Headlights dim all the time Topic is solved

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 27 Oct 2019, 13:31

I have wondered is Aluminum Leaf Gilding and one of the gliding Adhesives would work for reconditioning the reflector.

Post by **erikv11** » 27 Oct 2019, 16:08

There are many aluminum tapes out there, just a matter of finding one with adhesive that lasts under heat. Here is an example of success in a BMW forum but it's not clear what product they used https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895366

Post by **MoVolvos** » 27 Oct 2019, 18:07

erikv11 wrote: 27 Oct 2019, 16:08 There are many aluminum tapes out there, just a matter of finding one with adhesive that lasts under heat. Here is an example of success in a BMW forum but it's not clear what product they used https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895366

That's a generic plumbers tape but the polishing is a great idea. Not sure how long the adhesive would last with Halogens but I think with LED's it would be considered a permanent fix.

Post by **abscate** » 27 Oct 2019, 19:23

You won’t get enough reflectance out of foil and it won’t last long if there is moisture in your climate

The TYC is the best oath to lead you from darkness

Stu70 · Post by **Stu70** » 28 Oct 2019, 02:11

I found a vacuum metaliser by a chance meeting with a coffin manufacturer. Plastic ‘chrome’ burns it you get my drift. The cost to ship headlights from US was crazy and UK retail wont ship outside the EU. TYC from a local company was the equivalent of $450 usd. The cost to replate - $200NZD or about $130 USD per reflector. The result is, I assume like new. I put them away in a box, as I’m going with the ABM look at the moment...
But with local suppliers and the local prices you’d be crazy not to buy replacement units. If you can’t afford to go for both - do one at a time and spread the hurt over a month or two, or try and find a vacuum metaliser company and get a quote.