headlight reflectors
- Thread starter DENY 411
- Start date
Keith True
Well-known member
Yes,Uvira does them in an aluminum deposit process.Works better than the original silver.BUT,you have to get them nickel plated before you send them in.With the new LED bulbs,the reflector is just a bulb holder,the reflecting job is no longer needed.Hundreds cheaper than having them replated.
Ayers1
Well-known member
Yes they can be, but Snyders have them for $65/ea. That is probably cheaper than getting originals replaced. However if you're going to use something like the LED's mentioned above and don't want to see the dark background, another option is to use the aluminum tape for furnace ductwork. It brightens up the reflector at a fraction of the cost.
ModelA29
Well-known member
There are 2 LED types available. I had bought the flat open type and the new Snyder reflectors for our Coupe. They work well. The car had Halogen bulbs and butchered reflectors and wiring so it needed both.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=976424&cat=0
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=976411&cat=41727
Our Tudor has passable original (could be old repops) reflectors so I used the pre focused type that does not use the reflector.
https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A13007LEDFOC.html
I use the bright white ones not the dimmer yellowish ones. My old eyes need all the light they can get.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=976424&cat=0
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=976411&cat=41727
Our Tudor has passable original (could be old repops) reflectors so I used the pre focused type that does not use the reflector.
https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A13007LEDFOC.html
I use the bright white ones not the dimmer yellowish ones. My old eyes need all the light they can get.
Keith True
Well-known member
I had some of the flat ones,but I gave them away.All I use now are the big pre-focused ones.I have no idea why anybody would want yellow lights.My goal is to get AWAY from the yellow,not to preserve it.
old ugly
Well-known member
i would say repo ones will be cheaper than re-plating. re-plating them will be a better reflector but finding someone to do it now is getting harder.
the repo ones will likely out last you and function well. keep the original ones on a shelf.
personally i would not use aluminum tape (furnace guys use) and defanatly not spray can chrome paint. you will not be happy with it.
if you are looking for originality then re-plating is the way to go unless you can find an original set. but looking in from the outside no one will know.
i try to keep everything that can be rebuilt or that someone else may be able to use.
the repo ones will likely out last you and function well. keep the original ones on a shelf.
personally i would not use aluminum tape (furnace guys use) and defanatly not spray can chrome paint. you will not be happy with it.
if you are looking for originality then re-plating is the way to go unless you can find an original set. but looking in from the outside no one will know.
i try to keep everything that can be rebuilt or that someone else may be able to use.
Last edited:
nkaminar
Well-known member
As a young Model A owner, many centuries ago, re plating the reflectors was too expensive for my limited income. I got some free adhesive backed reflective tape that was used for solar parabolic reflectors and pasted them onto the reflectors. It worked pretty well. The tape was aluminized. Aluminum does not reflect as well as silver but it does not tarnish. The tape was first surface reflecting, meaning that the aluminum was on the side of tape that faced forward.
Bob Bidonde
Well-known member
Aluminum corrodes in a short time, so save your money. Silver tarnishes black and the coating is typically so thin that the silver cannot be polished without wearing through the coating. Chrome is durable & reflects light well enough for good night visibility. A quick & inexpensive fix is to line the reflectors with aluminum foil, shiny side out.
updraught
Well-known member
From the barn when Bratton's reflectors came out.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145419
From Snyder's Model T reflectors, I assume the same process with coating.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/content/Snyders/Product_PDFs/T-6590.pdf
"Instead of standard chrome or silver plating, the modern process of vacuum metalizing was used. This advanced vacuum metalizing aluminum process is now widely used not only on modern cars and trucks, but also in the lighting of hospital operating rooms, the medical field, aerospace, defense and any setting where superior lighting with reflectors is required. The multi-stage process is done under carefully controlled conditions. The final top coat or sealing stage helps maintain this highly reflective finish and protect it from moisture.
Performance:
Vacuum Metalized Aluminum 92% - 98% reflectability, compared with 92% on new OEM Ford reflectors (only for a few days after being highly polished.) and standard chrome reflectors at 65%-70%."
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145419
From Snyder's Model T reflectors, I assume the same process with coating.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/content/Snyders/Product_PDFs/T-6590.pdf
"Instead of standard chrome or silver plating, the modern process of vacuum metalizing was used. This advanced vacuum metalizing aluminum process is now widely used not only on modern cars and trucks, but also in the lighting of hospital operating rooms, the medical field, aerospace, defense and any setting where superior lighting with reflectors is required. The multi-stage process is done under carefully controlled conditions. The final top coat or sealing stage helps maintain this highly reflective finish and protect it from moisture.
Performance:
Vacuum Metalized Aluminum 92% - 98% reflectability, compared with 92% on new OEM Ford reflectors (only for a few days after being highly polished.) and standard chrome reflectors at 65%-70%."