Headlight restoration

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Headlight restoration
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Mays on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 - 06:15 pm:

Here are pictures of headlight dings that I sure would like to have fixed. If that doesn't work what sort of luck will I have finding a pair in pretty good shape? Price? Does anyone out there do this sort of restoration? Thanks.









Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 - 07:22 pm:

Try this link
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/21397.html?1165344795


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ross Benedict - Calgary, Alberta on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 - 11:13 pm:

Is that whole unit brass? I may have some pots (no reflectors, chimneys or doors, really pots only) but they are meant for black paint. Are your doors, tops , etc good?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 - 11:30 pm:

Looks to me like one could do some careful "body and fender work" on these and put them in reasonable shape in short order. The main problem I see is that some stretching may have occurred. I suspect that could be trimmed out and put back together with Harris Safety Silv 45 to get a good color match. Why not get some brass junk and hone your skills, maybe someone has a really junk one you could practice on before you start on the real thing.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rodger Erickson on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 - 12:57 am:

That's another reproduction Gilbert Metal Products headlight, ca. 1970 - 1980. Replacement parts are available.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 - 01:07 am:

I once had a French horn that was pretty banged up. I took it to the music store and the resident brass horn repair technician was able to make it like new. Brass instrument technicians are pretty good at getting dings out of the bells of brass horns and probably wouldn't have any trouble getting the dents out of your brass light with the specialized brass working tools they have at their disposal. Call the music director of the marching band at the local high school or college and ask where they have their brass instruments serviced and that will be the place you'll want to go to have your light repaired. Drive your Model T there to generate some enthusiasm and excitement that what they are doing is helping to preserve a piece of history. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Mays on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 - 08:36 am:

Thanks for the good suggestion Jim---using a band instrument guy. I'll check on that. A buddy, that has since passed away, used to repair V-8 hubcaps, but I think this will be a bit more of a challenge. Also, Rodger, I'll check on the Gilbert metal Products too. Thanks all for the suggestions---I'll follow up. Also, Ross, they are all brass. The bucket and doors both have dings but the larger bucket part is in pretty good shape.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 - 08:54 am:

That headlight can be put back into shape fairly easy. It may not be perfect but will be real close to it.
Take the light apart as much as possible and slowly start to pull and straighten the metal and etc.

If you don't have any brass around to practice on get a tin can of similar thickness, bend it all up and see what you can do.

J. Patrick's got a good idea about taking it to a band instrument repair man.
That may be your best choice if you don't want to try it yourself.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 - 11:06 am:

What ever you do, don't even flex it, hammer it or bend it until it's been annealed. Cracks can about double the cost of repair. And it WILL crack if it's not annealed before handling.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 - 12:02 pm:

That will be a beautiful lantern once it is repaired and polished. What happened to it? Did it run into something? Unusual that the rim of the underlying lantern bucket is much worse than the door. Please let us know what you do and post after pictures of the repaired and polished lantern. Good luck. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Thursday, August 29, 2013 - 12:23 am:

See this posting on a similar problem:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/124016.html?1265138113


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