Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

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RossDinan6
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Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by RossDinan6 »

I thought I'd throw this up before trashing them.

I just replaced my lenses and frames. The ones I took off may help someone with really bad ones.

Both frames are corroded on the bottom. The right is better with only a small spot of lifted chrome with additional blisters. Left has about 2 or so inches of lifted chrome. (50 mm or so, to prove some Yanks can speak metric) The left lens is in good condition with some crazing, as would be expected. Right has the turn signal glued on due to the original joint failing. Gaskets are in pretty good condition.

Free to a good home, just pay shipping from FL.
Ross
'84 633 Dinan turbo
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hornhospital
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Re: Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by hornhospital »

I'll take em, Ross. Figure shipping to 36576 and I'll Paypal the money. I'll need your Paypal address.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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RossDinan6
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Re: Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by RossDinan6 »

Damn, that didn't take long. Give me a day or two, I have a busy week ahead of me.
Ross
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hornhospital
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Re: Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by hornhospital »

No rush. They'll be the subject of an experimental restoration. I image someone has tried what I'm considering, but I'd still like to try.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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RossDinan6
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Re: Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by RossDinan6 »

So are you looking at a Re chrome? Inquiring minds want to know.
Ross
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Ralph in Socal
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Re: Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by Ralph in Socal »

BMW had a core charge when the frames were available so it makes sense they’re somehow fixable. I’ve considered a bondo job and painting them black

They are a type of “pot metal”

Ralph
There is a very fine line between "Hobby" and Mental Illness.

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Re: Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by hornhospital »

I'm going the route Ralph suggested, but with a twist. Not paint, but chrome wrap after the bondo. I'm looking for a way that any of us can DIY restore what we have and end up with it looking factory. I think this is, outside of rusting wings, the single most common defect we encounter.
Ken Kanne
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Re: Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by Da_Hose »

There are modern products that spray on, and give a painted finish that looks like true chrome.

https://youtu.be/A6kypid0XG0

The simplest solution is to prep (I'm thinking glass bead blast) a frame, sand it, prime it, paint it gloss black, then hydro chrome it.

Jose
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Re: Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by anchored »

I went with bondo and gloss black.

it looks pretty nice.
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Re: Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by hornhospital »

Ross has a much different view of what "rough" means than I do. The lenses and frames arrived today, and compared to what I had, they are practically new. The restoration of the frames will be a LOT easier than I anticipated. THANK YOU, SIR! FIVE STARS, TWO THUMBS UP.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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RossDinan6
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Re: Tail light frames and lenses a bit rough but free

Post by RossDinan6 »

I'm happy you are pleased. I was a bit concerned since handling them, between removal and shipping, caused deterioration. The missing chrome and metal showed up after removal.
Ross
'84 633 Dinan turbo
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