Headlight reflector corroded
#1
05-07-2018, 02:45 PM
Headlight reflector corroded
Does anyone know where I could get the metal parabolic reflector that goes behind the headlight bulb for a RHD 1998 XKR? I don’t need the rest of the headlight and €330 secondhand seems a lot just to get over this relatively small issue.
Is the reflector common to any other cars that I could look out for parts from? It seems to me like something that would suit parts sharing.
Or failing that, would anyone have (for a price) the reflector from a damaged headlight or a damaged headlight that I could take apart?
Is the reflector common to any other cars that I could look out for parts from? It seems to me like something that would suit parts sharing.
Or failing that, would anyone have (for a price) the reflector from a damaged headlight or a damaged headlight that I could take apart?
Last edited by dhog4n; 05-07-2018 at 02:50 PM. Reason: Forgot to add a bit
#3
05-08-2018, 08:46 AM
#4
05-08-2018, 05:16 PM
My main beam reflectors had gone rusty (HID headlights) and i found a simple solution. I used modellers bare metal foil, cheap and cheerful and good enough to pass the UK MOT.
You have to remove the headlight which is not particularly easy and separate the glass from the plastic body and apply the foil. Its held up fine for 3 years now and cost under £10.
follow this link to see what I'm talking about:-
https://hobby.uk.com/bare-metal-foil...ra-bright.html
I can't remember the exact foil I used but this is very similar.
You have to remove the headlight which is not particularly easy and separate the glass from the plastic body and apply the foil. Its held up fine for 3 years now and cost under £10.
follow this link to see what I'm talking about:-
https://hobby.uk.com/bare-metal-foil...ra-bright.html
I can't remember the exact foil I used but this is very similar.
#6
05-09-2018, 04:37 AM
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Johnken (07-11-2018)
#7
07-11-2018, 06:24 AM
Update
I thought I would update on this: I found a second hand headlight from a breaker in the end.
The reflector looked ok on initial inspection but it turned out to have been painted with a chrome effect spray, so I figured I would see if I could do better with the chrome effect foil. I gave it a coat of VHT clear lacquer in an effort to avoid it tarnishing too quickly. The end result is a little better than the paint, but it should be more heat resistant at least.
I’ll try posting up some photos in a bit.
The reflector looked ok on initial inspection but it turned out to have been painted with a chrome effect spray, so I figured I would see if I could do better with the chrome effect foil. I gave it a coat of VHT clear lacquer in an effort to avoid it tarnishing too quickly. The end result is a little better than the paint, but it should be more heat resistant at least.
I’ll try posting up some photos in a bit.
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#8
07-11-2018, 08:19 AM
That's great. You have saved a fortune compared to a new headlight unit and no one will notice the difference. It was a good idea to give it a coat of lacquer, I never thought of that.
I did my headlights over 3 years ago and the foil is still ok with no peeling or tarnishing. I'm sure that with the lacquer spray you used, they will last a long time before needing attention.
I did my headlights over 3 years ago and the foil is still ok with no peeling or tarnishing. I'm sure that with the lacquer spray you used, they will last a long time before needing attention.
#9
07-12-2018, 06:36 AM
Senior Member
there are hobbyists who specialize in painting chrome and color tinted chrome finishes on a variety of surfaces. one that i know told me that he could easily refinish headlight reflectors to better than new. a search might find one near you. inquire with some auto customization shops that sell window tint and chrome accessories.
#10
07-12-2018, 08:00 AM
I have seen silver coating kits on ebay that make great claims but I didn’t think they were plausible. Maybe I’m wrong on that.
I did eventually find an email for a guy in Germany who offers a resilvering service. He quoted €35 per reflector plus postage for doing fully disassembled reflectors (all disassembly and reassembly at my end). If I need to do this again, I’ll be taking him up on his quote.
I did eventually find an email for a guy in Germany who offers a resilvering service. He quoted €35 per reflector plus postage for doing fully disassembled reflectors (all disassembly and reassembly at my end). If I need to do this again, I’ll be taking him up on his quote.
#11
07-12-2018, 08:17 AM
The original headlamp, front removed.
The painted second hand reflector.
Paint removed with acetone.
The first piece of foil in place and smoothed out by hand.
After spraying with lacquer, showing the materials I used.
The final result after drying over night. Not perfect, but better than where I started from.
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fmertz (07-12-2018)
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04-15-2020, 02:17 PM
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04-15-2020, 02:48 PM
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