Refurbishing Lights?

SeaDweller · 04-09-2002, 10:07 AM

I'm getting ready to give my car to a body man for a strip and repaint, and I know the details are what will kill the overall look when it's completed.

My rear lights need to be refurbished, and while the painted part can be painted of course, what about the reflector portion? Can these be re-chromed, or do they sell that particular part separately?

I'm not going to worry about the marker lights, becuase they're being replaced with the Euro marker light covers!

Thanks!!

Jdub · 04-09-2002, 10:19 AM

I just went through a complete cleaning and check of the front signal and front "sidelight" (that is, US-spec.) and the rear assemblies as well.

If I understand correctly, you are asking if the reflective paint in the assembly can be redone? Yes, it can. Use the best chrome-type finish you can find that is not heat-sensitive (very little heat in there but...). You will have a tough time finding the inner reflective sections for the rear lights I am thinking...

For the lens covers, go with a McGuiars #7 followed by the plastic polish they make. By the way, you shouldn't need the #7 on any lens but the front signals. All others it is simply overkill. McGuiars plastic polish is very good for cleaning up the small scrapes.

Any more questions post me offline. I also have tons of information on whattheheck it is that Porsche used to seal the back tin can cover to the rear light assemblies (hint: it ain't Playdoh!).

John

SeaDweller · 04-09-2002, 12:41 PM

Thanks John....

I have new lenses, so I just need to refurbish the housing......

Will the "chrome-type" finish look like the factory finish on the reflector?

Thanks!

turbo dave · turbo dave's Garage

Is there a finish that can be used to re-coat the H1's headlights? Some of the chrome plating is flaking off on mine.

Thanks

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

I'm currently having my H1s refinished at the moment. There is no alternative but to have them re chromed. No such thing as "chrome paint".

I'll post pictures and opinions as soon as I get them back.

turbo dave · turbo dave's Garage

Thanks, John. Is re-chroming expensive? Do post pictures-love that blue (as does just about everybody else here).

Jdub · 04:08 PM

Sea:

I cannot recommend a particular brand of chrome "rattlecan" paint but folks speak pretty highly of Wurth products so I would start there. Or, go to your local auto store and have a look around. I would experiment a bit, but I do believe that the chrome paint I used to paint the reflectors was brighter than what was in there before. Of course this is after 20+ years on an SC so...but you get the idea.

What is imperative is to not rough up the area you will be painting, to make sure the ambient temp. is at least 60degrees, and finally to refrain from the lure of one heavy coat. Put on three very light coats at most.

I am interested in one thing when you perform this task and would appreciate it if you would post your results. When I pulled my rear assemblies, the gasket between the assembly and the lens seemed backward: most of the gasket hung towards the lens...the new gaskets I had purchased showed the gasket should go the other way around. Let me know if you find that the majority of the gasket material is concentrated towards the lens side, and not the assembly side.

EDIT: I am not being clear here: there is a groove in the gasket that clearly separates the gasket's one thick side from the other, thin side. I found the thin side/section was towards the assembly, not the lens. This is opposite of the way I understood it.

Thanks!
John

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Dave, I just got a phone call from the chromer to tell me that they're finished. I'll get them in about two days. The cost in Australian pesos was $85.

I'll post photos when I get them.

SeaDweller · 04-09-2002, 05:28 PM

Great, I'll be very interested so see/hear the results!!!!

Jdub, regarding the gaskets, I replaced my gaskets a while back when I installed new lenses. If I remember correctly, the split side of the gasket mates to the housing. The side that faces (and seals) the lens had a rounded rib that seals against the shallow groove in the back of the lens. Unfortunately, I don't think mine are in perfectly, as I wasn't able to remove the light assembly due to the speed nut spinning.

I was too lazy to press further, so I simply pulled the assembly out as far as I could and installed the gasket. To do it properly, I think it would be necessary to use gasket adhesive to attach the gasket to the housing.