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

Post by **abscate** » 14 Nov 2021, 14:44

I’ll just put a new TYC next to taped OEM and take a picture of both together.

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Nov 2021, 15:19

L/R hurts the A/B a little, but for us DIY'ers, I'll let it go.

Post by **Sveedy** » 14 Nov 2021, 16:19

The grout joints on the wall will give you some basic idea between the two if there's a significant difference.
I've used the HVAC tape for all kinds of things other than HVAC. Only problem I've found is that the adhesive glue fades over time near a high heat source. Getting it to lay flat on such a concave shape without a few wrinkles might be a challenge, but I guess that wouldn't matter in the long run.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 14 Nov 2021, 16:42

If we could find some conductive paint that will withstand the plating solution and the high heat from the headlight bulb. DIY Electroplating would be possible. Would need a plating solution that will not damage the plastic reflector.

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Nov 2021, 16:44

For this I'd buy the highest quality HVAC tape I could find. I too have used cheap HVAC tape on this n that and just like Sveedy it's peeled off, dry as a fall leaf, years later.

I think creases would be unavoidable, unless you're a mathematician/X-Acto knife wizard.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 14 Nov 2021, 17:05

matthew1 wrote: 14 Nov 2021, 16:44 I think creases would be unavoidable, unless you're a mathematician/X-Acto knife wizard.

Hum ... Thermal Form some type of reflective film ?

dj_v70 · Post by **dj_v70** » 14 Nov 2021, 17:29

My headlights are shot so this thread really interests me.

Got impatient and didn't want to wait for Monday's results, so started googling. At first I didn't want to be a spoil sport by posting others results, but then figured the polishing might get missed, so ...

BMW forums, Honda forums, etc have all tried this. The following link discusses how one person did this and reported back 2 years later saying that it was holding up fine.
https://www.crxcommunity.com/threads/ho ... -13.65111/

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Nov 2021, 17:36

dj_v70 wrote: 14 Nov 2021, 17:29 My headlights are shot so this thread really interests me.

Got impatient and didn't want to wait for Monday's results, so started googling. At first I didn't want to be a spoil sport by posting others results, but then figured the polishing might get missed, so ...

BMW forums, Honda forums, etc have all tried this. The following link discusses how one person did this and reported back 2 years later saying that it was holding up fine.
https://www.crxcommunity.com/threads/ho ... -13.65111/

Interesting.

Supplies:
2 worn out crx headlamps
1 oven
1 hammer
1 flat head screwdriver
1 can (or bottle) of glass cleaner (I used Rain-X Foaming Spray)
2 tubes of Permatex Ultra-Grey RTV
1 can of Eagle One Never-Dull Wadding Polish (safe for both chrome and aluminum making it ideal)
1 roll of Nashua HVAC tape (i'm not sure if this comes in different grades but the roll i had seemed pretty industrial)
and lastly some razor blades and I used and Exacto Knife as well

All that stuff comes up to around $30, excluding tools, which if you're here, you probably have. Nothing's exotic.

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Nov 2021, 17:42

RickHaleParker wrote: 14 Nov 2021, 17:05
matthew1 wrote: 14 Nov 2021, 16:44 I think creases would be unavoidable, unless you're a mathematician/X-Acto knife wizard.
Hum ... Thermal Form some type of reflective film ?

There has got to be products for this, solids, not liquids (more likely to be toxic).

This is the best I can do... https://amzn.to/30n5sXa

My "-window" operator in the Amazon search is being ignored, grr. I'll go back to Google...

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Nov 2021, 17:46

Maybe thin enough, and maybe reflective enough. Maybe.

https://www.zippertubing.com/products/t ... eflect-afa

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