Headlight reflector plating

[Wallace White]

Dave -

I found it:

	D&D Plastic and Chrome Plating
	419-389-1748
	Toledo Ohio

Sound familiar? Take a look at 

	http://www.audifans.com/archives/1999/03/msg01091.html

Funny, I found this by doing a Google search (entire web) for "vacuum
metalizing Toledo."

Thanks--then and now!

- Wallace
  '87 5kcstq 177k

David Head wrote:
> 
> You need vacuum metalizing - Al and I had them replated at a place in Toledo
> Ohio to the tune of about 30.00 per side. You have to remove the reflector
> and the assorted connectors and send it in. I found the place via Hemming
> Motor News about 4-5 years back. Anyone who 'rechromes' plastic parts like
> the 60s cars had in the interior pieces can do it...
> 
> Wallace White wrote:
> 
> > Any experience with replating headlight reflectors?
> >
> > You may recall that I recently installed a set of 5k/100 non-turbo Euro
> > H4 headlights, which I found at the junkyard. And I wasn't real
> > impressed with the performance of them.
> >
> > I'd noticed the the reflector plating wasn't great, but I hadn't
> > realized the extent of the problem. In the area of the reflector where
> > the low beam light hits, which is the upper half because of the half-cup
> > on the H4 bulb, the plating is really bad. The flat surface on top isn't
> > reflective at all where it gets illuminated most. The paraboloidical
> > surface right near the bulb is better but still leaves much to desired.
> > ("Parabolic" isn't as much fun to say, though it is a real word...)
> >
> > This explains why the high beams look much better than the lows. The
> > plating must have gone away with use; the high beam surfaces are much
> > better. And the lenses (one Bosch, one Hella) are in very good shape.
> >
> > So...
> >
> > - Al Powell mentioned that he's had reflectors replated. Anyone know a
> > place to have this done, or what type of plating company (I'd prefer to
> > do it locally, of course). What kind of plating do I need?
> >
> > - Is it just a bad idea to try a do-it-yourself fix? I can't help but
> > think of chrome spray paint... and I know Steve Jensen tried chrome tape
> > with surprisingly good results. I expect something like this would still
> > be a big improvement, if replating is too expensive/troublesome.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > - Wallace
> >  '87 5kcstq 177k