Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Taillight Reflector, What do you use to restore?
Speedmster
post Apr 1 2014, 03:26 PM
Post #1


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 62
Joined: 19-September 07
From: Louisville, Ky
Member No.: 8,132
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
What is the best product to use to restore the taillight reflectors? Most of the chrome like finish has come off.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i9.photobucket.com-8132-1396387592.1.jpg)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
gifted914
post Apr 1 2014, 03:39 PM
Post #2


middleagecrisis
*

Group: Members
Posts: 30
Joined: 17-April 13
From: Australia / Brisbane
Member No.: 15,778
Region Association: Australia and New Zealand
Hi, Had same problem so I have tried chrome spray but will probably change bulbs to LED ones with inbuilt reflector.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
TheCabinetmaker
post Apr 1 2014, 05:01 PM
Post #3


I drive my car everyday
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 8,373
Joined: 8-May 03
From: Tulsa, Ok.
Member No.: 666
I've used the chrome paint with good results for a quick fix.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
jmmotorsports
post Apr 1 2014, 10:16 PM
Post #4


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 308
Joined: 15-August 06
From: Kelso,Wa.
Member No.: 6,658
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
eastwood has some rattle can paint that works pretty good

jerry
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
bluhun
post Apr 2 2014, 12:22 AM
Post #5


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 91
Joined: 23-January 06
From: San Rafael, CA
Member No.: 5,464
Region Association: Northern California
They can be re-chromed, but its expensive, like $175 each. See m&m metalizing
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
mepstein
post Apr 2 2014, 04:44 AM
Post #6


914-6 GT in waiting
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 20,587
Joined: 19-September 09
From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE
Member No.: 10,825
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
Get some new/used ones.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Mr Pharmacist
post Apr 2 2014, 06:10 AM
Post #7


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 69
Joined: 15-September 09
From: United Kingdom
Member No.: 10,807
Region Association: England
I used aluminium tape similar to this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-Aluminum...=item4ac3dca867

I found it more reflective than spray paint
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Speedmster
post Apr 2 2014, 10:19 AM
Post #8


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 62
Joined: 19-September 07
From: Louisville, Ky
Member No.: 8,132
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
QUOTE(gifted914 @ Apr 1 2014, 05:39 PM) *

Hi, Had same problem so I have tried chrome spray but will probably change bulbs to LED ones with inbuilt reflector.


We just got LED taillights from Spoke and have a set of taillight buckets setup just for the LED boards. We want to keep the original taillight assemblies with the OEM setup. Why? We want to be able to go stock quick if we want too.


QUOTE(bluhun @ Apr 2 2014, 02:22 AM) *

They can be re-chromed, but its expensive, like $175 each. See m&m metalizing


Ouch!!! Vacuum chrome metalizing looks awesome, but the price tag is pretty high. I'm going to look in our area and see if there are any companies near us that do it.



I looked at the Eastwood and Krylon products, but everywhere I look I see quite a few negative feedbacks.

User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
GeorgeRud
post Apr 2 2014, 11:42 AM
Post #9


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,725
Joined: 27-July 05
From: Chicagoland
Member No.: 4,482
Region Association: Upper MidWest
I found some chrome tape at a truck accessory site that I was able to cut and tape into the bucket. Seems to be OK, but I imagine that having it rechromed would be the best way. If there was a way to do this in a home environment, I think there would be plenty of call for this service as all these reflectors are showing their age. I wonder how they were originally finished.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Speedmster
post Apr 4 2014, 08:56 AM
Post #10


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 62
Joined: 19-September 07
From: Louisville, Ky
Member No.: 8,132
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
This is a little off topic, but is in the tail light area. As we have the tail light buckets out we see a few small rust spots behind the buckets on the body. (Who knew there would be rust on a 914, right?) Just surface rust. The paint is original. I thoughts are to clean off the surface rust it these spots with a primal tool, apply some POR15, and use touch up paint. Is this the same route you would take?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i9.photobucket.com-8132-1396623408.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i9.photobucket.com-8132-1396623408.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i9.photobucket.com-8132-1396623408.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i9.photobucket.com-8132-1396623409.4.jpg)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Speedmster
post Apr 4 2014, 08:58 AM
Post #11


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 62
Joined: 19-September 07
From: Louisville, Ky
Member No.: 8,132
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
QUOTE(GeorgeRud @ Apr 2 2014, 01:42 PM) *

I found some chrome tape at a truck accessory site that I was able to cut and tape into the bucket. Seems to be OK, but I imagine that having it rechromed would be the best way. If there was a way to do this in a home environment, I think there would be plenty of call for this service as all these reflectors are showing their age. I wonder how they were originally finished.



I too, we would like to know how they were originally manufactured from the factory.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Speedmster
post Apr 28 2014, 03:15 AM
Post #12


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 62
Joined: 19-September 07
From: Louisville, Ky
Member No.: 8,132
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
Well, I got some "chrome" rattle can from the auto parts store and refinished the reflectors. I think they turned out pretty good. Got them put back together today and back in the car.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i9.photobucket.com-8132-1398676557.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i9.photobucket.com-8132-1398676557.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i9.photobucket.com-8132-1398676557.3.jpg)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
mepstein
post Apr 28 2014, 04:20 AM
Post #13


914-6 GT in waiting
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 20,587
Joined: 19-September 09
From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE
Member No.: 10,825
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
Looks great
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
bandjoey
post Apr 28 2014, 07:16 AM
Post #14


bandjoey
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,935
Joined: 26-September 07
From: Bedford Tx
Member No.: 8,156
Region Association: Southwest Region
Now add the third brake light. I also used chrome spray paint and it works great.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
02loftsmoor
post Apr 28 2014, 08:38 AM
Post #15


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 577
Joined: 26-June 11
From: Ft. Worth TX
Member No.: 13,243
Region Association: Southwest Region
I've been looking at those Motorcycle, add on brake light, they strobe for a few seconds before coming on solid.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
bandjoey
post Apr 28 2014, 09:29 AM
Post #16


bandjoey
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,935
Joined: 26-September 07
From: Bedford Tx
Member No.: 8,156
Region Association: Southwest Region
Search here. Multiple threads on various set ups.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 2nd April 2026 - 11:55 AM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2026  IPS, Inc.
...
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...