Headlight Reflective Coating

[MoVolvos]

I purchased 2 new glass lenses for the headlight assembly and after removing the old and damaged lenses discovered the reflective coating dull and bubbling near the low beam bulb area. Try to clean it (NO, I did not mention using alcohol to do so ) and the coating came off. Has anyone tried to re-coat the reflective material? White paint was mentioned as providing better reflection but it maybe strange and I do not think it will be legal in NC if I travel out that way for any length of time Thank you.

Blessings,

BKM

[erikv11]

I've only ever read "never touch the reflective coating" so I think the only option is to get new headlight housings. Try the junkyard.

[zhenya]

I'd say replace it. That coating is one of the main factors in how good your headlights are. Unfortunately, due to the DRL configuration on these cars, almost all used ones will be bubbled as well, as they are exposed to the heat of the bulb any time the car is running.

Do yourself a favor and try to stick with OEM parts for lighting.

[MoVolvos]

Thanks for the input zhanya and erikv11. I am tempted to buy new ones but already purchased EBAY glass lenses and the 1998 T5 is very abuse with 231,000 miles when I redeemed it from the guy who bought it from the tow yard. Just trying to keep it going as I do know when it will go out. Will update after some type of high temp reflective paint.

Blessings,

BKM

[matthew1]

If you want to take a chance, you could try thermal tape. I have a roll I got from home depot. It's a reflective metal, but I don't know which. Do so some research first on its max temp vs headlight temps.

This is not something I would do without research and testing, but if you have more time than money, it might work. It's truly a 'stopgap' measure.

[MoVolvos]

Thanks mathew1. Heading to Lowe's after this reply.

[matthew1]

Please be careful. If I were you, after installing the tape, even if the temp rating of the tape is well above the headlight bulb temp, I'd set up a lawn chair and watch the headlights (on) for an hour. You don't want a fire or short up there.

[jimmy57]

http://www.7litre.org/plasticchrome.html

There is a paint that has to be sprayed with spray equipment that is a near-chroming in the link above.

[MoVolvos]

Thanks mathew1 and jimmy57.

I checked Lowes, Home Depot and Orielly's and no one had a good Chrome type paint. Went to Orchard and decided just to try Krylon Paint Metallic Finish. Nice VERY Chrome plastic cap but satin not even gloss silver at best. Suppose to withstand 200 degrees F. Bought these bulbs from EBay and put it all back together.

Blue/White H7 Xenon HID Foglights Bulbs 8500K NEW
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-White-H7-X ... 3cc2c2fd51


The bulb works great in the 2000 Odyssey and is white and brighter then Halogen H7's with Lifetime Warranty. Have used these and for $6.95 and one bad bulb sent back to the manufacturer (standard envelope is fine just wrap in tape) they will send you a new set. VW Passats have hot enclosures and burn bulbs at a very fast rate.

The lighting in the Volvo is just sufficient with the paint when compared to the Odyssey and I used the standard H7 in the high-beam (good contrast). If I would do it again I would buy the entire assembly and not the Glass only (too late). For anyone changing their side marker or headlight lenses or assembly using After-market especially from EBay buy TYC brand not Eagle Eyes especially the Side Markers. The Eagle Eyes Side Markers I purchased were WOW very poorly assembled and cosmetically bad compared to the OE Hella Volvo although nice and new yet the plastic was thin and cheap.

You get what you pay for!!!

I inserted my AC thermometer into the lower hole in the back of the Head Light Assembly and got a temp reading around 160 if I remember correctly so the paint should be OK for awhile. Will check it again during the summer to determine if the paint will be cooked even though it may not last anyways with the low beam on all the time.

Blessings,

BKM

[zhenya]

You get what you pay for!!!

Indeed. Those bulbs are the cheapest of the cheap garbage. Why do you suppose he has to offer a lifetime warranty?

Any decent brand-name bulb available at any auto parts store will project more light than those. If you want quality bulbs, that actually produce more light than standard, I have given specific suggestions, with references, a number of times in this forum.

At this point, your setup has bigger issues than the bulbs, but I don't like to see these kind of products given any kind of endorsement here.