How to repair a headlight reflector yourself

Restoring headlight reflectors is a job that can be done at home if you wish. But in this case there is a number of conditions that must be necessarily observed. Violations of the technology will lead to a deterioration of the light. And in the most unfortunate cases, the headlight will be damaged and you will have to buy a new one.

Causes of damage

If over time the headlight light has become less bright and the beam has become blurred, there is most likely a problem with the reflector. This happens for a number of reasons and the most common ones are:

1. Physical wear and tear.. These days, most reflector housings are made of plastic, the surface of which is coated with a special compound. Its service life is limited and over time the coating begins to crack, peel off or lose reflectivity. This occurs due to repeated changes in temperature.
2. Installing higher wattage lamps. This improves the light, but over time, some of the coating simply darkens from constant overheating.
   A bulb that is too powerful literally survives the reflective layer.
3. Breaking the tightness of the structure .. Moisture and dust are bad for the elements and over time it causes damage to the elements and decreases the reflectivity of the surface.

If the integrity of the element is compromised, there is no point in restoring it, it is easier to replace it with another.

Methods of repair

Restore the reflector at home can be done in different ways. Each of them has its own characteristics. Choose the one that is best suited in a particular situation and will provide a good effect.

Regardless of the method of repair, the headlight must first be disassembled. If the glass is held on the seal by latches, they are carefully removed. But most often it is glued to a special sealant. In this case, you need to heat the element to a temperature above 70 degrees and carefully separate the diffuser. You can do this with a construction hair dryer or by placing the element in an oven at 100 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Tape with an aluminum coating

This method is good for small reflectors.

It is also called metalized tape and is sold in automotive and hardware stores. It is suitable for repair, as it withstands temperature changes well and has good reflective properties. The work is carried out as follows:

1. Damaged surfaces should be carefully cleaned with any alcohol-free cleaner. If necessary, it is worth removing the peeling coating.
2. Pieces of the right size are cut out, tried on to make sure everything is positioned correctly.
3. With the tape is removed from the protective layer and it is glued to the surface, there should be no folds so that the light is not distorted.

How effective this method is, you will learn from the video.

The fewer joints between the tape - the better.

The main advantage can be considered the simplicity and accessibility of the method. Minus - the tape repeats the irregularities of the reflector, and the seams on the surface reduce the efficiency of the headlight.

Mirror film

A mirror film reflects light well.

Most often there is Oracal material in auto stores, it withstands temperature fluctuations and is resistant to adverse influences. Sold by the meter, you can buy a small piece to repair a damaged reflector. Instructions for repair:

1. You should buy a version called "glossy chrome"; it reflects light best.
2. First, precise templates are made of paper or cardboard, according to which the film is cut out.
3. The surface is thoroughly cleaned and degreased. Then the film is glued to the prepared places, heated with a hairdryer and aligned so that there are no folds and bubbles.

Headlamp must be glued on sealant and leave it to dry. If done correctly, you can restore the reflectivity of the surface almost completely.

Aluminum tape.

It is difficult to glue aluminum tape without creases.

The material is used in thermal insulation and plumbing work. It withstands high temperatures well and lasts for many years. The work should be carried out as follows:

1. The surface is prepared and cleaned as usual. Then templates are made from cardboard or heavy paper exactly to the size of the damaged areas.
2. Pieces of foil are cut out. The surface of the reflector on which they will be placed is smeared with a thin layer of epoxy resin.
3. After gluing, you need to leave the headlight in a warm place for at least a day to dry.

The option is simple, but It is not possible to remove the foilIf there are problems later, you will have to replace the element.

From the video you will learn: Is it worth restoring the reflector with foil tape.

Chromium spray paint

You need to paint evenly.

You can find a special paint for reflectors on sale, which creates a chrome effect and allows you to remove the darkening quickly and effectively. The main thing is that the composition is resistant to temperature fluctuations. The work is done as follows:

1. The reflector is sanded with fine sandpaper until perfectly smooth. If the paint is applied to a shiny surface, it will begin to peel off over time.
2. Paint is applied according to the instructions. Usually you need to shake the can for 2-3 minutes and apply it in an even, careful layer so that it does not drip. It is better to make 2-3 thin layers for reliability.
3. Dry in the manner recommended by the manufacturer of the paint. Surfaces should never be touched during installation.

Reflector should not be washed and wiped in places that are not repairable. Clean only with compressed air from a compressor.

Reflector restoration

If the condition of the elements is bad or the design is such that it is impossible to restore the surface on your own, it is worth giving them to restoration. This service is provided by specialized companies, which clean the elements and perfectly prepare them.

After restoration, the parts look like new.

The metallization in the factory is of high quality and uniform. Reflectors are dried at high temperature, which ensures their durability and allows you to restore quality light without replacing parts. The cost of the service depends on the region and design headlightsThe more complex it is, the more expensive the repair will be.

Headlight Reflector Replacement

If the disassembly revealed that the reflector is damaged or its condition is very bad, it is better to replace it with a new or reconditioned. The work is not difficult, but it requires accuracy, as you can damage small parts. The process looks like this:

1. First, all connectors, light bulbs and other elements are removed. The nature of the work depends on the model of the car and the design features of the headlights. Most often in the work a screwdriver or TORX stars are used.
2. The reflector is usually fixed in the body with screws or held by latches. In the first case, you need to carefully unscrew the fasteners. In the second case, unclip the catches and remove the element so as not to damage the plastic.
3. When installing a new reflector, it must not be Do not touch it with your hands or wipe it with a cloth.. This will cause small scratches on the surface. It is best to unpack the part just before installation so that less dust will get on it.
4. Assembly is performed in the reverse order. Particular attention should be paid to the installation of the glass, first a new layer of sealant is applied around the perimeter of the headlight, then it is placed in place and pressed down. It is more convenient to use small clamps to fix it in the right position.

Sometimes the only option may be to replace the reflector.

Sealant residue is easier to remove by pre-cooling the parts, then it is easily scraped off with a knife.

In conclusion, we recommend watching a series of thematic videos.

It is possible to repair a headlight reflector with your own hands, using one of four methods. The main thing is that the surface is not deformed, otherwise only replacement will help.