911R Tail lights (a tech writeup + BONUS)

[78SCRSMAN]

This has been quite a learning curve for me. I first ended up buying bases for an SWB car and the lights were the Amber/Clear and the single reds, not what I wanted. Now I have (in the original 911R style) the correct bases for my car (thanks TRE) and Amber/Red's and Red/Red's. As many of you know, the red/red lenses are not available that way so what to do???

After some research, I found you can paint the inside of the lenses using some transparent type paint. First I tried the Testors candy apple 1605 red. It did not work well at all and had to be removed.

While removing the Testors red I discovered that the Hella lenses are painted red on half the lens. I found this out when I was removing the red I had sprayed using Acetone. Acetone works very well by the way and does not harm the plastic although I wold not soak them in it.

After reading some other threads, I decided to give the Krylon Stained glass (available at Micheals in the stained glass section) red a try. WOW what a difference. The only trouble was it did not quite match the red that Hella used so I had to remove the red on the Amber/Red signal lenses and re-paint the red to match. When shining a light through the back of the lens the color is VERY close but in appearance, just not quite right.

Here is the procedure:

1. Remove the Hella red using Acetone on some paper towels. Q-tips work well to get in the crevices.
2. Buy some Krylon Stained glass RED spray paint. One can is plenty!
3. After taping off where needed, spray a couple VERY LIGHT coats ( I ended up with four coats total) of paint at the back of the lenses. Drying time should be at least 30 min. between coats! Trust me on this. I found that since the inside of the lenses have ridges, the paint tends to flow into the valleys between the ridges. To help prevent this, immediately after spraying each coat, turn the lens over (rite side up) for a bit. This will help the paint to flow to the tips of the ridges better.
4. You're done, enjoy!
5. Bonus at the end of this post!


Hella lens as it comes outa the box.




Hella lens after painting as above.




Hella lens having the original red paint being removed.




Hella lens after paint removal. Notice the lenses are Amber through and through!




Side by side comparison.




Paint I used.




BONUS:
After researching the Hella USA site, I found these lights are available here in the US. I did not know this when I purchased mine which, as you know are not cheap!
BTW, I measured mine and compared them to the ones on the Hella site... They are EXACTLY the same size!

Hella USA link: EDIT: The link takes you to a catalog... they are the 1259 series
Error

Available here:
Amazon.com: Hella 001259261 1259 Series Amber and Red Turn/Tail Lamp with Chrome Base: Automotive

And here if you need the Amber/Clear:
Hella - 001259061 - 1259 Turn/Side Marker Lamp - Truck Styling

There are others, just use the Hella PN in the search bar.
Also these all have the chrome trim ring which would have been nice. Perhaps I'll try that chrome spray paint stuff on mine.
My apologies to anyone trying to sell these for WAY too much!

[Wil Ferch]

Great write-up ! .... a collective thanks to you....

[chris_seven]

Guys,

I have a boxful of Red only lenses if you want any.

I also have a a boxful of clear lenses that would paint up.

Both of these lens types will fit the Amber/Red Base with the festoon type bulbs.



We have also made some stainless steel plates that take a conventional bulb holder as the festoon bulbs can be a real pain in the a**. We have two bulb holders, one with a single filament for indicator and one dual filament for stop and tail.

The polished stainless works as a reflector and give a good rear light output. It also pop rivetst to a lamp base after painting and has holes for the lens to screw down.

We made lamp housings with the base filled in so these plates pop rivet in after painting and bulbs can be changed without removing the housing from the bodyshell.




We also use the Orange/Amber light on later cars that have to have Rear Fog Lights to comply with DOT requirements.

We use the amber for indicator. A Red/Red for tail, and stop and the red section of the Amber/Red fitted with an LED Festoon for rear fog light.

There also seems to be a problem with the 'Chrome' base. I ordered lamps with Chrome bases from the European Catalogue last September and they all turned up without the chrome ring - which I why I have a boxful of spare lamps.

We bought clear lenses and have masked the inner portion painted the ring inside with Chrome spray paint and then coloured them red and amber so we have them with chrome rings.

