Is this part originally chromed inside?

[yoseff]

This is from inside the headlamp where xenon bulb go inside.

[yoseff]

Now that i'm thinking better about it , i imagine it is originally painted black inside , as the light reflex from inside the tube could be difficult to control. Just did a light polish in the exterior of the tube for a better looking (Not mirror finish)

[MattBLancs]

I've had a similar "baffle" / shade?? out of a fog lamp assembly. That was made from aluminium and was unpainted, no attempt to polish or chrome it up from factory.

If it was me, I think I'd be trying to polish it , just because the thought of a bulb shining against a black / unreflective surface would niggle at me from an "efficiency" perspective. You are quite right in that light reflected back from a mirrored surface in here then reaching the main reflector might not be directed where it should go.

[yoseff]

I've had a similar "baffle" / shade?? out of a fog lamp assembly. That was made from aluminium and was unpainted, no attempt to polish or chrome it up from factory.

If it was me, I think I'd be trying to polish it , just because the thought of a bulb shining against a black / unreflective surface would niggle at me from an "efficiency" perspective. You are quite right in that light reflected back from a mirrored surface in here then reaching the main reflector might not be directed where it should go.

The light polishing i did in the outside , specially more pronounced in the front (as that will not pose reflective issues) , is really nice from a visual perspective. I'll try to capture a photo and i'll share here.
If the headlamps were easy to open and then close (seal) back , i'd give them a good clean and then there would be some areas that i'd paint black (Areas where chrome is not needed , for sure)