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Posted by: 7TPorsh Jul 22 2008, 01:21 PM

Well my front and rear light fixtures have lost their silvery shine. Corrosion has taken over. Rathere than buy new everything, I tried painting the reflector surfaces with chrome paint. Kinda shiney but really no cigar.

What are my alternatives? Are they easily plated? Will white paint reflect better?

Posted by: zig-n-zag Jul 22 2008, 02:48 PM

7TPorsh, Look for chrome adhesive-backed tape. Places like Checkers have it, but I'm kinda searching for "engine-turned" tape where it may throw off more light. Or polish/buff out, or chrome it, or buy good used.

Posted by: 7TPorsh Jul 22 2008, 03:08 PM

good idea, didn't think of that.

hmm...I wonder how small they make those little mirror tiles for mosaics.

Posted by: Sleepin Jul 23 2008, 01:08 AM

All your lights could shine like disco balls!

Posted by: jmmotorsports Jul 23 2008, 08:01 AM

Eastwood has a reflective aluminum paint for this. Part # 100052. I have used it on my light housings and have been happy with the results. www.eastwood.com

Jerry

Posted by: TedK Jul 23 2008, 09:12 AM

Anyone use this stuff? Looks promising but a bit pricey.

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killercans/kc/killerchrome.htm

Posted by: klikkid3 Jul 27 2008, 06:18 PM

It wasnt untill I read this topic that I even considered redoing the buckets but I figured what the heck. I used steel wool on the inside to clean them out than masked off the surrounding are, Went to autozone and was stuck between aluminum tape or "Chrome" like spray paint. Guy behind the counter recomended the paint. Used about three coats and then a clear coat for good luck and then another coat of the chrome again and WOW big time difference in brightness. Thanks for the idea.

Posted by: Todd Enlund Jul 27 2008, 10:43 PM

I do plastic models, and for a shiny metal finish, nothing beats this:

http://www.alclad2.com/alclad-home.html

If you want to try an adhesive product, this is VERY thin and will conform to everything:

http://www.bare-metal.com/bare-metal-foil.html

Neither would be durable enough to stand up if they were exposed, but in a light bucket, they should work fine.

Another method is using aluminum powder on fresh paint (silver, white, or surprisingly, black) that is dry but still soft. Buff it in to the paint until it shines.

Posted by: 70Sixter Jul 30 2008, 02:44 PM

Crude but effective - I used aluminum foil some years ago. Maybe with rubber cement. Memory is the 2nd thing to go.