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05-16-2010, 11:21 AM | #1 |
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Location: Greenville,Ohio
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Headlight reflectors?
Should I have my originals replated or just get repo's?
I have read about new ones do not fit well. any opinons? |
05-16-2010, 11:36 AM | #2 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
Originally, the reflectors were Silver Plated. On restored cars, I like to have the originals re-silvered if they are good and not corroaded, or cracked. They look right and there is no problem with fit.
Just my opinion. Chris |
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05-16-2010, 11:41 AM | #3 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
I have silvered original reflectors on my sedan. When properly focused, they are very bright with original, well grounded, filament bulbs; certainly bright enough for me to see well with my marginal night vision. Many Repop reflectors have an incorrect parabolic curve, and reflect light poorly, so that even with halogens they are scarcely brighter than filament bulbs in an original reflector. My station wagon came with repop reflectors rigged for halogens. While they are bright, the difference from the silvered originals in my sedan would not be worth the price if I had to buy them, and they require the additional expense of an alternator.. I have heard that Aluminized reflectors are great, but I have no experience with them. I'm sure someone here will mention them. There is also the appearance of your headlight reflectors in daylight to consider. Silver through the lens looks distinctly different than aluminum or chrome. Once you notice that, you'll see it on every A you look at. I personally prefer that warmer original look of silvered reflectors to the more blue look of the alternatives.
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05-16-2010, 12:17 PM | #4 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
Steve's Auto Restoration inc. ,Oregon 1-503-665-2222 [www.realsteel.com]. I had them do my orginial ones and very happy.A little pricey compared to some that have had them done here on Fordbarn. But its a rich looking silver plate job. They hold up well after 6 years.Go orginial !
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05-16-2010, 01:00 PM | #5 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
The one thing to watch is that you truly have originals, ...and not 30-40 year old reproductions that look like they should be originals.
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05-16-2010, 01:07 PM | #6 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
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05-16-2010, 01:13 PM | #7 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
I rode with Pat to a club meeting this month, and the silvered reflectors on his car are easily as bright as the lights on my wife's modern car (a 2005 PT Cruiser). After all I'd read about Model A headlights not being up to snuff for night driving, I was pretty surprised.
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05-16-2010, 05:20 PM | #8 | |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
Quote:
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05-16-2010, 07:44 PM | #9 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
Thank's for all the info i think i will go with the originals. just need to find out where to get it done.
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05-16-2010, 11:13 PM | #10 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
Mike K, thanks for the information. I have thought for some time that the gasket was probably at least as much for air as for water, too. Given your experience with high quality silver reflectors, what do you recommend for polishing them?
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05-17-2010, 12:29 AM | #11 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
I have been reading the Gus Wilson storys again, and there is a good story about headlights and reflectors in the August 1925 story (http://www.gus-stories.org/august_1925.htm) , I was just looking through the parts catalogue and the latest "improved" part caught my eye--rubber headlight gaskets to replace cork, and just having read the story it made me laugh.
"Not on your life!" Gus said emphatically. "Don't use rubber on any account. It would make a water-tight fit all right, but after a while the sulphur in the rubber would discolor the silver plating on the reflector. The cord will do the work well enough, provided it is not squashed down so that it does not have any spring left in it."
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05-17-2010, 08:04 AM | #12 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
tom do you have a name and number for that shop?
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05-17-2010, 08:10 AM | #13 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
Silver produces the highest reflectance and the best light.
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05-17-2010, 08:21 AM | #14 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
I agree John, but only for a short time until they start to tarnish then you need to clean them with silver polish. I have very good lighting with the aluminized coated (Uvira) reflectors. They suggest cleaning with window cleaner as needed. I've had mine three years and they are still clean.
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05-17-2010, 10:14 AM | #15 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
[QUOTE=Kurt in NJ;9182]I have been reading the Gus Wilson storys again, and there is a good story about headlights and reflectors in the August 1925 story (http://www.gus-stories.org/august_1925.htm)
Hey Kurt, that's a great link. I wasn't aware of these old stories being available on the web. thanks |
05-17-2010, 10:28 AM | #16 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
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05-17-2010, 10:38 AM | #17 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
What type of silver polish should one use? I remember reading somewhere that some polishes are to harsh and wear away the coating instead of just removing the tarnish.
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05-17-2010, 11:27 AM | #18 | |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
Quote:
I should add this: If you have your reflectors plated, make absolutely sure the plater knows you want pure silver, not sterling silver! Sterling plate is harder and more durable, but contains 7.5% copper. Sterling is much less reflective and tarnishes faster. Also make sure the plater knows you want a fairly thick plate, as it will be subject to frequent polishing. This will cost extra. Bite your lip and pay it. Side note- mirrors are plated by chemical (not electrical) reduction of silver salts. Personally, the reflectors in my 160B are vacuum flashed aluminum with a silicate overcoat, identical to the anti-scratch coating put on eyeglasses, some polycarbonate plastic products, and hawked for too much money from shopping mall cart vendors as a miracle scratch protectant for electronics stuff. I have silver in my not very fine point anymore 40B. I would never go silver again. They gave up on it for telescope mirrors because of the tarnish problem and the fact that aluminum with proper overcoats exceeds silver reflectance by several % points. |
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05-17-2010, 12:27 PM | #19 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
Love my UVIRA aluminized on original reflectors. My reflecros were cracked so I had to solder then have fresh nickle applied before sending to UVIRA. As I have stated many times....I can see into the next century. Plus less horsing around with silver polish. And me thinks everytime you polish you take just a little more of the silver off.
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05-17-2010, 07:55 PM | #20 |
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Re: Headlight reflectors?
How do you tell 30-40 year old repos from originals. Thanks, Joe Young
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