Paint Tail Light Internals?

[speed1972]

So I just bought a set of LX replacement lenses for a set of LX tails I picked up recently. The problem is when I took them apart, there was a large amount of caked on dirt inside, apparently from dirty water sitting in the lights. I've tried to get the dirt off but the silver is stained and doesn't shine quite as good on half of the light. Should I go with it as is or repaint it? And if I should repaint, what color/brand should I use?

thanks,
LB

 

[Blandnuts]

I painted mine black and used a simi gloss. I can't remember the paint I used but it was nothing special and it's going strong for the past 5 years .

 

[speed1972]

does it still reflect light very well going from silver to black on the reflector or did you paint something diff?

 

[Mustang5L5]

I did some taillights of mine not too long ago. I'll see if i can find the thread later on and post it up. Big difference in light output. I'll chime back in later

 

[Blandnuts]

I was thinking of something different...I blame school.


can you post a pic?

 

[Mustang5L5]

This thread should help

http://gt500.drive9.com/~snforums/showthread.php?t=632177&highlight=taillights

 

[speed1972]

Very nice. I will definitely be going this route. Guess I'll stop by NAPA tomorrow and pick up some chrome paint....

thanks for the help!!

LB

 

[5.0_Junkie]

I painted my internals with a Silver Metallic plastic paint that I got at the hardware store. Might of been rustolium brand. Worked very nice and the light output was much brighter than stock.

 

[Flavadave4]

I used Duplicolor chrome bumper paint and it worked awesome, made the lights look like new again....and like mentiond above the light out put was much greater!

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

That is awesome, that is what I will do with my 87-93 Tails I am putting into my 81 soon....(soon being over the winter...hehe)

 

[Mustang5L5]

I think with the age these cars are getting at, everyone should consider this.

I've seen tons of Mustangs on the road with dim taillights

 

[BK_CAULEY]

use mag wheel cleaner. its basically a bunch of acids but i bet you money it will clean the stained parts of it.

 

[Mustang5L5]

It's not really a stain. It's the original chrome paint just being burned off from years of the hot light bulb being on. My taillights were basically rough gray plastic and no paint at all

 

[speed1972]

It never even crossed my mind until I took it apart yesterday..... guess I should have thought of it earlier. I got one painted today; definitely a huge difference from the old color. I was hoping to get both done today but I had to make a trip across town to pick up some paint for my 06. I got some new louvers and a wing I'm working on at the same time. Too many projects going at once Hopefully I'll be finished tomorrow and can get the new lights put in to see the difference.

 

[Darkwriter77]

Used the Duplicolor bumper chrome spray on my lens housings last year, as well, when I replaced both lenses. Made a HUGE difference in light output, since mine had been leaking and eating away the reflective coating on the inside of the housings, also.

 

[PeteyAce]

imo clean it off quick and good with some rubbing alcohol and dry it and spray on some good chromoe paint. you wont need clear coat though