To chrome or to powdercoat; that is the question...

[dagobert]

hey guys,

Looking for a little input from you. I have a guy with a headlight reflector that has become scratched and faded over the last 30 years or so. It's not a sealed beam, and the glass lens is already off and the bulb itself gone, so that's not a problem. It's a lightweight metal, and probably aluminum coated originally for the reflector.

My question is this- do I need to rechrome it, replate it with just nickel, or (here's hoping) would the spectra chrome 525 powder that I got from Caswell's a) be reflective enough, and b) would it hold up to the heat of being inside a headlamp with an H-4 halogen bulb? Anyone tried this yet? If so, what worked/failed for you?

Thanks,
Jay

[Zpider]

Without having tried it, ill say recrome it, cant imagine the cromepowder last and keep shiny enough to reflect the light in the long run...

[warchild]

How about buffing it to a chrome look and then put a clear powder on it. i do a lot of big things like that thats to big for me to chrome. and it all looks fine.

[DALE]

Yes, you could polish and then clear coat. This would work nicely. The spectra will work but definately will not hold up for the long haul.

when in dault polish it !!!!!!!!