Board Logo

Headlight Bowl Re-Silvering
psimitar - February 16th, 2018 at 07:06 PM

I've search but can't find anything yet sure I saw a post of someone saying they knew a place that could re-silver headlight bowls for a reasonable price.

Am I wrong and just going senile?

coletrickle - February 17th, 2018 at 07:46 AM

I used to do them when i worked at the ceramic coating joint. Any place that does exhaust coating should be able to do them. CERAMCHROME seems to be the closest to chrome in finish.

HappyDaze - February 17th, 2018 at 08:09 AM

If you can find someone to do it, RHODIUM plating is the best...better than silver, and heaps better than chrome. :yes:

psimitar - February 17th, 2018 at 08:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by coletrickle
I used to do them when i worked at the ceramic coating joint. Any place that does exhaust coating should be able to do them. CERAMCHROME seems to be the closest to chrome in finish.


But chrome doesn't have the reflective properties of silver. You loose somewhere between 20-30% of the reflected light and the reflected light becomes more yellow than white.

Thanks for the offering though :)

psimitar - February 17th, 2018 at 08:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by HappyDaze
If you can find someone to do it, RHODIUM plating is the best...better than silver, and heaps better than chrome. :yes:


Yea, I've read about Rhodium being better and more durable than silver. I know they coat white gold rings in it to help keep the white from tarnishing to goldy silver.

coletrickle - February 17th, 2018 at 09:08 AM

Mate face it your a cheap ass.When your looking at saving money there is going to be some trade off.o

psimitar - February 17th, 2018 at 01:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by coletrickle
Mate face it your a cheap ass.When your looking at saving money there is going to be some trade off.o


Nope not a cheap ass but not willing to line someone else's pocket. I know reasonable pricing when I see it.

Wizard chrome in Nerang do great chrome on small parts and way more reasonably priced than anyone else in Brissy. Pacific platers were way expensive yet not as expensive as some.

It's not always a case of you pays for what you get.

nbturbo - February 18th, 2018 at 04:45 PM

I had the reflectors resilvered for my Oval about 2004 by somebody that had been doing the job for car restorers for many years.I reckon the shine had gone in about 3 years.I have 90/75 Quartz globes and they are duller than the original 6volt units.I don't use it at night,so haven't worried about the problem.Wouldn't wast my time doing it again.Silver paint from a rattle can would still have more shine.

psimitar - February 18th, 2018 at 05:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by nbturbo
I had the reflectors resilvered for my Oval about 2004 by somebody that had been doing the job for car restorers for many years.I reckon the shine had gone in about 3 years.I have 90/75 Quartz globes and they are duller than the original 6volt units.I don't use it at night,so haven't worried about the problem.Wouldn't wast my time doing it again.Silver paint from a rattle can would still have more shine.


If done properly it should last decades and not years. No matter what wattage bulb you whack in there won't matter if the reflectors are dull. Basic physics.

vw54 - February 18th, 2018 at 08:13 PM

Silver will tarnish over a short period I have some dome and as per Gary they went off in a few years

the original finish is electrostatic applied and is some sort of Alloy don't know what its called

southspark - February 19th, 2018 at 09:36 AM

Dave is right ,none of the replating is successful long term its not cheap but nobody does rhodium plating in this country. New ones are available but at a great cost ($250ea)
I have got two headlight assy.with good original reflectors (90 o/o) that I am taking to the Ballarat swap meet on Friday /Saturday.
Also lots of other VW stuff .

Regards Paul

vwo60 - February 19th, 2018 at 10:38 AM

If you want early reflector Hella now make genuine replacements https://www.coolairvw.co.uk/Item/Shop_by_Vehicle~Beetle_Products~Beetle_Elect...

vw54 - February 19th, 2018 at 07:10 PM

Well 67 quid is GOOD value if they actually have them available

vwo60 - February 19th, 2018 at 09:41 PM

I just bought 2 complete hella headlights out of the states, very good value, replaced the lens wit RHD 911 ones.

psimitar - February 19th, 2018 at 10:40 PM

I wonder what VW used originally that kept there shine for so many years? I can't imagine they used electrostatic ali plating in a vacuum chamber all the way back then?

I also wonder if that silver jewellery immersion liquid would work on tarnished headlights without stripping the thin layer of silver from the bowl?

And if Rhodium plating isn't available in Australia then how do jewellers rhodium plate there white gold products?

Intriguing :D

Plus 67 quid for new reflectors ain't bad really. Might have to put them on my return luggage list for next time I'm over there :)

vwo60 - February 20th, 2018 at 08:43 AM

You will most likely get them out of the states cheaper. I paid $163AUD for the new Hella head light assembly in LHD, even have a stainless steel rim.

southspark - February 20th, 2018 at 09:00 AM

vw60 don't forget to realign the headlight globe for rhd ,you have to file a small square slot in the reflector use your old reflectors as a guide.

Paul

vwo60 - February 20th, 2018 at 12:18 PM

I bought LED globes that are adjustable, they have a locking screw and a clock face to allow the index the adjustment.