Budget options for restoring headlight reflector

[Horsey McHorseface]

RAV4 MK1. The khaki bits should be reflective chrome, but now gone.


Of all the chrome paints available, this looks the best, but appears out of stock currently.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liquid-Gold-Leaf-Paint-Al...


Otherwise tape or film may be an option. I found this, but don t know if it s sufficiently flexible to mould around the reflectors contours. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156192939997?_trkparms=...

Any suggestions welcome.

Edited by Horsey McHorseface on Tuesday 2nd June 14:44

[Ritchie335is]

"Tastyclassics" on YouTube did a video on the best chrome paints, all were a bit crap apart from one, which was applied then you waved a blow torch over it, and with a bit of heat, it really di look like chrome. It was expensive If I remember correctly. Possible worth a watch.
You might* get away with some aluminum tape, carefully applied but it might not be too good. A cheap experiment though.

[Red9zero]

Do they need to be chrome ? Could they not be black, or would it reduce the light output too much ?

[Horsey McHorseface]

Ritchie335is said:

"Tastyclassics" on YouTube did a video on the best chrome paints, all were a bit crap apart from one, which was applied then you waved a blow torch over it, and with a bit of heat, it really di look like chrome. It was expensive If I remember correctly. Possible worth a watch.
You might* get away with some aluminum tape, carefully applied but it might not be too good. A cheap experiment though.

In my search of chrome paints, I did find a group test that included that heat up with a flame paint. Would have to be careful used on plastic though. Alu tape is a good call, but maybe slightly less reflective, compared to my eBay find, above. Ideally I want to try and match the reflectifness of the other headlight.

Red9zero said:

Do they need to be chrome ? Could they not be black, or would it reduce the light output too much ?

Good point. The main reflector is in the back, surrounding the bulbs, and are perfectly fine. May well pass an MOT either as is, or black. However, my photos are not of a pair of headlights, rather 2 photos of the offside. The nearside retains perfect chrome finish, so the aim has to be to match that, because this RAV4 MK1 is very low miles, so I want it looking just right, before putting up for sale.

Edited by Horsey McHorseface on Tuesday 2nd June 16:17

[Horsey McHorseface]

I think I'm favouring my eBay mirror find. If it's not mouldable enough in larger sections, I can cut it into varying strips and use like a roll of alu tape. A few more join lines, but less wrinkles, which hopefully won't be too noticeable behind the glass lens.

[finlo]

I managed to do a pretty reasonable job on a corroded diamond cut wheel using a chrome vinyl wrap if that's an option.

[Horsey McHorseface]

finlo said:

I managed to do a pretty reasonable job on a corroded diamond cut wheel using a chrome vinyl wrap if that's an option.

Can you link to the wrap you used?

[21TonyK]

Is heat an issue with tape or a wrap? Personally, ifs it just to tidy up for sale, I'd spray black.