reflector problem

[tim-andre]

one of my reflector's is really crappy, and i wonder if a reflector from another car fits? volvo 240 maybe?
or does anyone know how i can resilver it myself?

[broady81]

As far as I'm aware, there is no direct replacement. You can pick up brand new complete headlight assemblies, but only one side is readily available (N/S I think).

I have tried everything to clean the reflectors: metal cleaning polish, soap, microfibre cloths, the lot. Nothing seems to work. They just damage the coating. If someone could provide a solution, that would be appreciated from me too

[tim-andre]

hmm, have to find a spare parts car then

tried cleaning them yesterday, one of them got better, and the other one got worse, my best advise is do not touch the reflector with paper or anything else, kinda rubs the coating of and makes them worse
would be nice to find a solution, i checked around some yesterday about it, and some temprary solutions is spraying a new silver coat over them, but it will never get good, and another one is alu-tape, but not a good option
you can try ?electrolysis? but im not sure if it will work

[Ride_on]

Would be nice to get a solution for this. It should be possible professionally to recoat with aluminium and then a clear protective coat, not doable well at home, never mind find the right materials.

I actually thought it was vaccum deposited plastic but they are steel reflectors. They could be chromed, but aluminium is brighter. My glass is well pitted too after 200K miles, should probably get new complete modules, but at £45+delivery I'm too mean.

[tim-andre]

would be really nice
well, my reflectors cant get any worse, so i think its worth a try

anyone have the measurements for the reflector? im thinking of buying ones from a 240, since there are quite a few at the scrap, nut not sure if they would fitt

[pettaw]

AFAIK, 240 ones won't fit. I think someone looked into the possibility of getting the reflectors resurfaced, dunno if anybody remembers. Sometimes NOS ones crop up on ebay, but otherwise its a case of trawling scrappies until you find a car with headlights in good shape. Trouble is that either you get a crack in the lens or the rubber seal goes funny and damp gets in which corrodes the surface. Any sort of abrasive, rubbing, polishing etc only serves to rub more of the coating off rather than improve matters because its so thin.

[tim-andre]

thanks for the info
i kinda found that out, one of them got better thou

[Chris_C]

I've posted up on this board a company in Birmingham who thought they were able to do it... but I don't think anyone ever tried it?

[tim-andre]

dunno, kinda far for me to send them

[Chris_C]

Lol, sorry dude, didn't see you were in Norway!

[Hell Driver]

Chris, just done a search for the post regarding re-silvering of reflectors, unable to find it.

Is this the place, looks expensive and for vintage cars only?
http://www.geniusofthelamp.co.uk/servic ... estoration

I think ours are aluminium plated, hence the corrosion.

I think it is possible to have them plated with something else, then chrome for a better effect but it will be really expensive, I abandoned the idea a year ago as I managed to buy some NOS units.

I'm currently trying to find some really good Mk1 reflectors for a project and have a pair of reasonable ones at last, although I'm still on the lookout for better.

I've just tried some experiments with cleaning/polishing quite bad ones with some success, I'll be posting the results soon.

[tim-andre]

Lol, sorry dude, didn't see you were in Norway!

no problem

Chris, just done a search for the post regarding re-silvering of reflectors, unable to find it.

Is this the place, looks expensive and for vintage cars only?
http://www.geniusofthelamp.co.uk/servic ... estoration

I think ours are aluminium plated, hence the corrosion.

I think it is possible to have them plated with something else, then chrome for a better effect but it will be really expensive, I abandoned the idea a year ago as I managed to buy some NOS units.

I'm currently trying to find some really good Mk1 reflectors for a project and have a pair of reasonable ones at last, although I'm still on the lookout for better.

I've just tried some experiments with cleaning/polishing quite bad ones with some success, I'll be posting the results soon.

ive red some about it, and chrome doesnt work that well for reflecting light as silver or aluminium apparently
good luck, im searching for some good ones for mine as well
and you really shuldnt rub anything on the reflectors, rubs the aluminium or silver away