Tail Light Reflectors

[Stan]

The reflectors inside my tail lights are reflectors in part description only.
Some are stained others rusty none would reflect worth a darn.

What is the consensus on the fix? :?

 

[Bill Riblett]

Renewing taillight reflectors

I masked mine and sprayed them with Eastwood's spray Reflective Paint. I don't see that in their current catalog, but they now have something called Almost Chrome, Catalog # 25292Z $10.99 each. I've used it on several cars and it has lasted a good 10 years.
www.Eastwood.com

 

[blumax]

Tailights--etc

The BLUMAX, BVCREME (my Bavaria), 2002 plus a number of other Coupes that have all been sorted by yours truly have responded to the following:

1) remove bulbs--assure all contacts and sockets work correctly--then using adhesive backed aluminum tape from the heating and A/C contractor--cut and fit same to all prior reflective surfaces--tape will handle about 450 degrees F

2) replace all with new German silver base bulbs of correct wattage

Results--BLUMAX has been so treated for 15 or so years and all lights are about 2 1/2-3 time their original illumination with no degradation--just uncover every few years and wipe clean--have shared this previously in response to questions of what or how to handle the problem.

 

[Stan]

Tail light

I have the aluminum tape, I found it in the HVAC section of Home Depot!
There are 4 surfaces inside the tail light. The one for the brake light is not smooth like the rest, it has ridges and more surface texture. Will the tape conform?

 

[HB Chris]

Reflectors

Stan, I used Murray's technique, works great, I polished them with brass wool first and then put on the tape. Scrub the lenses with a brush as well. Lights are now twice as bright as before.

 

[Stan]

Chris,
Even the backup light reflector? That one has a lot of uneven surfaces. Will the tape work?
Stan

 

[Stan]

Burnishing contacts

Since I have the tail lights apart, it would be good to clean or burnish the copper contact points.

Any tips on tools and technique?

 

[blumax]

ABC's to enhance your rear lights--including back-ups

The beauty of using the tape--it will conform to the many ridges and GREATLY improve all illumination over factory--much safer to protect your rear from in-attentive drivers--and with more light for back-up you are less likely to hit the trash can someone left on the driveway

1) simply press tape into ridges and creases using a popsickle stick to aid conforming to any/all surfaces

2) brighten the brass and copper parts with brobze wool--use the fine texture wool for this purpose--found here locally at Ace Hardware--check there are if near salt water boating country--check with marine supply store for the bronze wool

 

[steve in reno]

tail light relectors

The other tips are great.
I personally used a different tape.
There is muffler repair tape that is chrome, no problem with heat. 30' roll at pep boys was $2.99.
Brightened it up nicely!
steve

 

[Stan]

Why bronze wool versus steel wool???? :shock:

 

[blumax]

Why bronze--not Steel wool??

steel wool "droppings" or particles will find crevices, nooks, crannies, etc and when it receives ANY moisture will rust in place--thus disfiguring those spots--bronze wool will not--

Around these parts bronze wool is very popular with salt water sailors to brighten their stainless and brighwork for that reason--I discovered several years ago and have used it exclusively since in place of steel wool