'70 Front turn signal light box reflectorrepair-Help!

[Tim Boyer]

Hi,
I have a '70 911 Targa. The front turn signal boxes are in good shape, however, the chrome/mirror finish on the inside is gone. I tried using chrome paint but that did not turn out so well. I was thinking of getting them powder coated a chrome color, but not sure how well that will work either. Does anyone have any other ideas on how to restore these light boxes?
Thanks,
Tim
PS-My e-mail address is ylboyer@rcn.com if you want to respond to this directly.

[Bobboloo]

The chrome paint like you used or white paint is the best you can do with a "paint on" finish. To replicate the original finish you would need to have them re-plated.

Replacement with some after market units would probably be cheaper than having yours re-plated.

[TRE Cup]

The powder paint process involves putting these cast zinc parts in an oven so the powder will flow out smooth. Its taking a gamble as the heat may warp the part , or release impurities from the metal into the finish.
If you have not had luck with near chrome style paint, and you can't afford to buy new units (aftermarket or oem ), then you may want to consider gluing on broiler thickness household aluminum foil. It can be burnished so it lays pretty flat, shiny, and does not impart too much of the underlying glue impression

If you go for replate in chrome, be aware that the companies charge by the hour on used parts like this. After stripping the pieces, the clean, fill in voids with copper, the plate . If there are hidden voids, they will become apparent after plating. then its strip again, clean, fill, polish, and plate again. Thats the way it is with zinc cast parts. And no two parts will react the same way either

good luck

[ratpiper71T]

Are these actually chrome or vacuum metalized? Not sure if that would make a diffeence on the cost?

[Mike O'Meara]

I was actually quite pleased with the results of chrome paint. Had to prime and spray very carefully as it's prone to run more than any paint I've ever used, but now turn/stop/park/tail lights are bright and done for cheap. What didn't turn out well in your case?

[robmog]

fyi, how i did it also other options.
front turn signal restoration - Early 911S Registry Bulletin Board