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Signs and symptoms of aging red tail light lenses?

Dibbons

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The tail lights for my 1972 Satellite Sebring Plus project car shed different light when comparing the driver's and passenger's side. Let me state that I changed over to a 1971 bumper/tail lights, so I guess I should have said "1971" Satellite. The driver's side is obviously brighter than the passenger side and I wonder why? It seems the lens on the passenger side is a little darker, more opaque, less clear. Hardly noticeable during the day, but significant difference at night.

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My first guess is that the "less bright" tail light bulb socket has a ground issue. I added extra grounds to my '70 tail lights and they got about 30% brighter with no other change.
 
I think it is the lens itself, not the bulbs, but I will keep the ground/bulb factor in mind. The fotos show the difference, although it seems less subtle in person.
 
The tail lights for my 1972 Satellite Sebring Plus project car shed different light when comparing the driver's and passenger's side. Let me state that I changed over to a 1971 bumper/tail lights, so I guess I should have said "1971" Satellite. The driver's side is obviously brighter than the passenger side and I wonder why? It seems the lens on the passenger side is a little darker, more opaque, less clear. Hardly noticeable during the day, but significant difference at night.

View attachment 451417 View attachment 451479
You got it all wrong and your make and model of car is not the only one. The left will always look brighter, the right one not so much so due to wire resistance and power drawn from the wire by the the bulb that's lit first. The next bulb down the wire gets slightly less voltage especially brake lights. It's just more noticeable as the lenses start to oxidize. This is a truism of Chevys, Fords and many other cars and trucks using 1157 bulbs. Swap in LED's and both become equal in intensity. Backups can exibit the same symptom.
 
You got it all wrong and your make and model of car is not the only one. The left will always look brighter, the right one not so much so due to wire resistance and power drawn from the wire by the the bulb that's lit first. The next bulb down the wire gets slightly less voltage especially brake lights. It's just more noticeable as the lenses start to oxidize. This is a truism of Chevys, Fords and many other cars and trucks using 1157 bulbs. Swap in LED's and both become equal in intensity. Backups can exibit the same symptom.
And, Grounds, lots of them....
 
Are those lenses the same? If so, swap sides and see if you notice a difference. Doesn't cost anything but your time.
 
I could switch 'em. The bumper is tweaked on the driver's side, and there the lens there is almost touching the chrome. Don't know if that will cause problems removing/replacing.
 
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