kevzpix Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Compliments of the season to all forum users. I need to re-polish tarnished headlamp reflectors, on my 1935 Series 40. They have the very "yellowed" patina, so I presume the original was nickel-plated. Is that correct ? The original silver finish is so thin as to be almost non-existent, so I presume it has been shined by using harsh, cutting type polishing. I appreciate any advice.KevinChristchurch, NZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50jetback Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Hello Kevin,Originally they would have been silver plated. Some restorers have them nickel plated mainly because not many platers offer silver plating.I had a pair re-silvered for my 34 by a company which do work for the Perth Royal Mint.I was then fortunate enough to get a complete N.O.S. set of headlights for the 34 so didn't use the re-silvered lenses and still have them.If you are interested in a re-silvered pair of lenses send me a PM and I'll send some photos.How far have you got with your restoration, any photos yet?All the best for the New Year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Found this on the forum...If you don't mind shipping your reflectors, I'd recommend Uvira in Oregon:Uvira, Inc.310 Pleasant Valley Rd.Merlin, OR 97532Telephone: +1.541.956.6880Fax: +1.541.476.9096email: uvira@terragon.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Has anyone tried chrome? I think the progression on exterior bright trim silver was used on some foreign cars, don't know if any US cars had silver grills, but then there was nickle followed by chrome.Since chrome is readilly available today, it should work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garnetkid Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 I understand that chrome is not used as it does not reflect the light as well as silver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Chrome absorbs light, and is a very poor choice for reflectors. This is counterintuitive, but true.I believe the Uvira process requires that you have your reflectors nickel plated first, then they put a few microns of aluminum coating on them, and then they're great.Original silver plating is nice, but very fragile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RU22 Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 The foreign car referance to "German Silver" is just polished nickel no silver involved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 One of my buddies had his done by Uvira and they were spectacular! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old26Buick Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I had my 26 reflectors done by Uvira, I had them chrome plated first but Uvira would rather have them nickel plated first and thats what I'm going to do my 27 Buick Woodie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly_John Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Yes, Gang...chrome plating the headlight reflectors results in low light levels, with a bluish cast. Not good. Learned this the hard way some 30 years ago. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 AGREE!!---- Chrome absorbs a substantial portion of the light, and reflects much less.UVIRA --- we have had several of our cars' reflectors silvered by Uvira, and are delighted with the result -- not terribly expensive, and quick turnaround! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roger_Roy Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 how much we looking at for one reflector? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_bigD Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 I had my reflectors done by Uvira about 30 years ago and they are still perfect today. At that time they did the whole job of polishing the reflector, nickle plating, vacuum depositing aluminum, and followed by some protective clear vacuum deposited coating. The coating is what preserves the reflectivity.With Halogen bulbs these are as bright as modern headlights.Steve D1838 40-41Steve's Automobiles :: 1938 Buick Special 40-41 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevzpix Posted January 2, 2011 Author Share Posted January 2, 2011 Thanks Gents , for all the positive results.Clearly, re-silvering is the way to go. Thanks for the offer Stuart, I'll be in touch, post haste. Progress is pretty slow, I've spent the winter, in between dodging earthquake rubble, trying to rebuild the wooden frame, without patterns and only crude measurements taken from the metal body itself. All a bit challenging for someone of limited skills. The engine is nearly back together, held up for a long while , sourcing a replacement harmonic enginge balancer.RegardsKevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Grant Magrath Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 We get all ours re-silvered at our local trophy shop.CheersGrant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 ...I've spent the winter, in between dodging earthquake rubble, trying to rebuild the wooden frame, without patterns and only crude measurements taken from the metal body itself.....My cousin and her husband in Chc own a 1935 Buick. After 20 plus years of marriage she it yet to be allowed to drive it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCK55buick Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Just my two cents, I had my '39 reflectors chromed about two years ago. I rarely drive this car at night, and the appearance is fine. I would consider the silvering process, but would guesss that it is quite costly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aussie buick Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Reading some notes on my 38 coupe last night, it was written that the reflectors had been laser coated by ulvira, any ideas? I'm guessing it's just the standard coating being discussed that has been misinterpreted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Grant Magrath Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 Kevin, get your reflectors re-silvered at The trophy Shop, 45 Parkhouse Rd, Sockburn.CheersGrant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevzpix Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 Hi GrantThanks for the info, Stuart Syme has offered me his spares, so I will accept that.How is the corvette going ?RegardsKevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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