1970 914-6 headlight surrounds, color of surrounds Options

[flat4guy]

Just ordered a new set for my 914-6 as the PO had black ones on there.

[Shivers]

Clean and in the sun. 1972

[Mikey914]

Actually, they were white when they shipped from the factory. We actually did quite a bit of research on these before we made them. Thinking that they were an Ivory. I obtained several sets, and what was confusing was the fact that some were textured and some were smooth.

Here's what I found out -

1- Lots of folks have "restored these". The smooth was actually textured and someone had primered and painted them with an ivory white paint.

2-I got a NOS set and they were textured, also an ivory color.

It makes more sense that they all were textured, as the mold cost was quite a bit. Changing made no sense.

To make sure we got the correct color we actually sanded into the plastic (on the inside where it couldn't be seen). We found that the plastic was actually not an ivory, but a more true white. Over time and UV exposure it gets an ivory color. I suspect this is why factory changed from the white to the black.

Got everything you need to rebuild the assemblies right here -

https://914rubber.com/early-headlight-rebui...rrounds-for-914

As well as stand alone (just the surrounds) -
https://914rubber.com/headlight-surrounds-for-porsche-914

[ClayPerrine]

Actually, they were white when they shipped from the factory. We actually did quite a bit of research on these before we made them. Thinking that they were an Ivory. I obtained several sets, and what was confusing was the fact that some were textured and some were smooth.

Here's what I found out -

1- Lots of folks have "restored these". The smooth was actually textured and someone had primered and painted them with an ivory white paint.

2-I got a NOS set and they were textured, also an ivory color.

It makes more sense that they all were textured, as the mold cost was quite a bit. Changing made no sense.

To make sure we got the correct color we actually sanded into the plastic (on the inside where it couldn't be seen). We found that the plastic was actually not an ivory, but a more true white. Over time and UV exposure it gets an ivory color. I suspect this is why factory changed from the white to the black.

Got everything you need to rebuild the assemblies right here -

https://914rubber.com/early-headlight-rebui...rrounds-for-914

As well as stand alone (just the surrounds) -
https://914rubber.com/headlight-surrounds-for-porsche-914

Sometimes I think that one day we will be able to go to 914Rubber and order all of the parts to build a 914 from scratch. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

yup offwhite (if that is a color! LOL)

Looking for some assistance. My 1970 914-6 has black headlight surround covers. I am being told that they should be white in color. Being new to the 914 world can anyone confirm this. If this is true does anyone know the correct shade of white (code) Any photo's of a Six with the headlights up. My car is being painted and a good time to get things correct.
TIA
Bob

[flat4guy]

Clean and in the sun. 1972

What was your process? Going to try easy off this weekend for starters.

[flat4guy]

All 914s 4 & 6 had the white (off-white) headlight surrounds which were solid white colored plastic through-&-through up to the 73 MY, then they switched to the black (solid black plastic through) for 74 or 75-76 MYs.

The later replacement parts would've been black after the whites were gone, & that may be why GTs are seen with black surrounds, cuz I've seen pix of them with both white & some black surrounds.

If they are painted over black from white or visa versa, then the paint may be able to be stripped off without damage to the underlying color.

PS - Assuming yours are white underneath - try stripping the black paint on yours with mineral spirit of paint thinner carefully. Once stripped if they look yellowed or darker than when new (like the pix above), then you can soak them in chlorine bleach solution - or maybe oxi-clean bleach solution - to lighten them back to original, as folks have long done with them & other white plastic parts for resto's when yellowed or browned from age. I would NOT sand blast them, but soda blast may be okay, or it may eat into the surface a bit.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
thank you - trying this tomorrow.
Tom
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[Jett]

Clean and in the sun. 1972

What was your process? Going to try easy off this weekend for starters.

I cleaned several sets with soap and water and the submerged in a partial bleach bath for a week, but checked and cleaned them daily until they looked original again. Had to buy a cheap fish tank to hold the bleach water.

[DennisV]

I don't know if this will be of interest to anyone, but there must have been a few different vendors for these. After many hours of stripping with acetone and soaking in a bleach solution, there is where we are left. These are clearly different materials. The one on the right is semi-opaque. Neither has a Porsche part number on them. Neither has any texture. I am guessing they are old, but aftermarket. I thought I was restoring something original, but may end up painting them after all.

[porschetub]

I don't know if this will be of interest to anyone, but there must have been a few different vendors for these. After many hours of stripping with acetone and soaking in a bleach solution, there is where we are left. These are clearly different materials. The one on the right is semi-opaque. Neither has a Porsche part number on them. Neither has any texture. I am guessing they are old, but aftermarket. I thought I was restoring something original, but may end up painting them after all.

Dennis be carefully with acetone,used sparingly it fine but it can cause plastic to go brittle or melt.
IMO a good colour would be VW Alpine white code L90E ,a lacquer and you could get it mixed into a spray can ,seen it mixed and its bright white with yellow and black tinters should be spot on.
I would apply a primer suited for over plastic just to be correct for maximum adhesion.
See how you go,cheers.

[Mikey914]

The problem you run into "restoring " these is the texture. Acetone will remove some of the texture, and paint fills it in.
Yes the new ones are an off white, but you will never be able to make them look like new with correct finish.

That's why we made them

[Shivers]

Clean and in the sun. 1972

What was your process? Going to try easy off this weekend for starters.

Like others said it was a bleach / water bath for a week and simple green after. I didn’t
use anything abrasive.

[Mikey914]

That would be the best case scenario.
Still curious if there was any "whiter" plastic underneath.

We didn't realize the original color until we sanded on the inside. Removing a small amount of material. It was more dramatic than we thought it would be. It would tell you how effective your technique is.

[DennisV]

The problem you run into "restoring " these is the texture.

Since joining this thread, yes 2 years ago, I've been on the lookout for originals in good shape. My understanding is ones with Porsche part number raised inside qualify as original.

After looking at a ton of photos, I have a theory that the part numbers ending in .10 were smooth and white. The part numbers ending in .11 were textured and could be white or black. Has anyone seen something to the contrary?

Did your NOS textured ones part number end in .11 Mikey? If not, you can bust my theory. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[rgalla9146]

Great observation Denis.
Smooth .10 Textured .11
Only the forward facing surface has the texture.
The one on the left is very weathered. It's white.

[rgalla9146]

Only two colors right ?
What the heck is this thing ?
I suspect that later on this was offered as a universal 'paint to suit '

[davep]

Rory, that is a semi-translucent white? & smooth?

[rgalla9146]

Rory, that is a semi-translucent white? & smooth?

Yes, semi-translucent and smooth but yellowish.
I'll get back w part no.

[burton73]

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=269147

I cannot find it but somewhere, Eric had a posting on how to refinish them? This posting looks pretty good.

Best Bob B


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)