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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ What to do about fog light reflectors?
Posted by: GeorgeKopf Oct 2 2021, 07:49 PM
I was trying to address a little bit of rust on the rims of my fog light reflectors, so I dipped the rims in EvapoRust and it took the shinny right off. It looked terrible so I decided to take it all off and start from scratch.
It looks like there is a layer of paint or sealer that the reflector coating was adhered to.
I'm wondering if:
1. Anyplace has these for sale new?
2. Can I just strip and paint with silver paint?
3. Should these things be chromed?
Thanks.
George
Posted by: Shivers Oct 3 2021, 05:34 AM
You could try one of these: https://alsacorp.com/product-category/chrome-paints/
Or send them out to be plated. If you have a local resto shop around, see if they will send them in when they send in theirs. Cheaper if you send in a bunch of stuff, I did an air cleaner lid on an old T-Bird, $200.00 minimum on a run. And that was a life time ago, don't know what it would be now.
Posted by: partwerks Oct 3 2021, 06:51 AM
Or would it not look right having them plated yellow?
Posted by: Superhawk996 Oct 3 2021, 07:03 AM
1st off. Have you tried to polish what is still there? Not sure what the grey base metal is, but, it might polish with a little Simichrome or soemthing like that. May be worth a try.
The best way would probably be to re-chrome. But, as previously stated I think you're going to find that unaffordable for just these parts unless they can be batched with a much larger job.
I'd probably opt for Bright Zinc. Can easily be done with an Eastwood Tin/Zinc (easier) or Caswell Zinc plating kit (better but involves more effort) at home.
Even the super simple Eastwood Tin/Zinc kit will polish up to a lovely shine. The problem is that you have to then clear coat that Tin/Zinc with something like Nyalic to keep it shiny. I used that Eastwood Tin/Zinc process on restoration on a 1964 Honda Dream for many fasteners that were unique and couldn't be obtained back in mid-90's. They still look great and have a nice shine. Not chrome, but definately silver, shiny and good looking.
https://www.eastwood.com/ew-electroplating-system-tin-zinc.html
Eastwood used to sell Nyalic clear coat especially for use with that Tin/Zinc kit. Tractor Supply now sells it. I can vouch that the old stuff from the 90's hasn't yellowed. Haven't used it lately so not sure about modern formulation of Nyalic. Supposed to be good up to 350F which is probably plenty for fog lamp reflectors.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/nyalic-clearcoat-rust-corrosion-protectant-12-oz-aerosol-can-covers-up-to-90sf-hbi-101-1a-1587310?cm_mmc=feed-_-GoogleShopping-_-Product-_-1587310&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0NTo4KWu8wIVkhx9Ch3FSgn8EAQYASABEgI6CPD_BwE
Posted by: Spoke Oct 3 2021, 08:20 AM
Shameless plug time...
You could aways dump the reflector and bulb, install LEDs, get 2x intensity for 1/3 the power.
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Posted by: bbrock Oct 3 2021, 09:03 AM
I had good luck with https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mirror-Chrome-Aerosol-Paint/dp/B0015H1FGA for my turn signal buckets. There are good Youtube vids on it, and it can also be found at many Radio Shack stores. Not a mirror finish but you don't need that for reflectance. I didn't spray a base of high gloss black as recommended for best results, but it turned out good enough for me. You can read more on my http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&showtopic=307290&view=findpost&p=2801333.
Posted by: Ansbacher Oct 3 2021, 10:19 AM
As a stop gap in the past, I resurfaced the insides of several lamp assemblies with aluminum A/C duct tape. It is highly reflective and with care can be molded to surfaces with great results.
Ansbacher
Posted by: Superhawk996 Oct 3 2021, 11:04 AM
Shameless plug time...
Really a Public Service Announcement. I didn't realize these were available. Nice job creating that product!
Posted by: mepstein Oct 3 2021, 11:15 AM
Shameless plug time...
Really a Public Service Announcement. I didn't realize these were available. Nice job creating that product!
All of Spoke’s products are awesome and very inexpensive compared to what the 911 guys pay to get done.
Posted by: 930cabman Oct 3 2021, 02:19 PM
As a stop gap in the past, I resurfaced the insides of several lamp assemblies with aluminum A/C duct tape. It is highly reflective and with care can be molded to surfaces with great results.
Ansbacher
Cheap simple easy, thanks for the tip
Posted by: Spoke Oct 4 2021, 10:12 AM
As a stop gap in the past, I resurfaced the insides of several lamp assemblies with aluminum A/C duct tape. It is highly reflective and with care can be molded to surfaces with great results.
Ansbacher
Here's a Triumph TR6 rear light fixture with the A/C reflective duct tape. Looks pretty good.
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Posted by: GeorgeKopf Oct 4 2021, 05:49 PM
I had good luck with https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mirror-Chrome-Aerosol-Paint/dp/B0015H1FGA for my turn signal buckets. There are good Youtube vids on it, and it can also be found at many Radio Shack stores. Not a mirror finish but you don't need that for reflectance. I didn't spray a base of high gloss black as recommended for best results, but it turned out good enough for me. You can read more on my http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&showtopic=307290&view=findpost&p=2801333.
Brent,
It is funny you mentioned this approach. I'm currently refurbishing my turn signal housings and converting them to the euro 2 bulb setup. I will give Spaz Stix a shot and update this post with pictures.
George
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