Cleaning silvered headlamp refectors

[walt jones]

What is the best cleaner or process to use when cleaning silvered headlamp reflectors? I do not want to use standard silver polishs as I think that they may be to abrasive for the thin plating on the reflectors. Anyone have any ideas or coments?
Thanks, W

 

[1931 flamingo]

Soap and water?
Paul in CT

 

[ken ct]

Small amount of carbon black powder. ken ct. I think its called lamp black? ken ct.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

I have heard that this foil-and-baking soda method is entirely non-destructive:

http://www.howtocleanthings.com/how-to-clean-silver.htm

 

[dave in australia]

All cleaners will be destructive to some level, as the tarnish is an oxide of silver, and you have to remove it to expose the clean silver underneath. When I was an electroplater, we would use a cloth called goddards silver cloth. This removes the oxides and leaves a thin film of protective oil to retard further oxidation.

 

[Jim Boehmke]

Walt. there is only 1 best polish/cleaner/antioxidet and that is Twinkle Silver Polish
A good friend of mine has been in the gold and silver plating business for 40 years and he tells all cutomers to use ONLY Twinkle. I use it on my reflectors and they have never tarnished in many years( here in CA!) Best luck,Jim

 

[FL&WVMIKE]

Use "TARNEX". You can get it about anywhere. It is totally non-abrasive. Just rinse when you are finished wiping it on with a ball of cotton.
MIKE

 

[Kurt in NJ]

Here are a couple of the "gus garage" series about headlights

http://www.gus-stories.org/august_1925.htm

http://www.gus-stories.org/august_1934.htm

I always liked the stories and the way he presented facts, and the reasons not to do it the wrong way.

 

[RJ]

I had my reflectors resilvered and was told Twinkle also by the plater. You dont want anything with abrasive in it.

 

[John LaVoy]

I concur avoid abrasives you will reduce the reflectiveness of the silver finish by putting small scratches in it.