A bit of light relief?
Discussion
Here's something I just put on a car club site I use...
Via this worthy facility, I bought a set of quad Hellas for Bert and I've just got round to prepping them for fitting. Disappointingly, the dip unit reflectors, though not pitted, have rust staining. It may not be enough to significantly affect the light output but I haven't tried them in anger yet.
So, what to do? Some web trawling has shown the units are ferociously pricey and so, far, I haven't deciphered a parts label for the type/number.
Other websites gave 'fixes' involving chrome spray paint, modelmaker's foil, etc and resilvering - if the lights can be stripped.
I know that even touching the silvering is a hanging offence because it's so delicate. One option might be to attack the staining in situ by putting in phosphoric acid (Coke) or acetic acid (white vinegar) and swilling it around before rinsing with distilled water for streak-free neutralising.
Alternatively, perhaps I could track down some good used replacements from another installation, e.g. Alfa 159/Brera or something.
Any thoughts, folks? Mine is take care when buying sight unseen...the pics didn't show the problem and I paid a more than fair price.
Via this worthy facility, I bought a set of quad Hellas for Bert and I've just got round to prepping them for fitting. Disappointingly, the dip unit reflectors, though not pitted, have rust staining. It may not be enough to significantly affect the light output but I haven't tried them in anger yet.
So, what to do? Some web trawling has shown the units are ferociously pricey and so, far, I haven't deciphered a parts label for the type/number.
Other websites gave 'fixes' involving chrome spray paint, modelmaker's foil, etc and resilvering - if the lights can be stripped.
I know that even touching the silvering is a hanging offence because it's so delicate. One option might be to attack the staining in situ by putting in phosphoric acid (Coke) or acetic acid (white vinegar) and swilling it around before rinsing with distilled water for streak-free neutralising.
Alternatively, perhaps I could track down some good used replacements from another installation, e.g. Alfa 159/Brera or something.
Any thoughts, folks? Mine is take care when buying sight unseen...the pics didn't show the problem and I paid a more than fair price.
davhill said:
Here's something I just put on a car club site I use...
Via this worthy facility, I bought a set of quad Hellas for Bert and I've just got round to prepping them for fitting. Disappointingly, the dip unit reflectors, though not pitted, have rust staining. It may not be enough to significantly affect the light output but I haven't tried them in anger yet.
So, what to do? Some web trawling has shown the units are ferociously pricey and so, far, I haven't deciphered a parts label for the type/number.
Other websites gave 'fixes' involving chrome spray paint, modelmaker's foil, etc and resilvering - if the lights can be stripped.
I know that even touching the silvering is a hanging offence because it's so delicate. One option might be to attack the staining in situ by putting in phosphoric acid (Coke) or acetic acid (white vinegar) and swilling it around before rinsing with distilled water for streak-free neutralising.
Alternatively, perhaps I could track down some good used replacements from another installation, e.g. Alfa 159/Brera or something.
Any thoughts, folks? Mine is take care when buying sight unseen...the pics didn't show the problem and I paid a more than fair price.
Update, with another quote, the original ad...Via this worthy facility, I bought a set of quad Hellas for Bert and I've just got round to prepping them for fitting. Disappointingly, the dip unit reflectors, though not pitted, have rust staining. It may not be enough to significantly affect the light output but I haven't tried them in anger yet.
So, what to do? Some web trawling has shown the units are ferociously pricey and so, far, I haven't deciphered a parts label for the type/number.
Other websites gave 'fixes' involving chrome spray paint, modelmaker's foil, etc and resilvering - if the lights can be stripped.
I know that even touching the silvering is a hanging offence because it's so delicate. One option might be to attack the staining in situ by putting in phosphoric acid (Coke) or acetic acid (white vinegar) and swilling it around before rinsing with distilled water for streak-free neutralising.
Alternatively, perhaps I could track down some good used replacements from another installation, e.g. Alfa 159/Brera or something.
Any thoughts, folks? Mine is take care when buying sight unseen...the pics didn't show the problem and I paid a more than fair price.
Hella headlights in good condition.
They are star silver £150 ono
Good condition? My wrinkled arse.
One of the plastic shrouds, to be painted in body colour, has a tiny split by one of the screw holes, there are no plugs
on the indicator wires and I don't know if the beam angle motors work. But the dip/sidelight reflectors?
Clearly Failed Under Continous Kinetic Testing.
I paid just a tenner under his asking price, to include p&p. The packaging was OK but the parcel
took over a month to show up. I'm pretty sure that it wasn't under the sea somewhere for that
period but I very much doubt the reflectors rusted in transit.
Two words spring to mind: royally shafted.
