Polishing headlamp reflectors

[Glassesguy]

Hello everyone:

I'd like to polish the headlamp relectors on my 39 Model 41. Shop Manual calls for "lampblack". and not to use any abrasives. What is lampblack and/or what is a good way to do this job? Reflectors are in excellent condition. Driver's side quite silver in color. Passenger side is slightly amber in color.

Thanks for your help!

[Terry29-26]

Dave:

Lampblack is the deposit of unburned carbon from an oil lamp or candle.If you want to make some all you have to do is hold a candle flame under a peace of glass. Hold it close enough so that the flame burns yellow and a lot of smoke is made.

The reason lampblack was recommeneded was two fold: first carbon is a soft abrasive and will chemically bond with the oxygenised silver. second is that when wiped clean there is still an oily film left on the surface.

If you try this I would recommend that you use a dry soft cotton flannel cloth on some silverware.

Terry29-26

[Glassesguy]

Thanks Terry. I knew people sometimes referred to the black soot build up on an old kerosene lamp chimney as "lampblack" and removing it was one of those chores my grandmother hated to do in her younger days; but I assumed there was something like this already packaged at one time. Some of my Buick literature would encourage Buick dealers to offer a "headlight tuneup special" or words to that effect to bring in more service customers, so I was curious what they might have used. The flannel cloth sounds like a excellent suggestion too. Are there not some pretreated cloths out there for polishing silverware? Wonder if these might work?

Thanks again

[D Binger]

Lampblack was sold at paint stores by the pound and was mixed with linseed oil to make black paint for wood. My father used to use lampblack and linseed oil to paint the wood shingles on the roof. It was very messy and your hands would be black for some time after you used it. I always tried to find something else to do when that job was being done. The house has t-locks now.

[Glassesguy]

Thanks D Binger. It only seemed logical that this stuff was available in quantity somewhere during the time before sealed beams came out in 1940. Think the ol' neighborhood Sherwin Williams still has a pound or two sitting around?? Does it not seem interesting that the sealed beam was hailed as such an advance when it first appeared( and indeed it was); but what do you see on today's cars?? Silver plastic reflectors and separate headlight bulbs!! New technology applied to an old idea. Thanks again!

[Oxnard Montalvo]

Masonary supply stores carry lampblack. Usually in 1 or 5 pound boxes. It's used to dye mortar black. Wear gloves or you'll never get it off your hands. Very messy stuff.

[Glassesguy]

Thanks. Will check it out.

[Guest Ken G]

"Does it not seem interesting that the sealed beam was hailed as such an advance when it first appeared (and indeed it was)." Sealed beams did not become universal in Britain until perhaps the 1960s or even 1970s (I think my 1968 Mini had reflectors), and were then considered a way to push up the amount of money levered out of the motorist. The purchase price of a bulb plus separate reflector was probably similar to that of a sealed beam unit, but obviously the replacement cost of the sealed beam is vastly highly than that of a bulb.

One of my newly silvered reflectors needs polishing, and I was afraid to touch it, so thanks for the tip.

Ken G, 1925 Rover 16/50 (San Francisco)

[Guest]

My grandfather insisted that pure talcum powder was the only thing. In 31 years he polished all the silver off the reflector. I had them re-silvered and for 36 years had always used the best quality silver polish I could find. About six years ago mine were dull and I was out of polish. However I had a bottle of Mcguires swirl remover. I tried a dab of that and have never looked back. I think it does as good a job as the silver polish and it seems to leave a coating so I do not have to polish them so often. Once a year now instead of ever six months.

[K8096]

I was told by an old timer that when polishing reflectors using lamp black to start at the center and wipe outwards. Do not polish in circles as this will not allow the light to reflect outward properly.

[jrbartlett]

Seems like I also heard about using jeweler's rouge.