1998 V70 T5 Headlight Reflector Questions

[jbkeene]

like chrome engine paint?

[Roadrunner]

I am not sure about the in side reflector. but to clean the out side plastic, one can use regular tooth past and a buffing cloth. Just keep the tooth past damp. As for the reflector inside has any one ever tried to use chrome paint or to electrostatic a new lair of Alumnae or some other metal that can be polished?

[rspi]

The reflectors on my daughters car are so bad that we often question if the lights are even on. So, I have started the hunt for junk yard replacements. I look into the lenses and most look ok. Anyway, I decided to pop the lens loose and take a peek at the reflectors. On every light (about 10 so far) the reflectors look damaged. Kind of like dried up lake bed mud. I'm still on the hunt.

I can't imagine that all of these are as bad as our lights but they can't be good.

Our car has had chipped and cracked lens that probably allowed dirt and moisture in, the begging of the end.

[Matty Moo]

I tried the chrome paint on a set of headlights from my old maxima.

Now it would probably be better than absolutely no reflective surface, but overall it didn't work. It just isn't reflective enough.

[rspi]

Video example of a dim headlight.

[precopster]

Poilshed 1mm aluminium sheets cut to size and sealed with clear craft spray has worked for a friend of mine. Don't know how long it will last.......

[kahl]

If anyone has a source for rechroming plastic I have a lens available.

[villagepc]

If i had more time and energy, I'd try that new water chrome / spectrachrome system.

http://www.sprayonchrome.com/



stuff sure looks like a lot of fun

[MarinerMan]

The reflective material is actual chrome, not plastic. They adhere it to the plastic by covering the plastic with an electrostatic boding surface, much like the first step in powder coating. Then high voltage is applied to a piece of chrome alloy in a vacuum chamber. The piece offgasses, and is drawn to the charged coating on the plastic. It is hard to do at home. If you had a friend who had a CNC mill, you could make aluminum or stainless blanks and then do a chemical bath electroplating with chrome or nickel.

[MarinerMan]

The reflective material is actual chrome, not plastic. They adhere it to the plastic by covering the plastic with an electrostatic boding surface, much like the first step in powder coating. Then high voltage is applied to a piece of chrome alloy in a vacuum chamber. The piece offgasses, and is drawn to the charged coating on the plastic. It is hard to do at home. If you had a friend who had a CNC mill, you could make aluminum or stainless blanks and then do a chemical bath electroplating with chrome or nickel.