Tail light freshening
Moderators: GRNSHRK, ron, bfons
Tail light freshening
When's the last time you looked at your tail lights? A tad dim? I did a really simple procedure this weekend with some "chrome bumper" spray paint--. Just pull the lenses and bulbs, do some quick clean up of the interior of the bulb surround housings, and mask the surrounding area and bulb contacts and give the chambers a quick shot with the paint. (hopefully these photos post, my first attempt at it!) REALLY makes a difference in the visibility of the lights!
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- Platinum Member
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Yes, old story to a common problem
Many of us who have had to remove the lenses for one reason or another, realized why their rear lighting was so friggin' dim, once the lenses were removed
But a simple blast of "chrome paint" out of a rattle can is all it takes
Here's a couple of shots when we refinished the reflectors on a friend's M6
But a simple blast of "chrome paint" out of a rattle can is all it takes
Here's a couple of shots when we refinished the reflectors on a friend's M6
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Last edited by GRNSHRK on Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
- nick88highline
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-me too in other lights, gotta do the 6er ones yet.nick88highline wrote:I used aluminium stick-on tape which is very shiny and makes a big difference to the light output.
BTW if the Al tape surface dulls, you can polish it if you like...
cheers
~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- World-Class6
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I've sprayed chrome paint on both of my 6er reflectors and certainly improved lighting output~ If you have any before & after pics using aluminium stick-on tape would be appreciated. I get the feeling it works a bit better than chrome spray paintnick88highline wrote:I used aluminium stick-on tape which is very shiny and makes a big difference to the light output.
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95 MBZ E36 AMG Coupe widebody Polar White
88 BMW E28 535is White
2000 Jaguar XJR Anthracite
2016 GMC Sierra Double Cab SLT- All Terrain Black
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- MisterFixit
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- Location: USA, Colorado, Golden
common problem - SALE PRICES THRU JULY 4
How about the modifications to double tail and double brake bulbs, using high output lamps? I have two more sets in the works, happy to help out anyone else who wants to really increase their rear light output.GRNSHRK wrote:Many of us who have had to remove the lenses for one reason or another, realized why their rear lighting was so friggin' dim, once the lenses were removed
But a simple blast of "chrome paint" out of a rattle can is all it takes
Here's a couple of shots when we refinished the reflectors on a friend's M6
After re-spraying the silver in their reflectors ... yes, you can do this yourself, with a little prep and a clean work area ... you get a HUGE increase in light output!
You can lower the costs of this performance increase by restoring the shiny silver youself, then consider the following two options:
Add high output bulbs, get 'better than new' lights.
Add another tail and another brake light bulb behind the lens, get more than double the output and reliably keep them off your tail.
I just got back from California, so I am ready to go back to work keeping these sharks out of the junk yards ... anybody in the mood for a sale price? Send me your reflectors, I'll add the wiring and sockets to convert to double tails + double brakes, plus install High Output bulbs in all tail and brake locations.
Getting back to work, helping you 'Be Seen, and Not Hurt"
"Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39 - front & back
Headlight and Tail Light upgrades for maximum visibility. Headlight protection to keep lights intact.
Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39 - front & back
Headlight and Tail Light upgrades for maximum visibility. Headlight protection to keep lights intact.
- Hefeweizen
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Here is a write up on adding another light bulb:
viewtopic.php?t=11559
viewtopic.php?t=11559
Rainer
03 330Xi (DD)
85 635CSi (RIP 3 May 19)
80 633CSi (Red Euro, Project)
"If you think a good European mechanic is expensive, try a bad one!"
03 330Xi (DD)
85 635CSi (RIP 3 May 19)
80 633CSi (Red Euro, Project)
"If you think a good European mechanic is expensive, try a bad one!"
- MisterFixit
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:07 pm
- Location: USA, Colorado, Golden
One Bulb, Two Functions
Good idea, since many folks do not pay attention to their driving, this is a good way to grab their attention.Hefeweizen wrote:Here is a write up on adding another light bulb:
viewtopic.php?t=11559
Great idea: adding both additional tail lights and brake lights. I do this using BMW parts from six series E24 lights, utilising the "extra" socket location and reflector that in the US gets nothing. Many overseas cars have a rear fog light there, which comes on with front fogs -- kind of 'tail lights on steroids' for low visibility weather (common in the UK).
After restoring (spray painting new silver) your reflectors, adding more bulbs increases the size, output, and reliability of your rear lights. Not bad for under $100 [priced a new tail light lens lately?] ?
LED in the works, BTW, in basic configuration of tails plus brakes; optional turns and reverse, after design is proved.
"Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39 - front & back
Headlight and Tail Light upgrades for maximum visibility. Headlight protection to keep lights intact.
Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39 - front & back
Headlight and Tail Light upgrades for maximum visibility. Headlight protection to keep lights intact.
