Headlight reflector refurbishing--how to?

[MIK911]

My H1 reflectors are dulled due to age. How to refurbish?
This thread shows a Pelicanite CHROMING the reflectors, but later in the thread, it seems others state that chroming is not the way to go.
H1 Restoration Project (pics)

Anyone clean/polish, etc the inside reflectors of the headlight to help with light output?
Higher wattage bulbs and relays already in the works.

thanks

[DRACO A5OG]

Well, from what I read, Aluminizing will give the best light reflective output vs. Chroming. Chroming will give them a nice look but lack of function.

I must agree. I did a ghetto repair to one of my rear brake lights the reflective material flaked off. I got some Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil and Rubber Cemented it in place.

Low and Behold the repaired side was just as bright as the good side.

My observations

[spuggy]

I believe that they were originally silver-plated after reading the blurb from these guys:

http://www.vintage-headlamp-restoration.co.uk/

These guys also supply Marchal lamps and lenses, which might be of interest to the longhood/356 folks.

[Howard M]

First, try carefully cleaning the reflective surface by working through the bulb holes.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Howard M

First, try carefully cleaning the reflective surface by working through the bulb holes.

H1's are rather accessible. You might be thinking of H5's. If they are silver, whey not try a non abrasive silver polish? We have on here in the cupboard that s supposed to leave minute amounts of new silver behind. I sorta wonder though....

[carsngolf]

The main reflector in one of my pair was in poor condition. It had been rubbed with a polish of some sort which took off the aluminum plating in one spot. I consulted with Grady Clay who was against chrome plating and suggested finding a company to redo the aluminum coating. Despite many, many hours of searching and correspondence, I finally gave up. Since the surface was beyond help and having nothing to lose, I polished it myself with rouge and a buffing wheel. It came out reasonably well but I'm sure a professional would do a much better job of it. It also was now unprotected so I used carnauba wax on it. Likely, the wax will deteriorate from the heat of the bulb but I rarely drive the car at night anyway. It's a vast improvement over what it was but is not the answer. I read the thread referring to chrome plating and the supposedly lower reflectivity which I find a bit difficult to believe. I would think a copper-nickel-chrome finish would be very close to the original aluminum coating but that's only an opinion. I'd sure like to see a scientific report.

[MIK911]

Polishing the reflector (like above), using a buffer or some type of metal polish might be worth a try. Would a high temp CLEAR rattle can spray over this polished reflector be recommended? otherwise, I think the polish will tarnish over time.

or maybe a better 'ghetto' idea of Draco's aluminum foil experiment?
There might be some reflective tape (muffler tape at Pep Boys??) or other reflective material one might find at Home Depot?

thanks

[RWebb]

I would find a company that does this if at all possible - keep searching.

Otherwise, I would make friends with an amateur astronomer - they will have groups/societies in every city even a small one. Do something less time consuming than what they do for their mirrors - i.e. if they do 8 steps, you could do the 1st five or six steps.

The H1's are just too rare and expensive to do a halfway job on.

I'd also look at mounting the bowl in lather and then using a polisher that counter rotates against that or cross rotates - this will cut the time of each step.

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by MIK911

Polishing the reflector (like above), using a buffer or some type of metal polish might be worth a try. Would a high temp CLEAR rattle can spray over this polished reflector be recommended? otherwise, I think the polish will tarnish over time.

or maybe a better 'ghetto' idea of Draco's aluminum foil experiment?
There might be some reflective tape (muffler tape at Pep Boys??) or other reflective material one might find at Home Depot?

thanks

Try the foil with water based adhesive spray. It will look ugly but behind the lens you should not notice, it is the brightness that counts. Try triangle shaped panels to conform to the curviture of the dome. I saw a show on the Discovery Channel where they showed how to apply gold foil.

Compare the old one with the rehabed one if you don't like it remove the foil and rinse off the adhesive. My $.02 cents.

Keep us updated.

[RWebb]

If you do that to H1's the concours people will murder you in your sleep...

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by RWebb

If you do that to H1's the concours people will murder you in your sleep...

Ha Ha, True very True

In any case, it's your project brother

[pwd72s]

You might email this guy:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

He might know of a professional lighting restoration firm in North America that could handle the job.

Hey, you could always go back to USA equipment sealed beams.

[RickM]

It worth trying a non abrasive cleaner called NOXON. Sold at most supermarkets.
The only barrier to success may be the damage done by buffing.

[RickM]

Reflector refinishing/resilvering services: http://www.stevesautorestorations.com/headlight.php

Steve's Auto Restorations
4440 S.E. 174th Ave
Portland, OR 97236

Phone: 503.665.2222

[DRACO A5OG]

That's got to do the trick, no?

INCH BRASS STEEL
2 $40.00 $50.00
3 $54.00 $67.00
3 1/2 $56.00 $70.00
4 $58.00 $73.00
4 1/2 $61.00 $76.00
5 $63.00 $79.00
5 1/2 $71.00 $89.00
6 $78.00 $98.00
6 1/2 $82.00 $103.00
7 $87.00 $109.00


Well at least the concourse judges will not freak out