Headlight Actuator Color
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: North Ga
Headlight Actuator Color
Planning to rebuild my headlight actuators. Would like to paint them, what color would be close to the original? Also need recommendation on vendor/supplier.
Thanks
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Cad plated
That orginal "goldish" color is cad plating. They, like some other bits (brake master cylinder cover, for example) were cad plated originally.
Most restoration shops can do this for you. Or some resto supply catalogs sell a multi-step paint process that results in a similar color/appearance.
If all that's too much hassle, probably the best single step paint would be some sort of light gold color in a satin finish.
Most restoration shops can do this for you. Or some resto supply catalogs sell a multi-step paint process that results in a similar color/appearance.
If all that's too much hassle, probably the best single step paint would be some sort of light gold color in a satin finish.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
They were plated originally as others have said.
If you're going to paint them.... use VERY thin coats. Silver first, then some gold, dusted on, then some copper in some areas, some orange in some areas, finally a very light dusting of blue in 1 or 2 areas. All the coats except the silver should be so light that you can see the other tones through the color you're putting on. This is a lot of trouble but makes the cans look pretty realistic.
Regards,
Alan
If you're going to paint them.... use VERY thin coats. Silver first, then some gold, dusted on, then some copper in some areas, some orange in some areas, finally a very light dusting of blue in 1 or 2 areas. All the coats except the silver should be so light that you can see the other tones through the color you're putting on. This is a lot of trouble but makes the cans look pretty realistic.
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
They were plated originally as others have said.
If you're going to paint them.... use VERY thin coats. Silver first, then some gold, dusted on, then some copper in some areas, some orange in some areas, finally a very light dusting of blue in 1 or 2 areas. All the coats except the silver should be so light that you can see the other tones through the color you're putting on. This is a lot of trouble but makes the cans look pretty realistic.
Regards,
Alan
If you're going to paint them.... use VERY thin coats. Silver first, then some gold, dusted on, then some copper in some areas, some orange in some areas, finally a very light dusting of blue in 1 or 2 areas. All the coats except the silver should be so light that you can see the other tones through the color you're putting on. This is a lot of trouble but makes the cans look pretty realistic.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a shot of the factory coating. I couldn't get the old ones nice enough, so I bought new.