[TRE Cup]

Chris is correct on the lack of chrome for the lenses. The description says chrome and the black/white drawings suggest that, in the catalogs , too. BUT Hella tells us that the "Chrome" refers to the bases (hah!)

Amazing price from the amazon seller ! looks like i will be selling bases only till their stock runs out :-(

[78SCRSMAN]

Originally Posted by chris_seven

We bought clear lenses and have masked the inner portion painted the ring inside with Chrome spray paint and then coloured them red and amber so we have them with chrome rings.

Can you post up a photo of those? That sounds interesting.

Originally Posted by TRE Cup

Amazing price from the amazon seller ! looks like i will be selling bases only till their stock runs out :-(

Sorry about that Dave, I am just trying to pass along some good info. Not trying to step on toes.
Your bases ARE the best!

[Joe Bob]

Has anyone done anything to replace the missing back up light?

I just ordered a load of white LEDs for another project and I'm thinking of doing something to let people know I'm in reverse.


BTW, anyone know the color code for the back light wire? My book is packed away.

[78SCRSMAN]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Has anyone done anything to replace the missing back up light?

I just ordered a load of white LEDs for another project and I'm thinking of doing something to let people know I'm in reverse.

I was thinking of using something like the bolts on this page which can be used to hold your license plate on:
Super Bright LEDs - LED Accessories & Motion Sensor Lights

Prolly won't help you see but might get someones attention... you could always make them flash too.

Not sure about the wire color. I haven't got that far yet.

[Joe Bob]

Gray Brown...found it.

[TRE Cup]

buy these from me

[Joe Bob]

Why didn't ya have those 4 years ago?

[TRE Cup]

It used to be real difficult before. Since then Hella has several distributors in the usa, and apparently these are being used in the manufacture of trailers and motorhomes here too. So for the time being there is a decent supply, but we sometimes have to wait for a container to come in . Hence my stocking up and whamo! some shop has them on amazon for less than i pay for them .

Mike- trade me something for a pair of lenses. They will fasten to the existing bases you bought from me years ago
thanks

[78SCRSMAN]

All done and ready for install:

EDIT: OOPS, I just realized I had those in backwards. You get the idea...

[Joe Bob]

Hmmm, I have mine full red inboard (running lights) and amber/red out board (blinker/stop).

Dunno why, it was what was suggested over four years ago.

I'm a little confused on the clear/amber. If I replace the full red.....then I have either a stop or running light that is amber.....not legal.

If I replace the amber/red with clear/amber.....then I need to convert the full red to a dual bulb base and move the brake over there with the running lights......



My head hurts....

[78SCRSMAN]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Hmmm, I have mine full red inboard (running lights) and amber/red out board (blinker/stop).

Yes, I goofed... set them in there wrong.

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

If I replace the amber/red with clear/amber.....then I need to convert the full red to a dual bulb base and move the brake over there with the running lights......

Bingo!
Although, I would suggest buying the corresponding lens for the Red/Red. There is a divider in the base that separates the bulbs and the lens fits better and will look proper. Just compare yours to the pictures above and you will see what I mean.

[Joe Bob]

What I NEED....is a double light base for the full red and a clear/amber lens.

Does the red come off easily and end up being clear with the Acetone?

[Joe Bob]

Further research shows that yellow is acceptable for back up lighting.

On the full red brake/running light. I'm gonna use my new bundle of LEDs and the existing base. Something to do......

[TimT]

I used LED lights that were for semi-truck clearance lights... mounted them with the push in rubber grommet, similar to the ones on this site..

Not concourse but work very will and are quite bright..

Just another alternative

I have seen these lights in clear also.... cant find them now..




you can see the rubber grommet in this progress photo...

[Joe Bob]

[78SCRSMAN]

Not sure exactly what I'm looking at there but are there 4 LED's or just two? If there are 4, are they all the same color (white)? Hard to tell in the photo. Nice idea BTW.

[Joe Bob]

4 LEDs per side. I had to take the pic on an angle. Straight on the LED light blinded the camera and all I got was a big bloom like a white chrysanthemum.