Headlight restoration

[Tango23]

Has anyone started a thread detailing the restoration of Ellipsoid headlights?
I have just picked up a replacement N/S headlight and will restore both to a standard hopefully better than new:
Steps to include:
1. Polish the glass lenses. Using products like this:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Headlight-...item588b7f2377
2. Rechrome the reflectors. Using these pros: http://www.ashfordchroming.com/headl...ng-restoration
3. HID upgrade. Any advise on the best upgrade kit available which meet with the new rules for MOT?
4. Reseal the unit with silicon before rebuilding the units.

If there is no similar thread I will post pictures as I progress this restoration.

Cheers
Sean

[AndyP]

Not a thread on it's own, but theres some pics in my build thread of my ellipsoids which were rechromed by dual metalising, see page 32 onwards.

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26599&page=32

I would buy that polishing kit either, it's for platics lenses, it won't touch glass. Apparently you can use jewellers rouge to polish glass but it will only get out really fine scratches.

[Tango23]

Thanks Andy,

I am more concerned about updating the lenses appearance- the glass has a slight aging to it and I would like the "new" look to complete the car.
That said I am fortunate to have very little scratches on these lenses.

[Sleeper_Avant]

i think you may need a "friendly" mot tester for shonkey HID kits, they 100% need headlamp washers and possibly suspension linked height adjusters, but this may not be so true......

just put normal bulbs back in for the MOT? takes 2 minutes

[gripper]

I purchased something called cerium oxide when I tried polishing out the scratches on one of my ellipsoids as one of them looked brand new

On a small pad on a low to medium speed drill being careful not to stay in one place to long which would generate enough heat to crack. the glass
There is an improvement and I now have a nearer match to my headlights but its not perfect ! More applications may yield better results but you have to be so careful !

I would give it a 6 out of 10 for effectiveness but it does really depend on how deep those scratches are.

The same headlight was then sent to Dual Metalizing for a fresh silver coat and now the match is very good !

[gripper]

Just had a look through my notes on this and I was wrong as I actually had mine done at a place called VMC who did an excellent job and also saved me around a third of what Dual Metalizing wanted

I have an address and telephone number for them so if anyone is interested pm me.

[poor-boy]

I had my Typ85 headlights re-chromed by Dual metalising and they did a fantastic job on them..

Jamo is round the corner from them too..

[Tango23]

Thanks gents,

Gripper I am keen to get a quote from your contacts- re rechroming.
Seen a couple programs about guys using water and some glass rubbing compound to get a near new finish for headlight lenses.
I will go down to the bodyshop and ask what they suggest.

Sean

[quattrostyle]

as for the lenses, why wouldn't you buy new ones?

[Audicted]

Gripper: I too, am interested in the contact details for re-chroming the reflectors. Maybe, we could arrange a group effort.

[Error404]

Edit: Ignore me

[rj scotty]

Just but the replacment glass

About £25 iirc

[Tango23]

I dunno how a group "buy" for a re-chroming would work? May be worth getting a discount code from the company, that way no member has to be accountable for any breakages.
Reason for not opting for new glass lenses- not much wrong with the current ones- just need to get them to match in clarity.