Progress Of My Retro.

[brettg4215]

as of the taping process....i did something much better.
i just covered the part that i didnt want to paint with petroleum or vaselineand just pianted over.
after paint dried, i just wiped it off and there was my pretty chrome backing
^worked great.


i know these arent xenon projectors but what do you guys think about me just getting a pair of ZKW replica lenses?
they seem to make a pretty big difference.

 

[RedRyder]

I know you have already passed this step but for others that are using this for a diy... here is some information from a manufacturing engineers view...

The reason the chrome finish peels off so easily is because the plastic base of the headlight is chromed using a vacuum metalizing process. Its a cheap process that gives plastic parts a chrome finish without coating the entire part in a thick base metal and then adding layers of chrome. So with vacuum metalizing there is a base layer applyed "the gold stuff" then the outer layer. The base layer is fumed on and then electromagnetically charge to allow for the outer layer to bond. This leaves an extremely thin top coat allowing the manufacturer to greatly decrease the cost of materials used in each assembly.

Note: You should never use house hold cleaners or abrasive items to clean it because the finish is so thin. As for applying type to it... Try using cling wrap to protect it where you can and only taping areas that you plan to cut and like someone else said wrap the tape around your hand and pull it off a couple times to make it less sticky

Wow. You sir, know your stuff. That is really good information. When I redhoused my headlights, I found even rubbing the chrome would dullen it and then make it come off (I had noticed a blemish and rubbed it with my finger). I used painter's tape to mask off the chrome reflectors, and I wish I would have thought of using clingwrap. Now I'm trying to touch up the few small spots with chrome paint. Yeeeah we'll see.

as of the taping process....i did something much better.
i just covered the part that i didnt want to paint with petroleum or vaselineand just pianted over.
after paint dried, i just wiped it off and there was my pretty chrome backing
^worked great.


i know these arent xenon projectors but what do you guys think about me just getting a pair of ZKW replica lenses?
they seem to make a pretty big difference.

vaseline!? I'll be damned. Interesting idea, glad it worked for ya.