Headlamp Re-silvering

[indy4x]

Here is another one https://dual-metallising.co.uk/lighting-reflectors/

Yep, found them and also https://www.vmclimited.co.uk/

Need to strip a lense off a headlamp and send them pictures for a quote

 

[Mike_H]

I think they re-chromed plastic trim on wheeler dealers but that could have been when they were in the USA.

I think they used a place in Birmingham Jewellery Quarter on one show. I don’t suppose that Joe Public would get the same price. Don’t remember if that was metal or plastic reflectors.

 

[Mike_H]

Also, you can get chrome powder coat now. Not sure how well it would last though.

 

[Nomad]

Classic Trafics have a good reputation on the FB Trafic group for rechroming lights.

Other ideas are chrome paint or sticky backed silver foil ( in best blue Peter style..)

 

[Screwdriver]

Silver plate on plastic is not that tricky to do. It is a very common technique in the 3d printing world. Plenty of videos out there showing how it's done. Depends on the plastic type but I've seen graphite conductive layer, plus copper then silver. I haven't tried it myself yet but you could easily do a couple of practice runs before the main event.

You could probably do just as good a job as those hilariously expensive "professionals".

 

[Keithmac]

I have a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZG (Euro version of the ZJ). Headlamps are rubbish as the silvering has deteriorated. Headlamp bowls are plastic, just wondering if anyone has had headlights re-silvered and what the cost was?

Just for clarification, UK spec headlights for a ZG are few and far between, they were not a popular Jeep over here the glass headlight lenses fall out for fun.

I do have 3 sets for spares but the reflectors on all of them are poor

The other option I have looked at is buying new European spec headlamps and swapping the lenses over from my UK spec lights, US versions are not an option as the Yanks didn't do H4 bulbs in the ZJ. However, I am unable to determine if the reflectors are different, I don't think they are as it looks like the beam pattern is managed by the lens and not the reflector.

Have a good look at the reflectors on the Euro headlights before buying.

We imported a lot of European bikes and had to modify the headlights for UK beam pattern. Some (most) had to have the reflector painted out.

Ironically we used chrome paint for some as it didn't look out of place but didn't reflect the light.

The low beam "kick up" was a formed part of the reflector on a lot of H4 headlights.