What does car headlight regeneration look like? Can you do it yourself?

More and more professionals appear on the market of companies involved in the revitalization of reflectors. Thanks to this, you no longer have to do this work yourself, and the effect obtained can be compared with the factory one. This does not change the fact that it is worth knowing what the stages of repair are. What is light reflector regeneration? Expensive operation? Should you start working from home? We answer these questions in the article!

Regeneration of headlight reflectors - why does the driver need it?

In older cars, many parts lose their properties over the years. The shades begin to fade and turn yellow, and the plastic is sometimes not as transparent as it was at the beginning. The same thing happens with reflectors, which at first give a mirror image, but then become gray and dull. Therefore, professional regeneration of metal reflectors is sometimes necessary if the driver does not want to buy new headlights. It allows you to restore good quality lighting. What are the stages of work?

What is professional headlight regeneration?

First of all, of course, disassembly. By returning these elements to the company already disassembled, you can save a lot. Of course, if you don't know how to disassemble the entire lamp, it's best not to. However, this is generally not a particularly difficult process. After separating the reflectors from the headlights, it is necessary to evaluate their wear and start the regeneration process. We have described it step by step below.

Professional regeneration of reflectors - removal of old layers

The initial stages of reflector repair:

• chemical bath of reflectors;
• chemical removal of anti-corrosion coating;
• fine-grained manual sandblasting.

The first step in plating the reflectors is to immerse them in a chemical to remove the old aluminum layer.. If the metal layer has already been heavily exploited, then after contact with acid it will come off very quickly. The next step is the chemical removal of the anti-corrosion coating. Thanks to this, you can get to the structure of the sheet from which the reflector is made. The last stage of this part of the work is fine-grained manual sandblasting. After this treatment, no more dirt and layers of varnish remain on the surface.

Regeneration of lamp reflectors - applying new layers

The next stage of the repair is the machine application of an anti-corrosion primer. This process is usually done automatically on the production line, but it can also be done manually. Much depends on the technology of the plant. After the substance dries, powder coating is performed, giving the headlights a black color. When the surface is ready for aluminum spraying, the last stage is carried out - metallization. Thanks to this treatment the regeneration of the lamps gives an effect comparable to the factory ones, and the restored elements are visible through them.

Comprehensive repair of car headlight reflectors - the cost of the service

As we mentioned earlier, you can really win a lot if you choose to repair only the reflectors. Then the cost of regeneration should not exceed 100-15 euros per piece. The price depends on the size and type of the item and its condition. It is easy to calculate that the amount should not exceed 30 euros for the headlights. And this is of course the upper limit, because the cost may well be half as much. Buying new lamps, depending on the model, usually costs several hundred zlotys.

How to restore the headlight reflector yourself?

To do this, you will need several products, as well as knowledge and skills. Removing the reflectors can be a hassle, but if you want to do it, you probably know how. After removing the components for regeneration, you will need the following:

• means for removing old varnish;
• heat-resistant shrink wrap that you apply to the surface.

Instead, you may need reflective paint. Repairing car headlights yourself can be more frustrating than you think. If you're not sure what you're doing, don't do it.

Is lamp refresh necessary?

It depends on the condition of the bulbs in your car. If moisture does not accumulate inside, and the reflector itself does not look too worn, it may be enough to change the light bulb to a more powerful one. You should also think about polishing the lampshades themselves. You can do this with a polishing paste and very fine gradation water paper. However, it happens that it is difficult to achieve a good effect without regeneration of the reflections themselves. Therefore, if you want to achieve an impressive effect, it is best to give your old reflectors to a professional refurbishment company.

Repairing a reflector is not easy if you want to do it yourself. Requires knowledge and skills. There are more and more professional companies that offer such repairs, and the cost of the service is not scary, so it will probably be more profitable to entrust reflectors to professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a reflector repair cost?

The cost of restoring a reflector should not exceed 100-15 euros per piece. However, the price depends on their condition, size and type.

How to restore the reflector yourself?

To regenerate the reflectors, you will need a means to remove the old varnish,

heat-resistant shrink wrap that you apply to a surface or reflective paint. After cleaning, degrease the reflector, apply a primer and dry.

When to regenerate reflectors?

Reflectors can become gray and dull over the years. When you notice this phenomenon in your headlight, take your old reflectors to a professional refurbishment company.