[Shiny]

How have you refinished tail light reflectors?

Is a "chrome" spray paint good enough or does it need the gloss base/chrome thing? How well does either hold up?

[dataway]

I ended up just using the closest to chrome look spray can I could find (which I don't remember). None of them have seen enough exposure to comment on longevity.

I basically just got tired of looking for the perfect solution

[Scarebird]

From a decade old post:

Originally Posted by Scarebird

Testing an idea I read about; left side tail light has white painted reflector, other side stock silver - not much difference I can see

[mrennie]

Originally Posted by dataway

I ended up just using the closest to chrome look spray can I could find (which I don't remember).

I did the same, came out great.

[misterp266]

I’m with Scarebird. I use rustoleum flat white. (metal housings)

[VCho455]

If you're looking to maximize light output you can use HVAC duct sealing tape. The aluminum backed style linked. For maximum output retrofit mirrored reflectors out of late model taillights. I did this on my Suburban and pretty much doubled the light output of my backup lights1

https://www.oneida-air.com/ductwork/...3f2olXZSV3iOIc

[Shiny]

Thanks to all for sharing their experience.

I conclude the difference between white/silver/"chrome" paints and a "true" metallic reflecting surface may be real but all are likely "good enough" for me.

....something about engineers creating problems when none exist?? APS (analysis paralysis syndrome) ???

The bigger challenge may actually be prepping the insides to give any coating a chance to adhere.

Mike

[Held for Ransom]

I wonder if anyone has tried to vinyl wrap it in chrome?

[mrennie]

Originally Posted by Shiny

The bigger challenge may actually be prepping the insides to give any coating a chance to adhere.

I washed mine really well with soap and water and a fine scotchbrite to remove anything loose and create some tooth, then wiped with water based wax and grease remover prior to masking and painting.

[242177P]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

I wonder if anyone has tried to vinyl wrap it in chrome?

I wouldn't expect vinyl to do so good on account
of heat. And I expect it'll kinda act as an insulator,
further exasperating things.

[Storm1]

I'll eventually end up doing the same thing I did with my Buick

1. Remove
2. Media blast
3. Used off the shelf chrome spray.

[Storm1]

This is what i did for my Buick and they turned out good enough.

Removed tail lights
(lightly) media blasted
Painted with rattle can chrome off the shelf

[Shiny]

I tried using the Spaz Stix system that worked well on my dash bezel.

It wasn't a total disaster, but I could choose to call it that.

The idea is to get a gloss black undercoat, then spray the thin metallic layer on top.

The gloss black fought back. I first scotchbrited it all, then wiped it down with wax remover. The Spaz Stix gloss black would not wet out evenly. So I removed it all with lacquer thinner and tried again with a Rustoleum gloss black.

Same behavior. For some reason, neither enamel wanted to wet. It looked rough... maybe something to do with the residual aluminum being spotty? I got a few runs from trying too hard to get it to level.

I didn't try again, left the runs, and just did the chrome spray on top of the not so perfect black.

Not my best work. Not anyone's best work. But it will probably reflect just fine.

White or chrome paint would have been easier, even if it didn't wet out any better. Maybe a plastic adhesion promoter or epoxy primer would have been worth the effort?



Mike