Happy Easter and welcome to Packard Motor Car Information! If you're new here, please register for a free account.  
Login
Username:

Password:

Remember me



Lost Password?

Register now!
FAQ's
Main Menu
Recent Forum Topics
Who is Online
121 user(s) are online (71 user(s) are browsing Forums)

Members: 0
Guests: 121

more...
Helping out...
PackardInfo is a free resource for Packard Owners that is completely supported by user donations. If you can help out, that would be great!

Donate via PayPal
Video Content
Visit PackardInfo.com YouTube Playlist

Donate via PayPal



(1) 2 »

Tail light restoration?
#1
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk

Edgar
See User information
Ok, I’m looking at my taillights and see that the one I had replaced, about seven years ago, has faded to almost clear in spots. The other I’m assuming is original and still has a good red color, although slightly faded from age. The picture shows them side-by-side. I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to restore them. Had anyone ever had success spayin candy red clear inside them?!

The other set of taillights (pictured in their bezels)
Shows a series of spider cracks. I’m almost afraid to try and remove them for fear of them disintegrating
My question on these are is there a way to repair these types of lenses in the condition they’re in?

Attach file:



jpeg  FEC0A490-1FCA-4BD3-B995-0FB6C1B8E4DE.jpeg (479.31 KB)
858_6484b1e80dec1.jpeg 1440X1920 px

jpeg  3583019A-2C0F-462B-B075-3BF2EEBA8FA7.jpeg (267.29 KB)
858_6484b1f6786c2.jpeg 1440X1920 px

Posted on: 2023/6/10 12:25

keep 'em guessing with a smile...
 Top  Print 
 


Re: Tail light restoration?
#2
Home away from home
Home away from home

Bob J
See User information
As the lenses are moulded in a solid material and not just a top colour, I would suggest going to your favourite body shop where they can polish and clear coat to look like new. It is common practice on todays moulded headlights to get them back from yellow to crystal clear. Worth asking anyway since you have them off.
Bob J.

Posted on: 2023/6/10 13:14
 Top  Print 
 


Re: Tail light restoration?
#3
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk

Edgar
See User information
Thanks for the info Bob.

Posted on: 2023/6/10 13:32

keep 'em guessing with a smile...
 Top  Print 
 


Re: Tail light restoration?
#4
Home away from home
Home away from home

humanpotatohybrid
See User information
I have always wondered what would happen if you take some type of permanent red dye and pour that on, then after the dye has dried on spray them with clear coat.

Not saying this would work but I've always wondered if it would. Is there a tie-dye T-shirt place in your area?

Posted on: 2023/6/10 14:27
'55 400. Needs aesthetic parts put back on, and electrical system sorted.
'55 Clipper Deluxe. Engine is stuck-ish.
 Top  Print 
 


Re: Tail light restoration?
#5
Home away from home
Home away from home

bkazmer
See User information
You have two separate issues, the crazing and the color fade.

Reds are not terribly stable pigments, they were originally compounded into the acrylic as said above. The acrylic itself has yellowed, so color looks pale orange-pink. "Reredding" will have to be by applying a translucent red coating of some sort over the surface.

The material is different from modern headlamp lens, but the problem is similar. If the cracks and haze are not too deep, you can remove the outer layer with abrasives then repolish the surface. If the damage is deep, well....

Posted on: 2023/6/10 17:17
 Top  Print 
 


Re: Tail light restoration?
#6
Webmaster
Webmaster

BigKev
See User information
The reproduction ones are infinitely better plastics then the original ones. But you have to replace both or them won't match.

I replaced mine about 15 years ago and they still look like brand new.

Not cheap, but worth it.

The original ones fade, craze, and are brittle.

Posted on: 2023/6/10 20:27
-BigKev


1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan -> Registry | Project Blog

1937 Packard 115-C Convertible Coupe -> Registry | Project Blog
 Top  Print 
 


Re: Tail light restoration?
#7
Webmaster
Webmaster

BigKev
See User information
..

Attach file:



jpg  20230604_090316.jpg (202.91 KB)
1_64852d853bd70.jpg 1920X864 px

Posted on: 2023/6/10 21:12
-BigKev


1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan -> Registry | Project Blog

1937 Packard 115-C Convertible Coupe -> Registry | Project Blog
 Top  Print 
 


Re: Tail light restoration?
#8
Home away from home
Home away from home

Mike Chirco
See User information
Here is what your looking for. Just received our new batch of lenses.

Attach file:



jpeg  A820D561-3F59-419C-9561-5AF13C4DAA14.jpeg (329.49 KB)
1165_64852feacc855.jpeg 1920X1440 px

jpeg  9E837ED3-A19A-4D58-BA82-B22531DC80A7.jpeg (210.69 KB)
1165_648530457f0b4.jpeg 1920X1440 px

Posted on: 2023/6/10 21:22
 Top  Print 
 


Re: Tail light restoration?
#9
Home away from home
Home away from home

kevinpackard
See User information
I had no idea replacement lenses were being made. Those look really nice Mike.

-Kevin

Posted on: 2023/6/11 0:41
 Top  Print 
 


Re: Tail light restoration?
#10
Home away from home
Home away from home

Mike Chirco
See User information
Thanks Kevin, finally just received our shipment . We have been out of stock since the pandemic! We have plenty now.

Posted on: 2023/6/11 23:49
 Top  Print 
 




(1) 2 »




Search
Recent Photos
Photo of the Day
Recent Registry
Website Comments or Questions?? Click Here Copyright 2006-2024, PackardInfo.com All Rights Reserved