done.

Worst case scenario is they melt during the chroming process. Is "Reynolds Wrap" reflective enough?

I got started on this project by first installing relays to get more power to the headlights and increase the brightness. It seemed to work, but the light was still a little dim. So, I figure with a chrome surface to reflect the light, they should be a lot brighter. Even with the stock H4 bulbs.

I'll post more when they're done with some pics. Also, the shop said turn around time is about 10 days.

Gary

[pwd72s]

Here's a link to a brit light restoration service...I'd bet they charge a lot more than $35 per...
http://www.vintage-headlamp-restoration.com/index.htm

[Joeaksa]

Gary,

I have several (3 or 4) H-1 lights that have some reflectors that need plating as well. May be in Tucson next week to boot, in the airport area.

You might see if he would give a better deal on a bulk group of reflectors. The H-1 has dual reflectors if you are not familiar.

Thx,

Joe

[grsilvia]

OK. I'll bring them to him on Monday and post here what he tells me. I'll also ask him about a group discount.

Gary

[grsilvia]

Brought the reflectors to Don at Ideal Plating. He looked them over and said there shouldn't be any problems having them chrome plated. He quoted me $80 for the pair and said to call him Wednesday to see if they're finished.

I mentioned that there might be some interest from others to have this done, he said he does a lot of mail order stuff.

Will post some before and after pics when I get them back.

Also the Southern Arizona Region PCA is having a Cinco de Mayo concours on Saturday (May 3) at the Tucson Country Club, if the reflectors are done by then, anyone interested can see them up close. Otherwise the pics will have to do.

Lastly, I went to the local P-car dealer to get a price on replacements, he said $242 each and there were only 57 of them in the US.

Gary

[gregk1]

I have an old set of Cibie lights with bad reflectors an have thought about having them powder coated in chrome, I had some cam boxes done and they are real bright , anyone have any thoughts on that, it would be alot cheeper and last forever ????

[grsilvia]

gregk1,

I called a local powder coating co and asked if they had anything close to chrome. The guy told me they had a bright silver, but nothing like chrome. I don't know how bright it would be or how expensive. I went with the rechroming so I would get as bright a headlight as is legal. I also installed headlight relays which made the headlights slightly brighter.

I might be picking these up tomorrow and I'll post before and after pics.

Gary

[grsilvia]

The reflectors turned out looking great. Here are before and after pics.

[grsilvia]

And after.

[Fishcop]

They look really nice Gary. Like I said earlier, once chromed they're not 100% factory, but behind the lenses no one will ever know. Good result.

Cheers

[Joeaksa]

How about an address and phone? Will send him down some more!

Thanks,

Joe

[grsilvia]

Talk to Don at Ideal Custom Plating 520-882-9090. My refectors were in good condition and cost $86.08 with tax. If they needed some repair then the price would be higher.

I adjusted the headlighs and went for a drive, they are definitely brighter.

Gary