headlight restoration

[tbirdman]

I have 32 Packard headlights that are in great condition for 74 years old but I want to get them replated to show condition. The bezel has a metal piece inside it where the metal springs which holds the lens, gets inserted. Not sure if my regular plater can handle restoring that piece along with the plating the bezel. Any recomendations?

[Restorer32]

We have never found a plater better than Pauls Chrome Plating if price is not a concern. Also, they will have it finished when they say they will. The rivets holding the bezel latch will need to be removed along with the rivets holding the body to the post for the best job.

[Friartuck]

To add to Restorer32, I have used Paul's Chrome Plating and they use a photographic inventory control process for each order. The photograph travels along with the work in the shop for accountability. In plating over 200 peices, they've never lost a part. Also, where there is lettering involved like "DEPRESSED BEAM" on a headlight bucket, they silver solder under the lettering, send it to their engraver who retraces (over engraves) the original lettering so that when it goes through the plating process, no detail is lost. Also, during reassembly when you get the pieces back, polished stainless steel threaded rivets from Restoration Supply Company (web page) can be used to reattach bezel latches, etc.

Chris

[tbirdman]

Thanks. I called them up and they sound like a good shop. I have removed the rivets already and was planning to use the stainless ones from the Restoration Supply. The like the engraving process where you can save the details.

I do have another question. THe latch assembly for the headlight bezel. Is that suppose to be black oxide or plated? It's for a 32 Packard 903.

[Friartuck]

tbirdman: Make sure you mention the engraving when shipping the items so there's no chance of misunderstanding. For the latch, I'd defer to Restorer32 but my belief is it's chrome along with all peices like clevis clip and/or small spring. This should be similar to my '30 Lincoln. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[tbirdman]

Friartuck...

The engraving was mentioned in my conversation with them without me bring it up. That impressed me that they had the knowledge how to do it correctly.

I also got confirmation from a nother source that the latch mechanism was all chrome plated. I'm assuming that I should should get a new spring instead of trying to get the spring plated. Your thoughts?

Thanks for your help.

[Friartuck]

Plating springs usually isn't a problem. Using the original one is fine depending on the amount of pitting on it. Springs don't change their characteristics from plating baths where there's not that much heat involved. Springs fail when they're excessively heated. It's a judgement call.

[tbirdman]

Thanks I did more more research on Paul's. Seems like a very good reputation. So my precious parts went off him this morning by UPS insured for big bucks <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />