Tail light paint project

[Dave M]

Part One

So its a real live -30 winter in this part of Canada and the e34 sits in waiting. This has provided the opportunity to do some of the little jobs I've been putting off, such as an attempt to paint the amber portion of the tail lights a matching red. I found a transparent "Testors" paint at a local hobby shop and purchased a can of polyurethane clear coat to cover it up (the red seemed soft and susceptible to scratching quite easily). After cleaning well with alcohol and masking, a few healthy coats matched the rest of the light rather well. Interested to see how they look on the car. Sorry about the photos, not sure what happened, but it wasn’t good.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Body-Interior/Dec_17_2004002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Body-Interior/Dec_17_2004003.jpg


Part Two

After removing the tail light assembly from the car, I noticed that the plastic around the ‘socket’ that one of the bulb harnesses (black one, can’t recall whether it’s a brake or running light or what) fits into has been lightly burned (brown and cracked). I found an “Osram 67 12V 4pm” and a “GE 12V 6cp” installed. I have no clue what the “cp” is for and only understand (barely) wattage and volts. Assuming the wattage was too high, I replaced them with the auto parts store (and I believe Bentley’s) recommended 5 watt bulbs as shown below. Were the bulbs too great a wattage or is something else going on? Will these bulbs be OK? Would hate to have to buy new assemblies.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Misc/Dec_17_2004004.jpg

I've also removed door panels to attempt to repair the shrunken vinyl, removed the instrument cluster to replace bulbs and reduce the likelihood of moisture accumulating, and will remove seats to recondition etc., ect.

Thanks again,

[uberhahn]

the lights look great. I'll be curious to see what the actual "light" output looks like through the paint. Please post those when you have them.

My guess about the bulbs is what you have surmised: the bulb in there were too high in wattage. I'm sure the ones you got on the basis Bentley should be fine.

Do you think the paint will somehow react with the temperature in the assembly? I don't think you could generate enough heat to cause damage in the casing.

just my 1/2 a looney's worth ;)

uberhahn

[Mr Project]

Looks goïd! I assume you painted the outside of the light housing, right? I'll be curious as to how well it holds up....

[Dave M]

Updated this old thread for posteriors sake and for our new friend bad manners.

Before

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/5erbriggs10.jpg

After (home-job red tails on the saloon). Wish I had a better pick, but this is it for now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Misc/garage_8.jpg

Dave M

[JerseySi]

+1 for red tail lights :D

Did mine with an aerosol cellulose car touchup can - Rover Nightfire Red - matches quite nicely..
Mask off all but indicator lens, couple of light coats, and job's a good 'un!
They do flash red as opposed to orage, but I've not been pulled over in the 2+ years they've been on.. (UK based - we've never legally had red incators like you yanks)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/RoverDog/Beemer/June071.jpg

[bad_manners_god]

+1 for red tail lights :D

Did mine with an aerosol cellulose car touchup can - Rover Nightfire Red - matches quite nicely..
Mask off all but indicator lens, couple of light coats, and job's a good 'un!
They do flash red as opposed to orage, but I've not been pulled over in the 2+ years they've been on.. (UK based - we've never legally had red incators like you yanks)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/RoverDog/Beemer/June071.jpg

Can't see the pics at school, I'll check it out when I get home, thanks.

[CharlesAFerg]

I've got the hella smoked ones on now, and I saved my old ones to do just that :D

How do they look in the sun?

When I do mine I'll take my rotary polisher to it before i prep it for paint, the entire thing, not just the tops.
Then, I'll paint the red after prep.
After that, I'll clear coat the entire assembly.
Last, after it's installed and the paint has cured, I'll polish it again with my rotary, and put a coat of good poly sealant on it. Best looking tail lights you'll ever see.

I'm going to do that whole polishing process to my black ones when the rain slows and the weather gets warmer here in Oregon.

[632 Regal]

They can melt from the wrong wattage bulbs OR a bad contact at the socket. Had to lightly sandpaper mine and treat it with electronic conducting stuff (Stabilant 22) No tail light errors since.

[JerseySi]

I have no close-up pics of mine, but can get some if you wanted?

Prep-work - I knocked the shine off the indicator lens with wet 400 grit paper & washed with soapy water/rinsed clean (Have had issues in the past with 'inferior' Jap lights & chemicals - plastics reacted & cracked)
Masked it right to the edges of the indicator lens & blew 3 or 4 light coats over it - until there was a good even finish, but not too 'heavy'.
To be honest they were passable like that, but a quick buff up with some Autoglym cutting polish/super resin & they're about as smooth as the rest of the lens.
Dare say with some clear over the top of the whole thing they might look a little better, but not necessary IMO.

I did initially try spraying the whole cluster, as opposed to just the indicator, but they just looked wrong - looked painted, rather than plastic.

HTH