- Hefeweizen
- Posts: 2324
- Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:24 pm
- Location: Colorado Springs
- Contact:
Re: One Bulb, Two Functions
Have you figured out how to put something in the top middle? I am always afraid I'd get stopped since the middle light seems to be "burned out"MisterFixit wrote:Good idea, since many folks do not pay attention to their driving, this is a good way to grab their attention.Hefeweizen wrote:Here is a write up on adding another light bulb:
viewtopic.php?t=11559
Great idea: adding both additional tail lights and brake lights. I do this using BMW parts from six series E24 lights, utilising the "extra" socket location and reflector that in the US gets nothing. Many overseas cars have a rear fog light there, which comes on with front fogs -- kind of 'tail lights on steroids' for low visibility weather (common in the UK).
After restoring (spray painting new silver) your reflectors, adding more bulbs increases the size, output, and reliability of your rear lights. Not bad for under $100 [priced a new tail light lens lately?] ?
LED in the works, BTW, in basic configuration of tails plus brakes; optional turns and reverse, after design is proved.
Rainer
03 330Xi (DD)
85 635CSi (RIP 3 May 19)
80 633CSi (Red Euro, Project)
"If you think a good European mechanic is expensive, try a bad one!"
03 330Xi (DD)
85 635CSi (RIP 3 May 19)
80 633CSi (Red Euro, Project)
"If you think a good European mechanic is expensive, try a bad one!"
- MisterFixit
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:07 pm
- Location: USA, Colorado, Golden
Re: One Bulb, Two Functions
Yes, that area is what I am calling the 'extra socket and reflector,' where no wires or bulb contacts were ever installed in US cars. I do my magic to install shell and base contacts, then modify them to accept a dual filament bulb. That's the way to get both tail AND brake in one reflector. It is above the stock tail, so increases the height of that, and across from the stock brake, so it double that function, with a smallish dark area between the two. It's dark because that's where the wiring connector is mounted inside the reflectors, but with an LED conversion it could feasibly ALL light up.Hefeweizen wrote:Have you figured out how to put something in the top middle? I am always afraid I'd get stopped since the middle light seems to be "burned out"MisterFixit wrote:... Great idea: adding both additional tail lights and brake lights. I do this using BMW parts from six series E24 lights, utilising the "extra" socket location and reflector ...Hefeweizen wrote:Here is a write up on adding another light bulb:
viewtopic.php?t=11559
"Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39 - front & back
Headlight and Tail Light upgrades for maximum visibility. Headlight protection to keep lights intact.
Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39 - front & back
Headlight and Tail Light upgrades for maximum visibility. Headlight protection to keep lights intact.
- shay_mcquaid
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- MisterFixit
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- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:07 pm
- Location: USA, Colorado, Golden
Lazy ain't so bad ... dim is worse
Thanks, and if you want to stay lazy and STILL get brighter tails, do the silver repaint yourself, then order a set of HO (high output) bulbs for them- all nickel base, of course- they are 1/3 brighter in brake, reverse, and turn, and 1.5 times brighter in tails. $40 for a set of eight, delivered.shay_mcquaid wrote:If I was just a tad lazier,I'd have you mod me a set.
Good service you offer imo.
It's why I call my back yard biz "Mo Brighta, Mo Betta."
"Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39 - front & back
Headlight and Tail Light upgrades for maximum visibility. Headlight protection to keep lights intact.
Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39 - front & back
Headlight and Tail Light upgrades for maximum visibility. Headlight protection to keep lights intact.
Tail light referb
Here ya go.
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W5Lh ... CT0042.JPG" height="480" width="640">
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gl0F ... CT0043.JPG" height="480" width="640">
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W5Lh ... CT0042.JPG" height="480" width="640">
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gl0F ... CT0043.JPG" height="480" width="640">
Jay
'88 M6, Red/Tan
My NEW Website https://www.jaysbmwparts.com/
'88 M6, Red/Tan
My NEW Website https://www.jaysbmwparts.com/
- nick88highline
- Posts: 348
- Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:31 am
- Location: Suffolk, UK
Aluminium tape version
And after using aluminium tape instead of paint:
<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8485/8227 ... 1198_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="XG4U7159">
Well worth doing and gives a very bright light.
<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8485/8227 ... 1198_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="XG4U7159">
Well worth doing and gives a very bright light.
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- MisterFixit
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- Location: USA, Colorado, Golden
Re: Tail light freshening
UPDATE on this subject - a new reflector surface restoration technique.
See here for the update post:
https://bigcoupe.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.p ... 9&start=38
See the entire topic from the start:
https://bigcoupe.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11559
Andy
See here for the update post:
https://bigcoupe.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.p ... 9&start=38
See the entire topic from the start:
https://bigcoupe.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11559
Andy
"Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39 - front & back
Headlight and Tail Light upgrades for maximum visibility. Headlight protection to keep lights intact.
Lighting Upgrades for 2002, E3, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39 - front & back
Headlight and Tail Light upgrades for maximum visibility. Headlight protection to keep lights intact.