Now here's a thing, culled from investigative light stripping today.
it ain't rust! The light units, as the pics show,are coated in a brownish glossy
finish, like tinted clearcoat. What I took for rust damage is this material
showing on the reflectors where the silvering has disappeared.
The lights are as clean as a whistle inside and the reflector surfaces are 100% smooth.
I've no idea where the silvering's gone. Strangely, the high beam units are both perfect.
Same lights, same age, mystery.
I've been investigating resilvering, actually, having the units chromed inside. here's a quotation I received this morning.
Good Morning David,
A rough idea on costs would be as below:
2 x 90mm reflectors silver plate £78 each
1 x dismantle and assemble (pair) £80
ALL + VAT & RETURN POSTAGE
regard
XXxxxxxx
HOW MUCH???? I deliberately didn't name the outfit here.
It's also clear the unit casings aren't what they seem. A magnet said they're non-ferrous,
the maker's web site mentions die cast Zinc and cast aluminium.
Ever the optimist, I've written to Mr. Hella.
it ain't rust! The light units, as the pics show,are coated in a brownish glossy
finish, like tinted clearcoat. What I took for rust damage is this material
showing on the reflectors where the silvering has disappeared.
The lights are as clean as a whistle inside and the reflector surfaces are 100% smooth.
I've no idea where the silvering's gone. Strangely, the high beam units are both perfect.
Same lights, same age, mystery.
I've been investigating resilvering, actually, having the units chromed inside. here's a quotation I received this morning.
Good Morning David,
A rough idea on costs would be as below:
2 x 90mm reflectors silver plate £78 each
1 x dismantle and assemble (pair) £80
ALL + VAT & RETURN POSTAGE
regard
XXxxxxxx
HOW MUCH???? I deliberately didn't name the outfit here.
It's also clear the unit casings aren't what they seem. A magnet said they're non-ferrous,
the maker's web site mentions die cast Zinc and cast aluminium.
Ever the optimist, I've written to Mr. Hella.
These have deteriorated faster than the main beam units as dipped beam is on more of the time. The heat of normal use deteriorates the silvering.
Re-silvering is an expensive process and your quote seems similar to what I have seen before. There is time needed for dismantling as well as the small scale nature of the job.
Saab 9000s suffer from this issue and there is a company that offers a pair of reflectors (only, removed from light) refurbished on an exchange basis for around £100 or so. They benefit from sending batches to be done and dismantling the light units beforehand and still don't get it done for much less than your quote.
My 71 Beetle needed the reflectors re-silvering so I bought two complete new units including the glass, chrome trim and fittings for less than one reflector repair.
You may need to chalk this up to experience and cut your losses.
Re-silvering is an expensive process and your quote seems similar to what I have seen before. There is time needed for dismantling as well as the small scale nature of the job.
Saab 9000s suffer from this issue and there is a company that offers a pair of reflectors (only, removed from light) refurbished on an exchange basis for around £100 or so. They benefit from sending batches to be done and dismantling the light units beforehand and still don't get it done for much less than your quote.
My 71 Beetle needed the reflectors re-silvering so I bought two complete new units including the glass, chrome trim and fittings for less than one reflector repair.
You may need to chalk this up to experience and cut your losses.
Interesting, thanks very much.
Your explanation re longevity makes sense.
I could cut costs by removing the lenses myself... I have instructions.
I have another quotation, chrome for £140 + vat but I've only just told the chap about the lights' composition.
I'll also see what Mr. Hella has to say. On this site, the units are NLA. but NOS may exist
It's some time since I decided the units are made of Pricelessium
Your explanation re longevity makes sense.
I could cut costs by removing the lenses myself... I have instructions.
I have another quotation, chrome for £140 + vat but I've only just told the chap about the lights' composition.
I'll also see what Mr. Hella has to say. On this site, the units are NLA. but NOS may exist
It's some time since I decided the units are made of Pricelessium
ging84 said:
Have you asked Bert what he thinks? sounds like they're going on his car.
Hehe. Bert is my car. He's an Opel Astra Bertone convertible so his name is 'Bert One.' Childish but I do such things. For example, my Kuga was Harrison (Ford).
Back to the lights, I followed the advice of one of the chroming firms in an attempt
to detach the light lenses from the metal lamp bodies. As suggested, I gave the units 90 mins in a fan oven
at 150 deg C. The lenses weren't for shifting in any way. So, I gave them an extra 30 mins at 170C (338 F)
and nothing would budge.
The small blob of sealant I can access is still soft and this leads me to believe it's silicone based.
Thankfully, I didn't do any significant damage while trying to lever the glassware off.
I'm thiunking that as heat didn't work, I need a solvent of some sort. I just don't want to
damage the metal lamp bodys' brown toffee apple coating.
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