Silver replaying of headlights

[Cape Codder]

After reading several threads on the subject of restoring the headlight reflectors I think the only option is to have the old ones silver plated. Can someone tell me where this can be done for me to have brighter lights?
Thanks for your time.
Cape Codder

[Mitch//pa]

i read that these improved aluminum coated reflectors are better than having the old ones resilvered. maybe someone can chime in on this

[1crosscut]

I had Craig do mine in silver plating. VERY happy with them. Turn around was very fast and quite reasonable cost. I like to go original if possible.

[email protected] Craig Riker 419-290-4442 (Ohio)

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

i read that these improved aluminum coated reflectors are better than having the old ones resilvered. maybe someone can chime in on this

The aluminum coating (try UVIRA, (541) 474-5050) is almost as good (a few percent) as silver but the advantage is that it has a sealer on it and will not tarnish like silver. This aluminum process is used in space satellites and medical mirrors. Plan on it being more expensive.

Charlie Stephens

[ken ct]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

The aluminum coating (try UVIRA, (541) 474-5050) is almost as good (a few percent) as silver but the advantage is that it has a sealer on it and will not tarnish like silver. This aluminum process is used in space satellites and medical mirrors. Plan on it being more expensive.

Charlie Stephens

They did mine 15-18 yrs ago and still look good. Thats the newest # i have for them too. ken ct. Are they still doing them???

[Elcastor]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I used Chidgey and Sons 619-441-2505 (California) (no web site) about a year ago. I am very pleased with the results! They have been in business a long time and come with high recommendations from people in Califorrnia.

[kingbee]

I bought the new ones from Brattons that are made from the original Ford drawings and they work great, The other aftermarket reflectors are junk, as they can't be focused - Brattons focus just as they should.

[Russ Koch]

Brinkmans, 651-698-8577
65.00 each
Very nice person with quick turnaround

[Carter]

Originally Posted by Russ Koch

Brinkmans, 651-698-8577
65.00 each
Very nice person with quick turnaround

I agree.

[stouchton]

On a different note, I re-plated mine last night using a brush on kit from Caswell in NY.

Kit cost about $50.

I did them pretty quickly, and probably did not lay down as thick of a coat of silver as I should have. I can easily add to it. I was simply making sure I could no longer see the brass underneath. Polished up very nice.

After I got the first one done, wife was amazed at the difference.

Sometime when I am bored I will probably plate them again and polish them better, but it made a night and day difference

[mass A man]

Ask Charlie at South Shore Plating if he can do it. He's right in your back yard, in Quincy I believe. I'm sure he's in the book.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by stouchton

On a different note, I re-plated mine last night using a brush on kit from Caswell in NY.

Kit cost about $50.

I did them pretty quickly, and probably did not lay down as thick of a coat of silver as I should have. I can easily add to it. I was simply making sure I could no longer see the brass underneath. Polished up very nice.

After I got the first one done, wife was amazed at the difference.

Sometime when I am bored I will probably plate them again and polish them better, but it made a night and day difference

You're the first one I've heard of to try this home plating for silver.
Do you have a picture of the new plating?

[stouchton]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

You're the first one I've heard of to try this home plating for silver.
Do you have a picture of the new plating?

I can take a picture tonight!

Mine started out pretty bad. Guess they have been polished for 80 years - pretty much just shiny brass. Reflectors took on a brownish hue when viewed thru the glass. Now they take on a white/silvery hue.

I tried the lights when I had only done one - the replated one was "brighter" - hurt my eyes to look at it. The non-plated one was significantly dimmer.

[Pinstripe]

Yes the details with pistures would be much appreciated. Thanks, Tom

[Tom Wesenberg]

About 15 years ago on TV they were advertising a silver plating polish, so I bought some. It could turn copper pennys silver colored, like the war pennys, but it didn't work at all on my headlamp reflectors.

[stouchton]

pics show after the first replate.

Picture of car was prior to replating (at a local show). You can see a brownish hue in the lights from all the brass showing.

[TomW]

I too had good luck with the Caswell kit - very easy to do. The only catch is that because the plating is a bit thin, the result is only as good as the brass underneath - so if you really shine them up nice before you plate them, they'll look good.

[Ted Duke]

How many reflectors do you estimate you can do with the Caswell kit?

Ted