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Mirror finish for tail lights
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 14 5:59 pm
by Steve
Anyone know how to restore the reflective mirror finish inside tail lights/ indicators etc??
cheers Steve

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 14 6:30 pm
by Dave-R
Paint them gloss white. I'm told it works much better than silver finishes on everything other than headlights.
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 14 7:22 pm
by Charger
i used hamerite smooth gloss white on my front indicator / parking lamp reflectors, works a treat

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 14 7:56 pm
by GJUK
Thats a good tip, gloss white.
Re: Mirror finish for tail lights
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 14 8:08 pm
by Johnny Dart
Steve wrote:Anyone know how to restore the reflective mirror finish inside tail lights/ indicators etc??
cheers Steve

I'm pretty sure I've seen chrome spray in Halfords.
No, I'm not joking
Re: Mirror finish for tail lights
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 14 9:07 pm
by Dave-R
Johnny Dart wrote:Steve wrote:Anyone know how to restore the reflective mirror finish inside tail lights/ indicators etc??
cheers Steve

I'm pretty sure I've seen chrome spray in Halfords.
No, I'm not joking
Yeah I used that on mine but white is better.
Re: Mirror finish for tail lights
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 14 9:09 pm
by Dave81
Johnny Dart wrote:Steve wrote:Anyone know how to restore the reflective mirror finish inside tail lights/ indicators etc??
cheers Steve

I'm pretty sure I've seen chrome spray in Halfords.
No, I'm not joking
I bought some (not halfords) stuff of Ebay. Recognised name but cor remember who.
Utter Bananarama!! The finish is a very dull silver. Not the reflective chrome like the lid.
Tried it on some scrap metal as I knew it'd be difficult to replicate.
If not white you should be able to pic up some chrome wrap and cover the insert. Just make sure it suitable for warm temps!

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 14 9:31 pm
by Johnny Dart
Thinking about your question ,
the only lights at the rear of a car to have a chrome finish , are fog lamps , all other's have a white finish.
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 14 10:28 pm
by Charger
Charger wrote:i used hamerite smooth gloss white on my front indicator / parking lamp reflectors, works a treat


Posted: Mon Aug 18, 14 10:34 pm
by Bozwell
if you need a mirror finish one way is to use aluminium tape. that polishes up well.
not easy to apply on a curved surface though so white'll be a lot easier.
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 14 8:54 am
by Dave-R
The thing with white is it seems to give a nice even illumination. Reduces the "hot" spot.
Never did try it myself but I have seen photos of rear lights that had the reflectors painted white and it looked really nice, bright and even.
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 14 9:01 am
by latil
I reckon white. I've had dealings with various prewar cars and very often they were white inside the rear lamps,also clearing out dads place I found loads of early bike lamps,also with white reflectors. When did they start to be plated shiny metal and why? Fronts have always been nickel/silver/chrome plated.
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 14 9:09 am
by Dave-R
I wouldn't use Hamerite paint on white metal parts or anything with a zinc coating or content. It will fish eye badly. Normal spray primer/paint should be OK.
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 14 9:32 am
by Steve
Thanks gents....will do them white gloss as you suggest...never heard of that so glad I asked!!!
cheers Steve
