We are the ones that will be reconditioning reflectors soon. The last 5-700 pound hi-tech power supply comes in by truck today. If it stops snowing that is as it never snowed basically at all this winter before the last week.
There is nothing wrong with the apearance of the older method chrome. The downside though is chromium only reflects about 56 percent of the light bulbs output. Silvering is about 90+ percent reflective in comparison.
Some fellows have used mirroring shops with good luck. I personally feel a person should want performance, appearance, and exceptional durabilty.
The system we will be using is called vacuum metalzing. A metal like bright aluminium is melted and vapouised in a high vacuum and deposits on the reflector surface. When this is done a very hard coat is applied over it to stop any oxidation of the aluminium and protect the surface as well. This is the same method as all new reflector manufactures have used for at least the last twenty years or more. Just look into one of your cars sealed beams to see the exact finish by our method.
The appearance looks like bright silver as well yet reflects even a small percentage more of the light than bright silver. It is very durable if done properly and does not tarnish over time. Most important to me is it has a pretty good color match to bright silver or the old chrome color before tri valient chrome use spread through the industry. That newer chrome plating has a somewhat darker appearing component in it. Or at least to my eyes.
Your reflector also has to be conditioned to 2000 grit paper to get a decent job. Rust pits and other surface problems are also far easier to deal with when using vacuum metalization. There is far more flexability to prepare the surface for application alone. This reduces preparation time . Hopefully this should equate to a better job at lesser cost for the user.
We really examined this area before deciding to plunge in. Our total equipment costs are much higher than other approaches yet I feel the end results justify it's application over any other methods. The additional savings by not having to spend endless money on enviroment issues alone was another major consideration..
Most important to us though is we want happy customers that have recieved value for their money spent.
Our warranty will also be comprehensive. A bad taste of paying for something and not getting it or paying to have it done over again have not been the enjoyable high points of my own life either.
We are seriously considering a lifetime warranty for the original purchaser as long as he owns his car. I may not be around but think the company will be strong enough to survive for the remainder of the present century. Really it is just good business.
We are really close to doing some trial work to make sure all systems are functioning with good quality control. Pricing has been one of the critical issues to determine. At present it is felt that we might be able to charge about half of what our only one serious competing company on the west coast charges. They have become somewhat complacent and are staying with the bright silver plated finish. They have also been the only specialized service existing to do used automobile reflectors to the best of our knowledge. So it looks like our charge will be 50.00 per reflector with a purchasers lifetime warranty and we are a very easy firm to deal with.
Our price includes all preparation, actual coating, sealing, and finish packaging plus a real warranty. The competitions current approach is 71.00 per 7 inch reflector plus 45.00 per hour for prep work. With no real warranty that I am aware of. Their bright silver plated finish has to start tarnishing with time. The bare silver does and will oxidize.
By mentioning as it was previously requested by a site member. Additional understandings of processes and results it is hoped an informed consumer can make better choices. The websight for what we visulise soon to be our only real competion is www.stevesautorestrations.com.Although reconditioning auto reflectors generally seem to be a lesser component of their operations than they once were. Hope the above is helpful in your quest.