Vintage Headlamp Restoration International
The Restoration Process
All lamps are completely disassembled and the old plate/paint is stripped
chemically from the bodies and rims. The rims and bodies are repaired and
where necessary built up to strengthen weak patches or holes. If necessary
new bodies, rims and relectors can be reproduced as well as badges and other
intricate pieces. All work is performed using silversmithing techniques
to ensure that the build quality and final product is of concours standard.
The lamp pieces are then buffed and polished to ensure that the surface
of the lamps is free of dents and ripples to ensure successful electroplating.
The lamp parts are then painted or plated, firstly with copper, then with
nickel and finally with chromium (more details
click here). Once plated, the lamp is assembled and tested.
Here, a lamp is repaired and dents are removed carefully with laborious attention to detail
A lamp body is Buffed. A large buffing wheel is used and a mixture of ground pumice in a light oil is used to generate a perfectly smooth finish
A lamp body is polished using a spindle with soft brushes and a rouge polish
The lamp body, rims etc are plated
Finally the lamp is assembled carefully and the lenses and electrical components are refitted