Headlight reflector paint

[Mustlust]

I’m refurbishing the headlights on my lbg 1950 80”. The glass is missing all the spring fasteners on one bulb, are these available or can I make some? Finding the right wire may be the challenge.
Also, the reflector bowls are very dull, even after a clean. Were these originally painted or coated with a reflective film? I’m not sure if they need polishing with steel wool or repainting. Is there a suitable highly reflective paint option available?
Thanks,
P

[V8Ian]

The reflective coating is silvering, there is no suitable alternative.

[JDNSW]

Yes. They are electroplated with silver, and there is no realistic alternative. There used to be companies that would replate reflectors in nearly every suburb, but I have not seen one for decades, and I don't know if any still exist - they were killed by more permanent reflectors and relatively cheap replacement ones, and increasing restrictions on the highly poisonous chemicals used for occupational safety and environmental reasons.

[B.S.F.]

If the silver coating on LBG lights is dull but still present, use 'Silvo' on a very soft rag.
.W.

[Mustlust]

The silvering is toast. I’ve chatted with Mario in the Sunshine Coast who will re-plate them.
Is the TEA-20 fergie light a direct replacement, looks very similar? I wonder if I can just swap out the lens for the original glass??

[Mustlust]

I’m thinking maybe the bowl in a new fergie light may be a practical swap. Comes with wiring and bulb as a bonus. May be that the lens springs are compatible also???

[V8Ian]

There's a good chance the Fergie lights are the same. Many other applications would be found, in that era, the lights being a generic Lucas offering.

[101RRS]

Why not just spray paint them with modern chrome paint - there are some paints just for this purpose - plenty of You Tube videos on doing it.

Garry

[JDNSW]

We are talking about a reflector that needs to form an accurate beam - no paint is even close.

The Ferguson lights, as I recall are very similar, but not identical. However, there is a very good chance the reflectors are interchangeable.

[B.S.F.]

Paint didn't work for me.
.W.

[gromit]

Are you trying make it look original with 'LUCAS' moulded in the glass ?
If so, what will a repro Fergie glass have on it ?

If not looking for originality, 7" headlamps are readily available but be careful buying from Ebay.

I purchased 7" Ebay headlamps complete with globes. The globes were rubbish and 'horizontal' lines on the glass sat at odd angles where the glass had been misaligned during manufacture.
I threw them away and purchased lamps from a local Narva supplier. Look OK, work perfectly, just don't have LUCAS on the glass.

I did try to remove the LUCAS glass from an old light unsuccessfully. My thinking was to bond the old glass to a new bowl.....I will try again sometime.

Colin

[B.S.F.]

LBG lights are 5-1/2" Lucas or Butlers. 7" are too big.
.W.

[TonyC]

LBG lights are 5-1/2" Lucas or Butlers. 7" are too big.
.W.

Are they 5 1/2" or 5 3/4"?
5 3/4" are the standard small round headlights, and as Colin said, available.

Narva |
Halogen Headlamp - H4 Conversion Kit (Raised Glass) - 5 3/4" High/Low Beam Free Form (https://www.narva.com.au/products/72050/halogen-headlamp---h4-conversion-kit--raised-glass----5-3-4--34--high-low-beam-free-form)

Tony

[Mustlust]

Well, it appears the ‘new’ fergie lights have a sealed beam unit that isn’t a suitable swap to not the old body. So, while the replacements look ok, the lens will not be similar…. But probably still a good option. I may well head down the path of getting the original bowls re-silvered, then they will be original. Not much of a price difference in the end.

[B.S.F.]

These are lamps designed in the 40's, if not earlier. I don't think they are 'standard'.
The O/D of the lamp is 5-3/4".
.W.

[gromit]

My bad, I didn't read the 80" bit !

Colin