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MG MGF Technical - Painting headlamp reflectors as short-term fix

Hi all,

As expected one headlamp failed the MOT on beam diffusion, there's not time to source a new unit or have the mail-order re-chroming job done so I'm interested in whether anyone who has simply re-painted the reflector with PlastiCoat or something similar had trouble with the MOT?

The car is off the road for the winter so a longer-term fix can be applied then, I just want to avoid the full re-test fee if at all possible ;o)

Thanks in advance
Mike
Mike Hankin

Mike,
I have just colour co-ordinated mine, took about 5 hours total, including paint drying time.

I can send you step by step photo's if you like.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Mike, I've got some spare headlight bits I could send you if they'd be useful, e-mail: idea "at" ukgateway "dot" net

Adrian - about time too!;-)
D E Alexander

Adrain, I think Mike is talking about painting the actual reflector rather than the surround.
I have tried using the Plasticote chrome paint before and can confirm it would not be suitable and it is no more reflective than normal silver paint.
The only other quick fix I can think of would be to try applying aluminium tape, which you can get from Halfords and the likes. Believe it’s designed for exhaust repairs but it may just be reflective enough to get your car through and MOT.
Other option could be to find one of these companies that make chrome stickers and see if you could get a bit of chrome material large enough to cover the reflector.
Steve White

Spot on Steve, oh well plan B then.

Next question: Does anyone have to hand a telephone number or email address for Geoff Smith (the reflector re-chromer)? I'd hate to send it off only to find he's on his annual leave :o(

Adrian, since the bumper might be off for a week or so I'll finally get round to doing that little improvement. I think I'm OK on the method, not the first time I've had to dismantle headlamps...
Mike Hankin

Steve,
It was the actual headlamp reflectors I meant, not just the surrounds, looks much better now.

Must be getting too close to Andy, at least I kept them gold not red and cream.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Adrian, did you test the beam pattern after reassembly? And for the avoidance of doubt we're talking about the reflector bowl that is behind the dipped beam lens that is behind the unit lens..? There's a very pronounced pattern that the MOT requires, I'm not sure the spray-painted surface is accurate enough.
Mike Hankin

No not yet, but my local garage will look at it for me before it goes in. All I can say at this stage is having done a good amount of night driving, I use Osram Cool Blue bulbs (pure intense white) there does not seem any deterioration, however that does not mean the beam pattern will be acceptable of course.

I understand from others that have done theirs, it does not pose a problem, I may, of course, be proved wrong, we'll see.

If I have to I will keep a set of headlamps for MoT as I do with a cat.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Hmm, tempted though I am to have a go, I think I'll go for the re-chroming. I'd be interested to know how you get on at MOT time Adrian, if it sails through I reserve the right to kick myself...

Thanks for the offer D E, I think I may be able to recycle a slightly damaged one I have.
Mike Hankin

There are two issues being discussed here. Painting the outer reflector and re-silvering the inner bowls. The former will have no discernable impact on the beam pattern (if it did there would be no Trophy 160 headlamps) whilst the latter will affect it dramatically.

I have no real advice to give on the subject of re-chroming the inner reflector bowles other than trying to contact Rob Bell, as he seems to have made the initial contact with the re-chromers and can probably point you in the right direction.

Good luck

SF
Scarlet Fever

Mike, I'm sure you've already found the link, but here's the detail on headlamp disassembly and rechroming that Andy mentioned: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/lighting/misty_headlights.htm

BTW Richard Eaton did the plastikote thing, and reckoned it worked. However, doing this will destroy any chance of getting the reflector bowls rechromed, so I'd probably not risk it.
Rob Bell

As a suggestion who has painted their headlamp reflectors and plastic surrounds before me I know of a few, and does it go through the MoT test OK ?

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Adrian, thanks for the pix - I haven't yet had a chance to sort through them, but have you got a few words to go with them - or did you send some with the files? (You can tell I've been otherwise distracted of late! ROFL)
Rob Bell

Join the club, a certain event in October seems to be taking a large amount of time.

I didn't supply any words as you would know everything about it, including the hidden screws etc., however if you want me to, no problem.

Those picture serve a dual edged sword as they also cover the changing of the grilles all round, I will send you the latest one across the rear of the silencer later.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

:o) You're right Adrian - but I think that you deserve all the credits that they deserve! I think that it always looks good when it says words and pictures by Adrian Clifford :o)

I know what you mean about a certain october event... I've got some work to do there myself :o)
Rob Bell

Thanks Rob, I'd already consulted your online Bible ;o)

I'm sure I can find a productive use for the time the bumper is off, the MOT tester advised some rubbing down & repainting on the front subframe to prolong its life. Everything else checked out OK so that's confirmation that a 6-figure mileage F can cope with heavy track use without bits falling off...
Mike Hankin

Let me try and get this straight -

Adrian, are you saying that you painted the REFLECTOR gold? Just to match the car? Has anybody done this with BRG or TB or even XPG? Why not just paint the bulbs black and cut out all the light completely?
John Ponting

John,
Yes, all the chrome was rubbed off and the whole thing including the plastic backplate, because you can see part of it was sprayed to colour match the car.

One thing I will tell you is that the headlamp "seen" area does not appear to have diminished, how it apppears as a beam pattern at test will be a question of wait and see. I use different bulbs than standard, Osram Cool Blues, they help, but will not affect or enhance the beam pattern.

But I have seen other cars, both here and Europe that have done this, sorry to say I pinched the idea, they must have been through an annual MoT.

If I have "shot myself in the foot" I will wait and see, but the cosmetic appearance is lovely and I am very comfortable with the lights at night, if you are coming to the hotel the night before MGF10 I will show you what I mean, you may be surprised. Pop down to the Essex Roadsters next month I'll take you out for a run.

Has anybody done this who can confirm MoT pass or not ?
Adrian Clifford

Adrian, thanks for confirming. I shall try to see the result at MGF10, although in daylight.

btw Shame you couldn't make Monaco, great time had by those that did. Maybe next time? I have a couple of ideas to discuss with Tim next time we meet up. MG related, not quite so far, not quite so rich. More cash to spend on wine to bring back.
John Ponting

John,
Not half as sorry as I was, still waiting for call from hospital as well.

Over on the MGF Register forum I have started a thread on Europen events next year, including the European Event of the Year in Auvergne.

There are also trips to Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Sweden. Look forward to seeing you and Lynne on some of those.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

I may??? have a set for sale next week as I am looking at fitting a Trophy set! :o).

Which brings me to another question, seem to remmember a post a while back about removing headlights, without removing bumper!!, had a look in the archives but cant seem to find it.......

Anyone recall??.

Mark.L

Mark, the only stage that requires the bumper not being in the way is the removal of the two retaining screws half way down the outside edge of the headlamp units. Even if you're brave enough to wrestle the plastic away far enough to get a screwdriver in to these screws, you'd have had to undo all the tricky screws just to get that far, all that would remain is flipping out the indicators to release the two mounting bolts and the screws across the slam panel. It's just taken me a whole 20 minutes from start to bumper on kitchen floor, granted not the first time I've done it but it really isn't difficult. Andy Philips is an advocate of the stubby screwdriver, but I find this results in blood loss at some point; a very long slim screwdriver means you only have to open the wheelarch liner a few mm rather than enough to get your whole hand in.
Mike Hankin

Did you get any confirmation of the price and time for the reflector re-crome?

Would need to send at least one of the reflectors very soon...


//O
O Sander

60 quid Oskar :o)

Mark, it was Dieter with the cunning idea of removing the headlamps without removing the bumper - but to be honest, removing the bumper *looks* scarier than it is in reality. It only took me a few minutes to do :o)
Rob Bell

Just in case anybody was confused, we seem to have been talking about the front reflector, as per the trophy style, but thinking about the back (bulb) reflector.

Therefore little diminishing, if any, effect on the lamp operation.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Mike/Rob.

Thanks! :o)

Have had the front bumper off a few times in the past, and as you say not a big job!, other than trying to get the front shut line right!.

I just half remmember reading a post where someone had removed Headlights with the bumper in situ!!...
Mark.L

It is possible Mark - its getting to the side bolt that retains the head light down the side of the bumper. If you remove the bumper screws from the wheel arch, and gently prize the bumper out, it may be possible to access this bolt - but access will be tight. :o)
Rob Bell

>> but access will be tight <<

nowt new there then Rob!!! :o)
Mark.L

This thread was discussed between 20/09/2005 and 23/09/2005

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