Alty 10 Posted February 27, 2014 Looking to refurb my headlights Rather than spend a fortune on new ones! The only bit I would like to replace is the reflective internals (Sorry don't know the actual name for them) Can you buy these ? Would appreciate any help finding them or names/part numbers. Thanks Scott Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davidwort 0 Posted February 27, 2014 nope not any more, but there was a place we found that re-silvered the plastic reflectors, but it was quite pricey, over £50 a reflector I think Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alty 10 Posted February 27, 2014 Any ideas on the name of the place ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 2 Posted February 27, 2014 It was these chaps if I remember correctly! Not sure if anyone ever actually got any done with them though! http://www.dual-metallising.co.uk/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g0ldf1ng3r 15 Posted February 27, 2014 whilst we are on about refurb'ing head lights...... does anyone know if it is possible to fix/replace the plastic tabs which allow the head light adjustment? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alty 10 Posted February 27, 2014 I have a friend that owns a chrome dip etc... before I sound like a idiot and ask him is there something special about the reflective coat ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fla 9 Posted February 27, 2014 it will need to be fairly heat resistant for long duration and not attack the plastic. If he has done headlight reflectors he'll probably know about those! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Bowen 1 Posted February 27, 2014 whilst we are on about refurb'ing head lights...... does anyone know if it is possible to fix/replace the plastic tabs which allow the head light adjustment? yes, you can fit new ones, not sure where they come from through, i found mine on ebay. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g0ldf1ng3r 15 Posted February 27, 2014 yes, you can fit new ones, not sure where they come from through, i found mine on ebay. Oooo i thought i had seen something along those lines. Can you recall your search string for the bay jim? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
renson 0 Posted February 27, 2014 i had some aluminum tape we use to hold heater mats on DSM's for emissions tests. They heat up to nearly 100 degrees so figured it should be ok. Only had a few bits of the chrome off headlight so made some little patches to cover where needed and they have been fine. You cannot really see them either. Its cheap and worth a try, looks better than before. You may even be able to get some larger sheets to make complete patches i'm not sure. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/aluminium-foil-tape-1-roll-75mm-wide-by-45-meters-long-/201041225492 (bit like this) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Bowen 1 Posted February 27, 2014 Oooo i thought i had seen something along those lines. Can you recall your search string for the bay jim? It was just a guy selling one that he hadn't used. not a supplier. I have heard sonar/solar whatever the aftermarket lights sell them as spares for their units, keep meaning to find out if they fit a standard headlight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fla 9 Posted February 27, 2014 i had some aluminum tape we use to hold heater mats on DSM's for emissions tests. They heat up to nearly 100 degrees so figured it should be ok. Only had a few bits of the chrome off headlight so made some little patches to cover where needed and they have been fine. You cannot really see them either. Its cheap and worth a try, looks better than before. You may even be able to get some larger sheets to make complete patches i'm not sure. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/aluminium-foil-tape-1-roll-75mm-wide-by-45-meters-long-/201041225492 (bit like this) that looks like a good idea - can it be easily moulded into the profile of the reflector without any creases? I'd be interested in seeing some pics of your lights with these stuck on. I assume it is self adhesive too? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomi 10 Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) i had some aluminum tape we use to hold heater mats on DSM's for emissions tests. They heat up to nearly 100 degrees so figured it should be ok. Only had a few bits of the chrome off headlight so made some little patches to cover where needed and they have been fine. You cannot really see them either. Its cheap and worth a try, looks better than before. You may even be able to get some larger sheets to make complete patches i'm not sure. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/aluminium-foil-tape-1-roll-75mm-wide-by-45-meters-long-/201041225492 (bit like this) i dont think this is a good idea your light patern will be very poor with that aluminium tape the only way to have it done, and make sure it is done the right way is: 1st - buy new reflectors ( reflective part inside the headlight, If it is still available, i am not sure it is) 2nd- u have to find company which can redo your old refloctors to the same standard as new ones but it must be Company which specialize in car headlight restoriation, only they will know how it have to be done this is the only way to have it done in a right way aluminium tape etc , will make your lights even worse thank u have now i had that done to my headlights (reflector restoration), and i can say it is great result after that Edited February 27, 2014 by tomi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomi 10 Posted February 27, 2014 here are the pix of mine redone http://imageshack.com/a/img203/3075/uu49.jpg and on the car http://imageshack.com/a/img42/8117/23i8.jpg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diarmaid16 1 Posted February 27, 2014 They look great Tomi! How much did that cost? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomi 10 Posted February 27, 2014 £25 each They look great Tomi! How much did that cost? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clumpy1 11 Posted February 27, 2014 £25 each Who done them for you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomi 10 Posted February 27, 2014 Company which does it over here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
renson 0 Posted February 28, 2014 It didn't effect the light pattern. I believe that glass and position of the bulb dictate that. It probably does however effect the light output. I run an uprated loom and uprated bulbs so even with the tape the output was still far better than the factory headlights and still gave a good amount of light and passed the MoT with them. The UK mot only test the headlight for position and light pattern. We do not test LUX like some other countries. It was a good repair for tidying them up and improving what i had to hand. I also couldn't be without lights in the car while they were away. I only replaced the units as there was a tab broken on each. There is no denying that your solution is far better and would be ideal. Mine was just what i had at the time, cheap and done the job required. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wompa 0 Posted March 3, 2014 I would like to know a company that does this resilvering process on the reflectors. Mine a bust and would need a refurb. Maybe refurb my four other reflectors so that I have a set :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dude VR6 0 Posted March 13, 2014 http://www.dual-metallising.co.uk/reflectors.html Have a read of this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 2 Posted March 13, 2014 No one? The link I posted on the first page, and which Miles has reposted!! :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thesingh 0 Posted March 20, 2014 Iv rang these guys and they gave me a rough quote with out seeing them of either £50 or £90 plus Vat (I cant remember which one). There website is down at the moment, but here their details. The London Chroming Co Ltd Address: 735 Old Kent Rd, London SE15 1JL Phone:020 7639 6434 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thesingh 0 Posted March 20, 2014 Just dug into some old emails, I found a quote from these guys, http://www.ashfordchroming.com for £190 + P&P + vat and Insurances. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites