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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Paint Tail Light Internals?

  • Thread starter Thread starter speed1972
  • Start date Start date Sep 3, 2007
S

speed1972

Founding Member
Mar 13, 2002
891
0
16
Denver, CO - Buckley AFB
Sep 3, 2007
#1
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #1
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 don't swallow; I only swoosh
Founding Member
Aug 21, 2000
1,172
124
124
FloorDuh
Sep 3, 2007
#2
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #2
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 .
 
S

speed1972

Founding Member
Mar 13, 2002
891
0
16
Denver, CO - Buckley AFB
Sep 3, 2007
#3
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #3
does it still reflect light very well going from silver to black on the reflector or did you paint something diff?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Sep 3, 2007
#4
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #4
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 don't swallow; I only swoosh
Founding Member
Aug 21, 2000
1,172
124
124
FloorDuh
Sep 3, 2007
#5
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #5
I was thinking of something different...I blame school.


can you post a pic?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Sep 3, 2007
#6
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #6
This thread should help

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

speed1972

Founding Member
Mar 13, 2002
891
0
16
Denver, CO - Buckley AFB
Sep 3, 2007
#7
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #7
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

New Member
Nov 6, 2003
21
0
2
Speed Capital of the World, Indiana!
Sep 4, 2007
#8
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #8
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

Active Member
Nov 28, 2003
1,044
21
49
Utica, NY
Sep 4, 2007
#9
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #9
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

waiting for the next hack atta
Founding Member
Nov 22, 2001
3,501
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119
Motor City
Sep 4, 2007
#10
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #10
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

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Sep 4, 2007
#11
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #11
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

it's built for speed not longevity, woman
Dec 26, 2006
0
10
49
Thomasville, ga
Sep 4, 2007
#12
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #12
use mag wheel cleaner. its basically a bunch of acids but i bet you money it will clean the stained parts of it.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Sep 4, 2007
#13
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #13
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
 
S

speed1972

Founding Member
Mar 13, 2002
891
0
16
Denver, CO - Buckley AFB
Sep 4, 2007
#14
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #14
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

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Sep 4, 2007
#15
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #15
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

Member
Jul 2, 2004
346
0
17
Sep 4, 2007
#16
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #16
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
 
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