Board Logo
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
[ Total Views: 1271 | Total Replies: 17 | Thread Id: 113099 ]
Author: Subject:  Headlight Bowl Re-Silvering
Memberpsimitar
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
******


Avatar


Posts: 2506
Threads: 148
Registered: January 1st, 2009
Member Is Offline

Location: North East Melbourne, VIC
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue

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


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?




madness is in the eye of the beholder :yes:
Membercoletrickle
Wolfsburg Wizard
***


No Avatar


Posts: 661
Threads: 34
Registered: April 22nd, 2009
Member Is Offline

Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )

posted on 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.
MemberHappyDaze
A.k.a.: Greg Mackie
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
Superannuated
******


Avatar


Posts: 2887
Threads: 141
Registered: June 13th, 2009
Member Is Offline

Location: Southern Highlands NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Happy enough

posted on 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:



I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
Memberpsimitar
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
******


Avatar


Posts: 2506
Threads: 148
Registered: January 1st, 2009
Member Is Offline

Location: North East Melbourne, VIC
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue

posted on 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 :)




madness is in the eye of the beholder :yes:
Memberpsimitar
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
******


Avatar


Posts: 2506
Threads: 148
Registered: January 1st, 2009
Member Is Offline

Location: North East Melbourne, VIC
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue

posted on 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.




madness is in the eye of the beholder :yes:
Membercoletrickle
Wolfsburg Wizard
***


No Avatar


Posts: 661
Threads: 34
Registered: April 22nd, 2009
Member Is Offline

Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )

posted on 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
Memberpsimitar
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
******


Avatar


Posts: 2506
Threads: 148
Registered: January 1st, 2009
Member Is Offline

Location: North East Melbourne, VIC
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue

posted on 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.




madness is in the eye of the beholder :yes:
Membernbturbo
Veteran Volks Folk
*****


Avatar


Posts: 2171
Threads: 89
Registered: December 19th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Whyalla Sth.Aust.
Theme: UltimaBB Powder

posted on 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.
Memberpsimitar
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
******


Avatar


Posts: 2506
Threads: 148
Registered: January 1st, 2009
Member Is Offline

Location: North East Melbourne, VIC
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue

posted on 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.




madness is in the eye of the beholder :yes:
Super Administratorvw54
Super Administrator
Always Waiting 4 Friday
*********

Rank Avatar

No Avatar


Posts: 16723
Threads: 378
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Sunny Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Oval resto ongoing

posted on 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




Membersouthspark
Seriously Crusin Dubber
**


No Avatar


Posts: 130
Threads: 9
Registered: March 8th, 2007
Member Is Offline

Location: Tassie
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: always helpful(not to dickheads)

posted on 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
Membervwo60
Veteran Volks Folk
*****


Avatar


Posts: 2036
Threads: 71
Registered: February 13th, 2007
Member Is Offline

Location: Pomona Qld
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue
Mood: good

posted on 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...
Super Administratorvw54
Super Administrator
Always Waiting 4 Friday
*********

Rank Avatar

No Avatar


Posts: 16723
Threads: 378
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Sunny Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Oval resto ongoing

posted on February 19th, 2018 at 07:10 PM



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



Membervwo60
Veteran Volks Folk
*****


Avatar


Posts: 2036
Threads: 71
Registered: February 13th, 2007
Member Is Offline

Location: Pomona Qld
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue
Mood: good

posted on 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.
Memberpsimitar
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
******


Avatar


Posts: 2506
Threads: 148
Registered: January 1st, 2009
Member Is Offline

Location: North East Melbourne, VIC
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue

posted on 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 :)




madness is in the eye of the beholder :yes:
Membervwo60
Veteran Volks Folk
*****


Avatar


Posts: 2036
Threads: 71
Registered: February 13th, 2007
Member Is Offline

Location: Pomona Qld
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue
Mood: good

posted on 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.
Membersouthspark
Seriously Crusin Dubber
**


No Avatar


Posts: 130
Threads: 9
Registered: March 8th, 2007
Member Is Offline

Location: Tassie
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: always helpful(not to dickheads)

posted on 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
Membervwo60
Veteran Volks Folk
*****


Avatar


Posts: 2036
Threads: 71
Registered: February 13th, 2007
Member Is Offline

Location: Pomona Qld
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue
Mood: good

posted on 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.


  Go To Top


Powered by GaiaBB, © 2011 The GaiaBB Group


[ Queries: 40 ] [ PHP: 3.5% - SQL: 96.5% ]