Headlamp reflector

[marku]

Need one of the reflectors re-silvering. As I also needed some items re-chroming took them to a plating company who had also advertised re-silvering. Said they couldn't do the 116 reflector as it wasn't round. Seems it was to do with polishing. Wondered if one of the chrome sprays would do the work. Some time ago it was on Mercedes Source touching up the reflectors with a spray finish.

[UTn_boy]

Why don't you just buy a new ones?  It'll likely be less expensive.  The right side, 000-826-96-78, is available for around 99 Euros, and the left side, 000-826-95-78, is available new for around 64 Euros. 

And no.  Never use "chrome in a spray can" for headlights.  Chrome in a can is noting but a shiny metallic paint, and doesn't come anywhere close to chrome plating.  Granted, if the silver on the tail light bulb holders needs to be addressed, the chrome in a can will work just fine. 

[floyd111]

That is indeed correct. However, weren't these NLA for a long time? Few years ago I had to go on a mission to find a pair.

[mrkozzy]

Not sure about "the being round" part of the story but the photo shows my old and refurbished reflectors off my w108.
Had them done last year by a "silversmith" Yep they do exist just hard to find.

This is NOT chrome as chrome is not the correct finish, so the experts tell me.

I had them done by a guy who manufactures and  refurbishes Trophies and Cups. (Think FA cup/Wimbledon Cup/local sports club cup).

In my w108 each headlight assembly has 3 unique reflectors. A large main round headlight, smaller rectangular driving light and smaller again turn signal at the top..

Middle picture shows how I had to use 4 sets of assemblies to get the best parts available.
Bottom picture shows my reassembled units,  1 superb set L & R.

Silversmith cost me AU$285  for the 6 pieces.

He said he'd have no issues if I wanted the w116 ones done, sometime down the track.
I am thinking of having the rear plastic bodies done as their brightness nowadays is woefull.  Altho I take on board the comment that silver spray paint might improve them.




[/URL]][/img]

[rumb]

Here's an idea.

http://www.caswellplating.com/silverplater-4-oz.html

[Squiggle Dog]

The poor man's method is put aluminum tape over the reflectors and then polish it to a mirror shine. I have even seen people screw rectangular sealed beam headlight bulbs on top of the reflectors.

[UTn_boy]

MrKozzy, those rectangular reflectors at the bottom of your W108 head light assemblies are not driving lights.  They're your fog lights.  They've always been fog lights. 

Stan, I don't know if they were NLA a while back or not.  All I know is they're available now.

Mark, you're awful quiet.....

[mrkozzy]

Ooops sorry. My mistake

I've never had them on anyway.   
Fog is not something we experience here too often.

[marku]

Thanks for all the info. Like the idea of the silverplater but what is the reflector made of? There are a few platers here offering  reflectors it was just that the one who said they couldn't because it wasn't round was fairly local. Will certainly look in to replacing with new. I do remember though Ken on Mercedes Source using a spray to just touch up a reflector saying it would pass any test. 

[marku]

Got some of the silver plating solution but it doesn't work on my 450's reflectors. Apparently the substrate is critical and the solution wouldn't take. What it did was remove the silver that was already there. On old silver plating over copper the effect was instant. Tried it out on some old plated candelabra which we have and the silver effect was instant and buffed up well. It can be seen that they were plated copper. So looks like I will re-doing them all at least it will not be wasted.   

[wbrian63]

Why don't you just buy a new ones?  It'll likely be less expensive.  The right side, 000-826-96-78, is available for around 99 Euros, and the left side, 000-826-95-78, is available new for around 64 Euros. 

And no.  Never use "chrome in a spray can" for headlights.  Chrome in a can is noting but a shiny metallic paint, and doesn't come anywhere close to chrome plating.  Granted, if the silver on the tail light bulb holders needs to be addressed, the chrome in a can will work just fine.

Verified - I just took delivery of two reflectors ordered from the Classic Center in California. Sourced from Germany, the boxes were very dusty, so I'm pretty sure this is NOS stuff, not currently-produced. The cost was the same for left & right - with discounts at around US$110 each delivered.