Rusty Bowtie

General Category => General Discussion - Intros => Topic started by: munch on February 09, 2016, 08:12:45 AM

Title: Finish Question
Post by: munch on February 09, 2016, 08:12:45 AM
I got some reflectors for the headlight buckets that I got from Ghost that I am restoring.  My question is "What can I use to get a good reflective surface of them"?  Right now they are a dull copper color.

Maybe some of those do it yourself chrome kits could give me enough reflective surface.

Like this
http://www.micromark.com/plug-n-plate-copy-chrome-plating-kit,8327.html

Thanks
Title: Re: Finish Question
Post by: vette59jdwl on February 09, 2016, 09:45:07 AM
  Munch I have used some of that CHROME  spray paint from wallys world and man i could not believe the shine i got from a can  vette59jdwl
Title: Re: Finish Question
Post by: sammons on February 09, 2016, 09:48:08 AM
Munch if it is copper(brass/nickel- alum/stainless) you can just polish it. Brasso, Mothers aluminum wheel polish(works on other metals too) or rubbing compound.  Once shined you can either give it a good rubbing coat of past wax or clear coat.

I have tried (on the bright silver metal) silver paint/ chrome bumper paint(rattle can)  and aluminum furnace tape on small reflectors. All with limited out comes.     Yesterday my buddies mom give me an aluminium adjustable work lamp that was dirty and dull. I gave it a clean up with 4-(oooo) steel wool and 409, then the alum polish. Hard to get a good pic of the shine but it is bright now.

It was duller than the out side.
Title: Re: Finish Question
Post by: munch on February 09, 2016, 12:22:10 PM
  Munch I have used some of that CHROME  spray paint from wallys world and man i could not believe the shine i got from a can  vette59jdwl

Thanks vette
Title: Re: Finish Question
Post by: munch on February 09, 2016, 12:22:52 PM
Munch if it is copper(brass/nickel- alum/stainless) you can just polish it. Brasso, Mothers aluminum wheel polish(works on other metals too) or rubbing compound.  Once shined you can either give it a good rubbing coat of past wax or clear coat.

I have tried (on the bright silver metal) silver paint/ chrome bumper paint(rattle can)  and aluminum furnace tape on small reflectors. All with limited out comes.     Yesterday my buddies mom give me an aluminium adjustable work lamp that was dirty and dull. I gave it a clean up with 4-(oooo) steel wool and 409, then the alum polish. Hard to get a good pic of the shine but it is bright now.

It was duller than the out side.
Dang, that looks awesome...
Title: Re: Finish Question
Post by: sixball on February 09, 2016, 01:44:28 PM
I'd like to try some of the plating kits like the ones from Eastwood but I think something as large as a headlight reflector might be too big. There was an episode on Jay Leno's garage where he did some spray on chrome that came out really well.
Title: Re: Finish Question
Post by: munch on February 09, 2016, 02:10:54 PM
I'd like to try some of the plating kits like the ones from Eastwood but I think something as large as a headlight reflector might be too big. There was an episode on Jay Leno's garage where he did some spray on chrome that came out really well.

Yes I saw that, it did look good.  If I can't polish it up I may give one of the cheaper ones a try.
Title: Re: Finish Question
Post by: ghost28 on February 09, 2016, 10:21:25 PM
I found out that spray on chrome looks good, but it don't like a clearcoat added to it. No it don't
Title: Re: Finish Question
Post by: munch on February 10, 2016, 08:11:52 AM
Munch if it is copper(brass/nickel- alum/stainless) you can just polish it. Brasso, Mothers aluminum wheel polish(works on other metals too) or rubbing compound.  Once shined you can either give it a good rubbing coat of past wax or clear coat.

I have tried (on the bright silver metal) silver paint/ chrome bumper paint(rattle can)  and aluminum furnace tape on small reflectors. All with limited out comes.     Yesterday my buddies mom give me an aluminium adjustable work lamp that was dirty and dull. I gave it a clean up with 4-(oooo) steel wool and 409, then the alum polish. Hard to get a good pic of the shine but it is bright now.

It was duller than the out side.

Sammons,

I am glad I did what you suggested, it turned out to be brass.  Man what a shine, make your smack your Papa...  Did they just have the polished brass finish as reflectors in 1930?
Title: Re: Finish Question
Post by: Chemong55 on February 17, 2016, 11:40:31 AM
Just sent you a pm then saw this thread,will have to check my buckets to see what kind of reflectors are in them.
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