Rear lens trim paint

[Cook&Dunning]

I found a really nice set of Bosch Euro rear tail light lenses for my 89 car. The only problem is the black trim paint is faded and has flaked off in spots. I am wondering what is the best way to remove the remaining black paint, prep and repaint. Also looking for recommendation on the best paint to use. These are nice, I want them to look original / new. Any advice appreciated. Thank you

[cmonref]

I soda blasted then painted with Testors Flat Black enamel paint. Be careful with the soda blasting -- it will leave a mottled surface if you stray. Mottling under the paint will not matter, but if you mottle the unpainted areas you will have to polish it out.

[Cook&Dunning]

thanks cmonref - I had thought about that Testers paint, too. Had not considered sand blast, but a close inspection does show the plastic is scuffed under original paint - i expect to get paint to adhere better. I appreciate the info

[wachuko]

I did something similar with my rear center reflector... I just used some black enamel paint... worked great.

[Cook&Dunning]

Thanks Wachuko - love your build thread on the SC - great stuff

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Cook&Dunning

Thanks Wachuko - love your build thread on the SC - great stuff

Thank you... SC to RSR is done... I just can't update the signature to show the new project. Everything now is focused on the SC -> NB RS transition.

This one:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-discussion-forum/707770-beginning-another-project-911-sc-nb-rs.html

The center reflector came out fine. So you should have no issues doing the same with the side tail lights.

[Cook&Dunning]

I think I just found my next task - rear reflector!

[cmonref]

Notice on Wachuko's rear reflector that it has large areas of the red that do not consistently reflect light. The coatings (paint?), from plastic as the base, are reflective silver, then flat gray. If the reflective silver is missing, it produces the dark areas shown in the picture. If those dark areas are objectionable, remove the three mounting plates (Wachuko's has two) being VERY careful with an Xacto knife inserted into the joining point. Soda blast the whole back surface. Mask off the PORSCHE letters and the mounting points for the three plates. Paint everything the most reflective silver you can find and then with flat gray. Remove the masking from the PORSCHE letters and paint them with flat black paint. Remove the masking from the mounting plate sites and reinstall the mounting plates with a high quality plastic glue (Testor's?) There is a thread in 911 Technical Forum that shows this process, with pix.

[Cook&Dunning]

cmonref - I remember that other thread, I recall that reflector was perfect - I agree will soda blast down to bare plastic. Thanks for the info

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by cmonref

Notice on Wachuko's rear reflector that it has large areas of the red that do not consistently reflect light. The coatings (paint?), from plastic as the base, are reflective silver, then flat gray. If the reflective silver is missing, it produces the dark areas shown in the picture. If those dark areas are objectionable, remove the three mounting plates (Wachuko's has two) being VERY careful with an Xacto knife inserted into the joining point. Soda blast the whole back surface. Mask off the PORSCHE letters and the mounting points for the three plates. Paint everything the most reflective silver you can find and then with flat gray. Remove the masking from the PORSCHE letters and paint them with flat black paint. Remove the masking from the mounting plate sites and reinstall the mounting plates with a high quality plastic glue (Testor's?) There is a thread in 911 Technical Forum that shows this process, with pix.

Correct... I did not use the correct reflective paint and the reason for the different shades. Now I get to do it all over. And yes, this car came in 20 boxes and a shell...missing one of the mounting tabs as well.

[962porsche]

when the reflectors are made they use a clear reflective coating and then gray is sprayed over it .
the gray stops light from passing thru the reflector .

when we restore them in my shop we 1st spray a light coating of plastic adhesion promoter down 1st . if you don't the new paint will delaminate with in 5 or 6 years .
we do not soda blast the reflector this gives a dull substrate and the light will not bounce/refract off the reflective paint and pass back thru the plastic as it will with a smooth substrate .
it will also give the plastic lens blotchy look once it's painted .

if your wondering how to strip the old paint off you use dot 3 brake fluid .
soak the parts in it and it will strip the finish right off . then just spray it with the water hose and wash it .
this give you a clean non blasted finish so the light will refract right back thru the lens .

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by 962porsche

...if your wondering how to strip the old paint off you use dot 3 brake fluid .
soak the parts in it and it will strip the finish right off . then just spray it with the water hose and wash it .
this give you a clean non blasted finish so the light will refract right back thru the lens .