Advice on Painting Tail Light Trim

[basstrix]

I picked up a pair of used '73 tail light assemblies and would like to paint the bright trim to match 71/72 style.

I'd like recommendations on how to prep the trim and what paint to use.

Thanks,

BT

 

[Don C]

I'm interested in this, too. The PO of my car blacked out all of the bright trim and it's flaking. They did scuff it fairly well, but didn't use a primer. My thoughts are to remove the paint, scuff them again, use self-etching primer, followed by paint.

Short of removing the chrome, it'll be interesting if anyone has a better idea.

 

[MikeGriese]

I picked up a pair of used '73 tail light assemblies and would like to paint the bright trim to match 71/72 style.

I'd like recommendations on how to prep the trim and what paint to use.

Thanks,

BT

My bodyshop did mine this morning. Here is what they do:

Get them as clean as possible first. Then tape them up. Use a masking tape for painting that will leave a crisp line when you remove the tape. Tweezers help with getting the tape laid down properly along the creases in the trim. Take your time.

Once taped, use a metal prep solution to do a final wipe. Don't use a lot or it might dissolve the adhesive along the edges of the tape.

Apply paint sparingly and in light coats. They used PPG dp-90 epoxy sealer and 1 coat of a low gloss clear. You can get these in a rattle can at a good auto paint supply house if you don't have a sprayer.

Remove the tape slowly to avoid chipping the paint off the trim.

 

[basstrix]

Those look great, Mike!

Do you know what was done to clean them before paint? I'm wondering if blasting with walnut shells would be a good/bad idea? I'm concerned there is a clear coat over the aluminum (I assume it's aluminum) and don't want to remove it from the portion to remain bright.

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

We made the aluminum grills and trim for Ford for many years. They just ran the parts through a several stage wash then did the anodize and then they had vacuum rubber paint masks that were put in place and then sprayed. There was no primer. The surface was just clean not scuffed in any way.

I saw Self Etching primer mentioned. I think that is for Ferrous metals only not aluminum. If you look at original parts the black out was not very good and not heavy at all. I am sure we used a lacquer paint back then in the 60's and 70's.

Good clean surface cleaned with metal prep should be good enough.

They sell the pre cut masks for Magnum 500 wheels but never seen for the tail lights.

They job they did for Mike looks great much better than Ford or the supplier did.

David

 

[MikeGriese]

Those look great, Mike!

Do you know what was done to clean them before paint? I'm wondering if blasting with walnut shells would be a good/bad idea? I'm concerned there is a clear coat over the aluminum (I assume it's aluminum) and don't want to remove it from the portion to remain bright.

The original metal was not clearcoated. Mine were cleaned with soap and water followed by a wipe with a metal prep solution. The solution removes oils and doesn't leave a residue. Then they were taped, followed by another wipe with the prep solution.

 

[luxstang]

My bodyshop did mine this morning. Here is what they do:

Get them as clean as possible first. Then tape them up. Use a masking tape for painting that will leave a crisp line when you remove the tape. Tweezers help with getting the tape laid down properly along the creases in the trim. Take your time.

Wow, the result looks stunning.

Only problem is that it takes some talent to mask those corners. I've never succeeded in taping anything other than a straight line and end up with something that looked halfway decent.

 

[eddyw]

Hi Mike,

::goodjob::

 

[c9zx]

Clean the parts with soap and water to remove any organic material, dry and clean with wax and grease remover and wipe dry. Then use this http://3mcollision.com/products/masking/fine-line-masking-tape/3m-vinyl-tape-471-plus-06404.html to do the detailed masking, it is pliable and will stretch a bit to go around the curves. Then use conventional masking tape to finish masking. I used a light coat of etching primer and top coated with Duplicolor semi-gloss black. Chuck

 

[basstrix]

Thanks to all for the great input!

 

[72HCODE]

same way i re-painted mine years ago, just masked up and shot with semi gloss black.

when i painted my magnum 500s i used a liquid mask and cut out the areas that got painted.