How to...improve your lights

I have the '3 screw' type lights, which have a separate chrome bowl and glass lense. Not only are these harder to find now but they are also very expensive for genuine ones. There are cheaper aftermarket ones on backorder, but I wanted to have a go at making an immediate improvement to the candle glow I have at the front. I've looked into getting the bowls rechromed, but it would be cheaper for me to take my bus to the moon, so;

Here is the offending item, a metal headlamp bowl with most of the silvering missing.



I've already 'upgraded' to H4 White light halogen bulbs which make a massive difference but the reflector is still not up to much. So, at lunchtime, whilst in B+Q I found rustoleum 'chrome' spray paint which I thought was worth a try. It was;



the picture, which makes it look like its just silver paint, doesn't do it justice - its not quite Mclaren reflective but it is reflective and a vast improvement.

I also did the inside of the rear lights, which also makes a vast difference, especially to the rear and brake light brightness.



All for £7.50p and half an hours work

 

Great idea I might do that ;D Can i ask you a question, when yours are on normal beam is the top or bottom half lit up, i think mine are upside down

 

A great idea. When will you drive it in the dark to report the improvement?

 

Uprating the coil in mine made a huge difference to the bulb brightness.

 

I didnt know b and q were selling rustoleum now ill have to pop in next time im passing cheers joker
Oh dude did you notice if they had the brush on tins as well as the rattle cans?

 

I used the plasticote chrome paint once and it was reasonable untill you put the laquer over it and it dulled it right down.

Ive got the later single screw lights and the reflector bowls are corroded at the bottom
I take it they dont come apart like the 3 screw ones?

 

no they don't, the lens and bowl are a single unit

 

and the results are in.

Took the van down a great dark road - aptly named Blackhole Lane. WOW!!!

I can see on dipped beam, the light actually fans out at the side as it should do, main beam I had to put my sunglasses on

and here it is when I got home and took some pics

Dipped



High



High has dedicated spots too but the main lights are brighter

 

brilliant, im doing that next ;D

 

it was really nice as I could actually see the road. In front of me!! White lights are the future

I also have some Blue LED's lighting up the inside of the rear air intakes which act as a reversing aid as I don't have reverse lights. I'm gonna do the whole fast and furious underneath next

 

I used it on my trailer lights made a massive difference.

 

It just so happens i have some rustoleum chrome in my cupboard... used it to do the bezels on the inside of my instrument dial - time to experiment!!