headlight rings and grills - rechrome or new?

[8bit-ash]

Is it worth the extra expense of rechroming original headlight rings vs a set of new ones and the same with the little chrome grills?

Also is there any secret to removing these -



It feels like the screw is going to twist and snap.

Lastly has anyone used essex finishers for chroming? I only ask because they are quite local so I can drop off and collect.

[911hillclimber]

Are you sure those threaded shafts are meant to unscrew, looks light an adjustment flexible drive to me.

I had my original '73 rims re-chromed in 1989 by a supplier of chroming to the company I worked for along with the door handles.

That chrome is still perfect today.
I had new chromed over-riders for the rear of the car from Design 911 15 months ago and have little faith the chrome will survive another 15 months.

Done by a real chrome company I would go for rechroming the originals. You could try Castle Chrome for a quote. They are in Dudley, West Midlands and deal with customers the country over.
Used them on many projects, their chrome is show quality rather than commercial quality.

[8bit-ash]

I don't think they were supposed to come off as it looks like they were crimped together, however i'm not sure how to get them chromed without removing them. I'll try castle they seem to be the go to shop for all of the TV shows!

[911hillclimber]

Yes, I see the issue. You could cut the screw off at the crimp, so freeing the rim to be plated, then drill the crimp out and put the screw back in with red Loctite.

I've been to Castle Chrome about 6 times, they are about 25 mins from me, and do some fancy and simple jobs on cars and bikes. The place is like Fort Knox to get into.
They will ask for a picture of the parts with a rule placed so they can gauge the size etc..
Summer is the best time to get a reasonable turn-around, but i'm assuming they are working (bloody CV19)

[PMNorris]

I bought these. Comes with all the attachments. I couldn't get the screws off the originals. I have rebuilt my H1's which was quite simple when you don't have to remove the screws. This was cheaper and easier than getting the old rims rechromed.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Euri-Scheinw ... 2749.l2648

The same company also sells new reflectors, fitting screws, lenses and the metal body.

Here's my new rim with all the screws as delivered


Paul

[stretch]

I would buy new if possible. The polishing usually ends up bending these out of shape. When you try to compress them back in shape the chrome is prone to cracking.

[PMNorris]

Regarding the chrome grills, I assume you mean the horn grills? I bought a new set from AutoForeignServices in the US. Very good quality and a perfect fit.

[BILLY BEAN]

Original horn grills are a better fit than some of the repro versions available. However, Auto Foreign in the USA produce a very good reproduction with excellent chrome.
I have had two sets of horn grills rechromed and the results are not good. Getting access into the junction between the horizontal slats and the vertical sides is extremely difficult in order to successfully polish the surface. If your grills are badly pitted it will be necessary to remove a lot of metal to remove the putting. In short I would not bother trying to rechrome pitted horn grills.