Is solder strong enough to use on headlight housings?

[niSm095]

As the title says, does anyone have any experience with this? I have some things that need re-attached in the HID projectors I'm using. Will solder hold up under this heat?

[GSXRJJordan]

Solder can hold up, depending on what kind you use, but getting it to bond to what you have (sometimes metal to plastic, etc) is the bigger problem. Silver-bearing solder will probably be your best bet for something "structural".

I find that whenever I'm thinking about using solder for structural stuff, though, it's best to just go with JB Weld :)

[racepar1]

JB weld is waaaayyyyyy less hit or miss.

[niSm095]

touche. thanks guys, didn't think of that.

PS - I guess my title was a little misleading. It's not metal to plastic or anything, it's metal pieces on the HID projector housing

[mifesto]

i think u got the answer already but yeah solder isnt that strong. on nonelectrical things, i jury-rig fix cheaper jewelery and metal chains for my girlfriend but nothing that can stand abuse. none of my fixes have failed yet hehe.


anyhow i'm not sure if the HID's would even get that hot. one of a big advantage of HID's are less heat generation. if your HID's generate alot of heat maybe theres too much resistance somewhere

[niSm095]

well, just wanted to make sure. headlights are headlights though, and they do make heat, I didn't figure that HIDs put out less heat, but yeah. Thanks for the help.

[Anto]

what piece exactly?

I've used epoxy putty before, works pretty well if you roughen up both pieces prior to application.
Another thing that works well is GEL superglue and two part epoxy.
I use superglue to set the pieces, then cover it with epoxy. Sets nice and strong.

[S14DB]

Electrical solder will not hold up to vibration. Get some brazing rod.