P80 headlights Possible to Remove Headlight Reflector, rechroming discussion 8628402 8628403

[abscate]

Both krylon and rustoleum make a silver mirror surface spray, application five light coats with one minute in between, but the reflective surface is at the first layer / glass interface , so I’m not sure that will work on our plastic reflectors. Also in the high heat environment, I wonder how long the finish would hold up.

[abscate]

PSA by the way. Open up those headlight twist covers and inspect your headlight wires periodically

[FireFox31]

I had similar heat damage to the H7 bulb wires on my Mercedes. It was caused by a bulb filament which was disconnected but still sometimes working. This increased the resistance on the wires, generating more heat, causing damage. I was able to buy new H7 bulb socket and wires ("pigtails") but haven't soldered them in yet. I wonder Volvo offers similar harnesses, or if you could just get generic ones.

I asked my powder coating shop about chroming the plastic reflectors and they can't do it. I'll look in to it more. Unfortunately, buying cheap aftermarket replacements costs less than reapplying chrome. Surely the aftermarket ones must be worse in other respects due to their low price.

[abscate]

How were the headlight on Jane Bond, the 00 70 donor car? I can pull those for you

[volvolugnut]

I had similar heat damage to the H7 bulb wires on my Mercedes. It was caused by a bulb filament which was disconnected but still sometimes working. This increased the resistance on the wires, generating more heat, causing damage. I was able to buy new H7 bulb socket and wires ("pigtails") but haven't soldered them in yet. I wonder Volvo offers similar harnesses, or if you could just get generic ones.

I asked my powder coating shop about chroming the plastic reflectors and they can't do it. I'll look in to it more. Unfortunately, buying cheap aftermarket replacements costs less than reapplying chrome. Surely the aftermarket ones must be worse in other respects due to their low price.

I believe there is good chrome and cheap chrome and they never meet in the middle.
volvolugnut

[FireFox31]

How were the headlight on Jane Bond, the 00 70 donor car? I can pull those for you

Do you mean the one you picked up from me? Those headlights are rather unsafe, marginally luminous. I could use them as rehab cores if I figure out how to do the chroming. I have a few even worse condition ones for my first tests. Really, I'll probably never get to this, but I'd sure like to. Seems good to preserve true, OEM parts.

[abscate]

There are claims that HVAC tape makes a decent reflector and can be easily applied. Sounds fishy but I might fire up Abscates Testing Lab

[abscate]

Ok I picked up some 3M reflective HVAC tape

I will be testing a new TYC UNIT and a taped Volvo headlight on the same target on Monday unless I really get jammed for time

Here is a brand new TYC pattern from Evita

[scot850]

Your gas gauge looks like the ones in our cars when I go to use them. I figured I am the only one who knows how to open the flaps and fill them!

Neil.

[matthew1]

Ok I picked up some 3M reflective HVAC tape

I will be testing a new TYC UNIT and a taped Volvo headlight on the same target on Monday unless I really get jammed for time

Here is a brand new TYC pattern from Evita

Man I wish I lived close. I'd rig up a passable(ish) scientific test for this A/B. Large white board, same exact distance A/B, same tripod-mounted DSLR to meter spot (center) and center-weighted, night time both A/B, closed garage door to minimize/eliminate background light sources. Everything. Throw the variable elimination kitchen sink at it.

HVAC tape makes a lot of sense to test.