Advance reflector technology consists of variety of configurations such as free-form reflector based technology such as Poly-Ellipsoid system. Generally shapes of reflectors are originated form a paraboloidal surface. The role of reflector in headlamp is to collect as much as light from the light source for achieving the maximum beam range. ![]() A main feature of automotive headlamp reflectors is to illuminate the road in front a vehicle and help other users on the road and also to protect the oncoming vehicles from being dazzled. Thus for a glass reflector, the surface in contact with the glass is used as the reflector and its back face is usually painted with shellac varnish or something similar for protection of the coating. The outer surface of this layer soon blemish in the air. It consists of a layer of sliver, chrome, or aluminum deposited on a smooth and polished brass or glass surface. The headlamp reflector directs the random light rays of light bulb into a concentrated beam of light. Bulb is located in the focal point of a parabolic reflector by means of standard holders fixed on the ceasing of headlamp assembly. A few telescopes get coated with multi-layer coatings using Nichrome, silver, silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, and other materials - they will go many years between recoating.The crucial elements of headlamps are lens, reflector, and bulb. Big telescope mirrors don't usually get the silicon dioxide overcoat layer, so they have to be stripped and recoated every few years. I had a role in the design, fabrication, and testing of this vacuum chamber and coating process. ![]() Here's a 14 ft diameter mirror at the Discovery Channel Telescope in Happy Jack, AZ that has been vacuum coated with aluminum as it emerges from the vacuum chamber. Metal and glass reflectors need to be perfectly polished before nickel plating and vacuum coating. If the reflector is made from metal (steel, brass, aluminum), it's usually a good idea to put aluminum down over a thin nickel layer, but it can be electroless nickel (Kanigen) that will plate into holes and around corners. Posts 625-628 and Las Vegas Daves post on Uvira.Įvaporated aluminum coatings do NOT need to be deposited on top of electroplated nickel if the coating is deposited on glass. What about silver? Do you have to clean it up much? Has it worn through?Ĭheck out Gary W`s "37 Buick mod 48 restoration" in pre-war. What about Uvira? Has anyone had that done recently? How did it go?įor those of you who have your cars judged, Are Uvira reflectors the same color to the eye as silver ones? Can the judges tell the difference and do they care?įor those of you who drive your cars a lot, how do Uvira reflectors hold up out in the world? What happens when they get wet? Who still resilvers reflectors in 2017? Have you had it done lately, and were you happy with the results? There are a lot of dead links to potential resilvering companies. Aftermarket reflectors are not really an option for me because the originals are contoured.įrom all the old threads I could find, here and in other forums, it seems to be a debate between resilvering and Uvira's Aluminum-Pyrex process. I need to get this done for my 1936 Pontiac. I hope to get together with you soon ! - Carl The decision is, whether the plater is your first, or last stop. If done properly each process should produce equal illumination to the human eye initially. No judge in the world could figure out what coating you have. I don't think a rare wetting would do noticeable damage. Cleaning must be done carefully, using very light pressure radially with kerosene or turpentine and lampblack on old cotton cloth. Over time, usually many years depending on environment and conditions, silver will tarnish. Uvira certainly must be explicit about cleaning procedures. ![]() Soft cotton gently dragged across the surface in a strait line. ![]() Very dilute dish detergent and a bit of alcohol in the water. An extremely thin film of glass is then evaporated over the delicate aluminum for it's protection. This makes a very permanent reflective surface if you clean it EXTREMELY gently if cleaning is needed at all. It must be done on electro plated nickel. Uvira produces a thin layer of evaporated aluminum, deposited in a slightly high vacuum (around 10 to the -4). Silvering for automotive headlights is an electro plating process.
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