Tail Lamps color

[Mr. Pink]

On the 85.5 & 86 tail lamps, please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm thinking that the strips on the lens and center section are gray correct? What about the actual housing too? Is this gray or black?


I'm polishing/painting my lens and I want to make sure I'm doing it correctly. Since I had my trim changed from '84 Black to the later gray I'm going to re-do the tail lens so they match. Thanks!

J

[David Riedle]

Tail lamp color

Mr. Pink:

My tail lamps are original, and they do indeed have a grey center, and grey stripes. Please note that one of the stripes does not pass through the side reflector. If you would like dimensions, I would be more than happy to take photographs, and measurements for you.

Also, my housings are textured black plastic, not grey, and those are also original.


Dave Riedle

[Mr. Pink]

Dave;
Thanks for the reply. I won't be needing the deminsions on the strips as I am repainting the black ones on mine.

Jason

[Otto Man]

Jason
The look is more of a dark gray, almost black. My lenses are near mint.
Come on over any afternoon and inspect mine if you want!
Chris

[Otto Man]

Update

Jason,
I just got home and looked at em real close.
My left lense stripes, the newer one, is gray like your spoiler, but the plastic separation is pretty close to black, maybe dark charcoal. My right side stripes, maybe 10 years old, are much darker, but the plastic separation has slightly faded to match the stripes on the left side.
I've attached a pic of the right corner. When my battery recharges I'll take a shot of the left.
Chris

[Otto Man]

Charged

OK,
This is a nice shot of my left lense. You can see the stripes are lighter shade than black plastic.
And Jason, if you're really good, replicate the sloppy factory stripe over-lapping on the corners.
Chris

[Mr. Pink]

Thanks for the photos Chris.

Here is a comparison between the driver's side and pass. (Before&After)

[Otto Man]

They'll look sweeeeet once installed!
You gonna get one of those tent/canopy things? Otherwise I'll just pick one up at KMart. They can't cost too much.....admission.... 1 Sam Adams/hour to non-SVOCA

[Mr. Pink]

Originally posted by Chris Weber
You gonna get one of those tent/canopy things?

Still planning on it. I've looked a few over, just haven't found a size I like yet.

[stackz]

Thanks for the photos Chris.

Here is a comparison between the driver's side and pass. (Before&After)

ooo back to life! mr. pink, what color paint did you use when you redid your stripes on the tail lights??

I'm getting ready to dive into mine and want the correct color if possible. Did you use brush application or did you mask off the lense area with tape and spray on the coloring??

I'm assuming the correct finish is a flat or semi-flat from what I've read in other threads and seen on my tails.

how did you guys polish your lenses without messing up the striping?? Or did you just polish away and then redo the stripes later on?? oh and what did you use to polish them?

would it be easier to just go get a standard set of 84-86 lenses, polish them up nice and pretty, and then just duplicate the striping onto them so I dont accidently mess up my svo tails??

[SVOBart]

Here are the part #s for the 85-86 grey trim paint:

SEM dark charcoal #39153
Marhyde 3821
Duplicolor dark charcoal bumper paint #FB-109

I got that information from 4 Eyed Pride. I never really paid any attention to it before but ALL 85-86 Mustangs used the grey trim.

I imagine the SEM probably looks best but is difficult to find locally and is probably pricey. I've got a can of the Duplicolor stuff that I've used to repaint my rear view mirrors, dew wipes, etc., with and it looks pretty good. It is readily available at most auto parts stores and is fairly inexpensive.

I think your last idea is probably the best. I'm not so confident in my ability to keep the lines straight should I polish any of them off and I end up having to repaint them.

[Mr. Pink]

Ok...I used SEM 15303 (Graphite) since this was the same color used on my moldings when the car was repainted.

I polished my original lens being careful not to fully remove the original stripping. I used the original lines as my guide for masking. I used "Blue" painters tape to mask everything off. I would recommend spraying vice any type of brush on application. The results will be much better. Have a good X-acto knife handy too!

As for polishing, any good plastic polish will work. I also used a sandpaper system available at most "good" hobby stores. This kit is designed for modelers to polish clear plastic in order to replicate glass.

[Erics SVO]

Novus #2 works good to brighten up the plastic. Used it for years on the Harley windshield tail-light and a couple of times on the '92.