Sealed Beam vs. Upgraded Lens and Reflector Headlights

That's interesting... I wonder if the Australian supplier is the only one or if there is a US supplier? I would be interested in those bulbs for sure. Thanks for that!

 

Anyone used the Uvira Inc. system to recoat their reflectors? Apparently it's maintenance free gl*** over polished aluminum instead of silver, which I guess is a more modern approach, and there's no tarnishing to contend with... I'm going to call the guy and find out more about it. There is not, from what I can find, a plug and play aftermarket reflector for GM vehicles. Chevs of the 40's sells an aftermarket set but it says "NOT DESIGNED FOR ORIGINAL BUCKETS. MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED." No thanks.

 

Well, I kinda answered my own question. It looks like several guys have used the Uvira process with excellent results and 30+ years of maintenance free performance. Probably a much more cost effective method than silver considering the wear and oxidation for only a 5% loss in reflectivity. Gonna call them and get a quote for having it done to my reflectors.

 

I love me some '39 GMC's

 

So I spoke with Bill Atwood of Uvira this morning. Extremely nice guy and very much an old car/truck enthusiast. He said that the only thing he requires is that the reflectors be polished and nickel plated first. Once that's done, he said to ship them to him with a check for $75 in the box and that would get both reflectors coated with the aluminum/gl*** process and shipped back to me. He said it's the exact same process that is used on all the reflectors for new cars now. Said he tried to sell it to the big 3 in the 70's but they weren't interested then. Now it's the standard!

So, now I just have to find a plater locally to do the nickel.

 

Here's a questions... The bulb sockets on these reflectors are fixed to the reflectors. The main bulb socket being attached with three posts on springs and crimped in place. The pigtail itself is captive but the wiring is shot. The park lamp socket is captive as well but the pig tail will come out. Is there a source you guys are aware of for new contacts/pigtails for the stock sockets?

 

NAPA unless you are restoring it then you will need to go to a specialty distributer.

Carter's is also a good place to find what you want or need for you truck.

 

Old school Josh ....

 

my truck is a model 152. although it looks like I52

 

Cool! I like the 3/4 tons as well. Kind of a rare bird, but they made all they way up to a 1.5 ton conventional bed pickup. Had dual rear wheels ad extra wide fenders over 20" wheels on the large 5 lug pattern. I think they called it a "grain bed."

I think I'm gonna just cut the old sockets out and get one of the adapter kits to switch to halogen, and I'll have to cut the park lamp socket out as well because if I'm going to have blinkers and park lamps I need a double filament bulb which means bigger socket, right? Either way, I have to get the reflectors down to the basic so I can get them nickel plated. I had a local plater quote me $65 a piece for nickel plating. So, that works out to $205 for a maintenance free set of reflectors that reflect just as much light as modern headlamp reflectors do. Compare that to the cost of resilvering at about $350 a pair, and you have to regularly, properly,carefully, very delicately clean them, which removes material every time you do... I think the Uvira way is the best way to go.

 

I am running the "Brite Bulbs" from Ron Francis wire works, (800) 292-1940, wire-works.com, in my '32 Ford and they are definitely bright. They may be the same bulbs you need.

Charlie Stephens

 

are the sealed beam round lamps single 7 inch lamps? I guess your situation is whether you plan to drive at night a lot, if they are single round lamps, you can buy Hella conversion kits that bolt right in and take a modern bulb, it's a matter of looks over being able to see that deer in the road, they might look nice until said deer is attached to your front end and a hood ornament, also if you do upgrade, if you have original wiring,be sure to add a relay so you don't overload your switch or old wires.

 

Thanks for that info, Charlie. I looked at the website and it looks like they have everything I need to repair or replace my sockets/pig tails. I'm going to give them a call this morning and verify.

 

So I verified with Ron Francis and they do have all the stuff I need to replace the pig tails. The one thing I had to do because I want turn signals in the old park lamp position was to take the old sockets out and drill from 1/2" to 3/4" holes. Took them to another plater I found by chance later on this morning. He quoted $20 per reflector to repair some cracks in them, and then $35 a piece to nickel plate them, and it appears from what I can see of his shop that he does fantastic work and has a very loyal clientele... Lots of people stopping by dropping parts off that are repeat customers while I was there.

 

I have never heard of using nickel plate for reflectors, just silver or aluminum. If you go aluminum through UVIRA, (541) 474-5050, you will need to start with a nickel plate. The process used by UVIRA is expensive but probably the best.

Charlie Stephens

 

Actually that is the reason I'm having them nickel plated. I spoke with Mr. Atwood of Uvira yesterday morning and he told me to get the reflectors nickel plated and then send them to him. I actually think the price was very reasonable. He said that if I ship him the reflectors already plated that they can be coated with his aluminum/gl*** system for $75 including shipping. So, the way I see it, I'm spending $185 to get both reflectors completely refurbished and it'll be maintenance free. Resilvering, which requires regular and very careful maintenance to avoid tarnish and swirl marks, would have cost me at a minimum $175 per reflector plus shipping and any repairs that needed to be done to the units. If all this goes well, I'll be singing the praises of both the plater, as well as Mr. Atwood at Uvira.

 

I am 100% behind your decision to go to UVIRA. Having said that I think the estimate you have on silver is too high, probably a plater that has never done headlights (fear factor) and doesn't want to get involved.

Charlie Stephens

 

Well I finally got around to having my reflectors gl*** coated by UVIRA. Quick turn around time and they look brand spanky new. Now to look into the Ron Francis bulbs and get those ordered up!

 

Hi, I think we crossed paths at the old GMC website.
I bought a basket case 1939 GMC AC152 flatbed about two years ago.
I thought my grille shell was great turns out no. The truck had been in a wreck years ago and someone welded the rad support cross piece in the wrong spot and totally tweaked the entire shell.
I thought, no big problem, I'll just remove the rad support and replace.
Yeah, right!
About 30 spot welds later, I wish I'd never started.
I'm also missing about 5 grille bars. Good luck on that.
Your headlamp questions make me want to go out and see which ones I have.
I prefer the old style but at this point sealed beam is OK.
No engine, either.
Anyway, i'll be paying more attention now to see how you're progressing.
Thanks, Don