Head Light Reflectors Re-Chromed

Colin Aitchison · 04-07-17, 09:20 PM

Just a quick one for a change, can anyone recommend any one to re-chrome my head light reflectors.

moonwatcher · 05-07-17, 01:43 PM

Colin you could try
http://www.apmetalising.co.uk
http://www.dual-metallising.co.uk
Birmingham or Derbyshire your choice

quattromnc · 05-07-17, 01:47 PM

I researched this a while ago, was surprised how expensive it was, with 4 reflectors per lamp I found a replacement set in good nick for half the price, would be interesting to see the result.

lefthooker · 05-07-17, 03:29 PM

There are what appear to be some very good chrome effect paint and aerosols on the market these days. A couple of the ones I've been weighing up are Spaz stix which unfortunately seems to be hard to get in th UK:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S91OmJrWc4c

and this which is readily available from CJ Aerosols:

http://www.cjaerosols.com/product/ch...y-paint-400ml/

Haven't used either myself although for the sake of a tenner I'm going to order the CJ aerosol in the near future and have a play.

Anyone any experience of using either of these or similar?

quattromnc · 05-07-17, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefthooker

There are what appear to be some very good chrome effect paint and aerosols on the market these days. A couple of the ones I've been weighing up are Spaz stix which unfortunately seems to be hard to get in th UK:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S91OmJrWc4c

and this which is readily available from CJ Aerosols:

http://www.cjaerosols.com/product/ch...y-paint-400ml/

Haven't used either myself although for the sake of a tenner I'm going to order the CJ aerosol in the near future and have a play.

Anyone any experience of using either of these or similar?

They don't mention they're high temperature paints, I doubt very much they'll survive more than a few minutes with a hot bulb next to it, plus the danger of the thing going up in flames.

That needs to be considered before giving it a go!

lefthooker · 05-07-17, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quattromnc

They don't mention they're high temperature paints, I doubt very much they'll survive more than a few minutes with a hot bulb next to it, plus the danger of the thing going up in flames.

That needs to be considered before giving it a go!

You're absolutely right. Just spoke to someone at CJ Paints and he confirmed for decorative purposes only.

Colin Aitchison · 06-07-17, 10:44 AM

Wee update,
Just had a visit to Merlin Electro Plating Ltd in Newhouse Ind. Est. ML1 5RX just off the M8,
Very nice guy call Andy had a chat with me, I need to remove all the alloy bits and lamp holders from both reflectors and hand them back in to him, it may take up to two weeks at a cost of £40-£50, seems not to bad to me, I will take photos of before and after and post them if I can (photobucket t&c DICKS)

Cynical26 · 19-07-17, 09:47 PM

Hi Colin, interested to see how these turn out. Any update yet?

Colin Aitchison · 20-07-17, 06:11 AM

Hi Cynical26,
Just dropped them off yesterday, I had to remove the alloy lamp holders from the reflectors, just pot-rivets to drill out, was told due to being the holiday time it will take up to 2 weeks but I am not in a hurry because it was a spare set, I will do a post with photos on their return.

Colin Aitchison · 14-08-17, 06:57 PM

I do not recomend Merlin Electro Plating Ltd in Newhouse Ind. Est. ML1 5RX, he could not get the original coating off the originals, 2 weeks wasted.

05-07-17, 01:43 PM	#2
moonwatcher 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Barrow in Furness, Cumbria Posts: 2,049	Colin you could try http://www.apmetalising.co.uk http://www.dual-metallising.co.uk Birmingham or Derbyshire your choice __________________ Coupe Quattro 1985

05-07-17, 01:47 PM	#3
quattromnc Grown up member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Newton Mearns, Glasgow Posts: 177	I researched this a while ago, was surprised how expensive it was, with 4 reflectors per lamp I found a replacement set in good nick for half the price, would be interesting to see the result.

05-07-17, 03:29 PM	#4
lefthooker Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2,655	There are what appear to be some very good chrome effect paint and aerosols on the market these days. A couple of the ones I've been weighing up are Spaz stix which unfortunately seems to be hard to get in th UK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S91OmJrWc4c and this which is readily available from CJ Aerosols: http://www.cjaerosols.com/product/ch...y-paint-400ml/ Haven't used either myself although for the sake of a tenner I'm going to order the CJ aerosol in the near future and have a play. Anyone any experience of using either of these or similar?

06-07-17, 10:44 AM	#7
Colin Aitchison Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Back home in Tillicoultry Posts: 1,308	Wee update, Just had a visit to Merlin Electro Plating Ltd in Newhouse Ind. Est. ML1 5RX just off the M8, Very nice guy call Andy had a chat with me, I need to remove all the alloy bits and lamp holders from both reflectors and hand them back in to him, it may take up to two weeks at a cost of £40-£50, seems not to bad to me, I will take photos of before and after and post them if I can (photobucket t&c DICKS)

19-07-17, 09:47 PM	#8
Cynical26 Grown up member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: North Ayrshire Posts: 735	Hi Colin, interested to see how these turn out. Any update yet?

20-07-17, 06:11 AM	#9
Colin Aitchison Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Back home in Tillicoultry Posts: 1,308	Hi Cynical26, Just dropped them off yesterday, I had to remove the alloy lamp holders from the reflectors, just pot-rivets to drill out, was told due to being the holiday time it will take up to 2 weeks but I am not in a hurry because it was a spare set, I will do a post with photos on their return.

14-08-17, 06:57 PM	#10
Colin Aitchison Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Back home in Tillicoultry Posts: 1,308	I do not recomend Merlin Electro Plating Ltd in Newhouse Ind. Est. ML1 5RX, he could not get the original coating off the originals, 2 weeks wasted.