Headlight retaining rings chrome or S/S?

[Ed]

I was looking at the rings that retain the headlights. Are these chrome or Stainless steel?

[sblake01]

Chrome according to the 1973 Datsun Comp catalog and it also says chrome in all the later Datsun Comp and Nissan/Datsun Comp catalogs. The catalogs that are named 'Nissan Motorsports Parts' do not show a picture nor do they specify chrome or s.s. I have seen them in stainless, however.

[MikeW]

Stephen: I think you're confused by the other thread discussing headlight covers, not the ring that retains the actual headlight. From what I can tell it's not actually stainless steel as it's magnetic. See attached picture of a magnet sticking to mine. I know this the hard way as I have a stainless steel refrigerator and the ubiquitous magnets don't stick to it.

[240ZX]

Mike,

It's a possibility that the ring may be made of SS. As an example...304 SS does have some magnetic properties, although not alot. One grade of SS (316L, used in medical tools and with alot of nickle content) has zero magntic properties because it has no carbon steel in it, as opposed to the 304 which has some. SS in the 400 series has even more carbon steel in it. And as one would suspect, the more carbon steel it has the more it will rust, although not as extreme as say A36 steel (very common structural steel). Anyway, I though this might help you all out. Just remember some grades of SS will rust and have magnetic properties.

[Bambikiller240]

I always thought they were some sort of stainless steel. Never tried the old magnet trick though.

[MikeW]

Mike,

It's a possibility that the ring may be made of SS. As an example...304 SS does have some magnetic properties, although not alot.

My little magnet sticks to the headlight rings with about the same amount of force as it sticks to the bumper, the body of the car, and a piece of steel sheet metal. Strangely enough, it also sticks very well to the trim around the windshield which I thought was stainless. It does not stick to my headlight buckets (mine are plastic) and it does not stick to my side mirrors which are chrome plated but must be nickel or brass.

[sblake01]

Stephen: I think you're confused by the other thread discussing headlight covers, not the ring that retains the actual headlight.

DOH! :stupid:

[Ed]

Yea Mike, you are right, I am inquiring about the retaining ring. I want to have them redone and I can't tell what it is. If it's stainless I could polish them up myself.

[Ed]

The headlight retaining rings are indeed stainless. I polished one up and it looks new. They are not pure stainless, thats why the magnet will stick to them. FYI.