Drtymike
03-05-2011, 10:10 PM
Hello, I would like to share a easy do it your self taillight resto that I did to the 93 Cobra clone I am putting together. This is super easy and it really freshens up the back of your car. The taillights, reverse lights and blinkers also look brighter and more vivid when you are done. Here we go:
First pull your old taillight lenses away off the taillight housing. (This is easier if the taillights are still bolted to the car) If you plan on reusing your lenses pull with caution, they can crack easily. As you can see there is 18 yrs of dirt built up inside, which is one reason these lights look dim and dull when they are on. Unbolt the housings from the car. Using a small flathead screwdriver scrape all the old butal tape out of the groove and remove the six lens clips, them give them a good bath.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/drtymike/IMAG0001.jpg
After the bath, and the taillights are completely dry, its time to paint the outer housing and lower inner rectangle section. This can be done with any satin black trim paint in a spray can, I however used black basecoat with a satin clear. Both result in about the same finished look, the later will last a lifetime though. Feel free to paint your housing any color you want, but the inner rectangle section needs to be black since this is not a lighted section of the lights.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/drtymike/IMAG0004.jpg
After that paint is completely dry, (be patient, tape will print fresh paint) mask off everything you just painted, leaving the silver portions of the housing exposed. Then get a can of duplicolor chrome spray paint from your favorite auto store. This chrome will not look like chrome but it will provide you with a super reflective finish.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/drtymike/IMAG0006.jpg
Now if you are reusing your taillight lenses, wash them inside and out. Rub the outsides with some compound or polish if needed. I decided to go with Cobra lenses. New or used, either way it is a good idea to get a taillight lens install kit, its around $20 but you will need new butal tape to seal these up, and the kit comes with new clips. Lay down the butal tape, snap on the new clips and press your taillight lenses onto the housing.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/drtymike/IMAG0013.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/drtymike/IMAG00191-1.jpg
Notice how clear the lenses look. This will look even better at night with the lights on. Bolt your housings back in to your car. This is a good time to replace any burnt out bulbs. The only thing to do now is wait till it gets dark so you can stare at your tailights in the driveway, :lol1:. Enjoy.
First pull your old taillight lenses away off the taillight housing. (This is easier if the taillights are still bolted to the car) If you plan on reusing your lenses pull with caution, they can crack easily. As you can see there is 18 yrs of dirt built up inside, which is one reason these lights look dim and dull when they are on. Unbolt the housings from the car. Using a small flathead screwdriver scrape all the old butal tape out of the groove and remove the six lens clips, them give them a good bath.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/drtymike/IMAG0001.jpg
After the bath, and the taillights are completely dry, its time to paint the outer housing and lower inner rectangle section. This can be done with any satin black trim paint in a spray can, I however used black basecoat with a satin clear. Both result in about the same finished look, the later will last a lifetime though. Feel free to paint your housing any color you want, but the inner rectangle section needs to be black since this is not a lighted section of the lights.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/drtymike/IMAG0004.jpg
After that paint is completely dry, (be patient, tape will print fresh paint) mask off everything you just painted, leaving the silver portions of the housing exposed. Then get a can of duplicolor chrome spray paint from your favorite auto store. This chrome will not look like chrome but it will provide you with a super reflective finish.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/drtymike/IMAG0006.jpg
Now if you are reusing your taillight lenses, wash them inside and out. Rub the outsides with some compound or polish if needed. I decided to go with Cobra lenses. New or used, either way it is a good idea to get a taillight lens install kit, its around $20 but you will need new butal tape to seal these up, and the kit comes with new clips. Lay down the butal tape, snap on the new clips and press your taillight lenses onto the housing.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/drtymike/IMAG0013.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/drtymike/IMAG00191-1.jpg
Notice how clear the lenses look. This will look even better at night with the lights on. Bolt your housings back in to your car. This is a good time to replace any burnt out bulbs. The only thing to do now is wait till it gets dark so you can stare at your tailights in the driveway, :lol1:. Enjoy.