205 Gti Driving Light Refurbishment

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

I have a set of Siem driving lights with perfectly fine lenses, surrounds that have come undone and are not corroded beyond the point that they could not be wire wheeled back, acid etch primed and then painted in Smoothrite. The only down side is that the reflector has started to corrode at the back.

 

So I have seen that Daviewonder wonders receipe for heating the over to 200 degrees, turning off, putting relectors on a baking tray, toasting for 5 mins, remove and split with a butter knife / spatula in this topic. But before I do this, I was going to do some research first. Here are my options:

 

Option 1: Rechrome the backings

They are metal so technically should be able to be rechromed, but may be expensive / hard to find somewhere to do it locally as a small job (despite living in the "Steel City" of Sheffield!)

 

Option 2: Fit Denji reflectors to the back of the Siem glass

I have a half decent one in the garage in a complete unit, but these seem to corrode even quicker than the Siem ones so it may be a false economy and there will be more baking in the over as I would need to split 4 lights ultimately.

 

Option 3: Spray the reflector with Chrome Spray

I have never really been impressed with this stuff in the past and am not convinced it will be anything more than wheel silver and tarnish over time

 

Option 4: Chrome vinyl the inside of the reflector

You can get sheets of chrome vinyl quite easily from local shops or eBay for about £8 here. As the reflector lense is patterened, it means you will not be able to see that tape/ vinyl has been used and there are joins. Also you may be able to mould the vinyl by using a hot air gun like they wrap your average Arab Prince / Footballers car!

 

Option 5: Make a metal reflective overlay

Tin foil!

 

Option 6: Just buy a set of Denjis

They are only about £35 delivered and are not too bad if you prep the frame first (or use a set of refurbished Siem frames). The car will sit in a garage most of the time and not be used in winter.

 

My preference is Option 4. What has anyone else done successfully?

[welshpug 1,626]

stew baker is working on reflectors

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

stew baker is working on reflectors

Yep, I have seen that but there isn't anything now. Still thinking option 4 though

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

I've always thought about doing option 4 but with gold so it shines yellow.

[welshpug 1,626]

I doubt vinyl will stand up to being that close to a 55w bulb for very long I'm afraid.

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

I doubt vinyl will stand up to being that close to a 55w bulb for very long I'm afraid.

Traditionally these go crusty from the screw holes inwards, so you could just cover the crusty parts with vinyl and they will be further away from the heat. If they can wrap cars in Dubai in the stuff then it should do pretty well. Also, being reflective, the heat should not be too bad.

 

Potentially you can use some more specialist tape like this which is "Resistant to heat for 3000 h at 125°C - 150°C, for short times 240 h /175°C, depending on cable material" or even this for Daviewonder!

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

Further consultation shows that Hx30000 series chrome wrap operates from -40 to 90 degrees.

http://www.hexis.co.uk/Hexis/Automotive_-_HX30000_Vehicle_Wrap_files/HX30000%20Data%20Sheet.pdf

[steve@cornwall 100]

In the past I have used adhesive aluminium tape cut from a paper template and applied in 4 sections, top,bottom and both sides. A little dull compared to new but hasn't dulled further in over 5 years. Have thought about using same method but with self adhesive wing mirror lenses, just never got around to it. These were done about 7 years ago....probably nothing left but tape now!

Edited October 19, 2014 by steve@cornwall

[stufarri 98 3 Cars]

The best option is the easiest, option 6 !

[Tom Fenton 1,526]

Option Tom

 

Use original plastic backings and mount, 205GTI-NFP stainless lamp brackets, Denji glasses and reflector, Denji frames sandblasted, zinc plated, then powdercoated black.

[farmer 327 1 Cars]

I will have Siems for sale soon in the wanted section or EBay, be a bit dearer than the above options of course.

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

Further consultation shows that Hx30000 series chrome wrap operates from -40 to 90 degrees.

http://www.hexis.co.uk/Hexis/Automotive_-_HX30000_Vehicle_Wrap_files/HX30000%20Data%20Sheet.pdf

 

£118 a metre plus VAT, I think not! They haven't tested it on this application (unsurprisingly) either.

[Andy_C 50]

Option Tom

 

Use original plastic backings and mount, 205GTI-NFP stainless lamp brackets, Denji glasses and reflector, Denji frames sandblasted, zinc plated, then powdercoated black.

Would original backings + glass + 2-Pugs frames + Denji reflectors work?

[Gavin Waddell 18]

Sorry to hijack

 

Does any one know if the denjhi for sale on the main website come with the little plastic adaptor and bolt, so that they can be tilted back and forth?

 

Gavin

[Kane 34]

It's a different setup with the denjhi's Gavin. I'm sure when I fitted mine a few months ago they came with just a fixed bracket so are not adjustable

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

It's a different setup with the denjhi's Gavin. I'm sure when I fitted mine a few months ago they came with just a fixed bracket so are not adjustable

 

 

They are adjustable but have a cheap metal bracket.

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Adjustable, but you need to adjust them before fixing them to the valance.

[farmer 327 1 Cars]

Just buy the pug backings and fit Denjis.

 

6205 70

[Gavin Waddell 18]

Thought about that but the backing plates are £34 over here, and on the maj. Website a pair of Denjis are £40. So will probably just wait a while then upgrade.

 

Gavin