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Tail light restoration 1973 Charger

M

MorePower340

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Was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on restoring these rear lenses and housings from 73 Charger. This is one one my first projects. For instance, what sort of light solvents can be used to clean and prep, or only soap/water? What is used to rechrome the plastic…paint? Anyone successfully install LED bulbs during this sort of thing? Where can I find the rubber gaskets and plastic push pins for reinstall? Thanks in advance.

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The lenses are available new from may sources so I would not even mess with the old ones. The housings are the hard to find parts, and your look nice. Clean them up good, use a light argent paint on the outside like Krylon dull aluminum, and I like to use Krylon Premium metallic chrome for the reflective areas. LED lamps are readily available and work great. Use a red LED for brake and turn signals and white for backups. Also get a electronic flasher so the turn signals work properly.
 
I would not paint the exterior of the housing, I would use Eagle 1 mag wheel etching cleaner. Spray it on and brush it with a toothbrush and then rinse when you see it's clean.

If the lenses are good, I'd polish them with Novus plastic polish.
 
B E and A was selling those lenses cheap. Think they are all gone now though...
 
Nice post
QOTHL said:
I would not paint the exterior of the housing, I would use Eagle 1 mag wheel etching cleaner. Spray it on and brush it with a toothbrush and then rinse when you see it's clean.

If the lenses are good, I'd polish them with Novus plastic polish.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks. The lenses are not cracked or broken in any way, so I’ll go the polish route. I’d be surprised if the chrome is there. It seems to have been sun damaged. I’ll try the etching cleaner first, and revert to krylon paint, if needed. Does krylon require a primer on plastic? I’m supposing I need to make my own gasket? I have right side, so can flip it and make a left. What material is suggested? Also, the 6 plastic pushpins all destroyed taking this out. Where best to buy replacements? I figure these little things are used all over the vehicle and a likely not even MOPAR specific. Thanks!
 
QOTHL said:
I bought one of the last sets at least 5yrs ago.

Classic Industries has them for $189.
Click to expand...
He was still selling them on ebay about 3-4 months ago. I bought the last 2 sets of 72 RR park lamp lenses and a few sets of 71 RR taillight lenses at that time and thought about grabbing a set of these just to have..
 
QuickBpBp said:
He was still selling them on ebay about 3-4 months ago. I bought the last 2 sets of 72 RR park lamp lenses and a few sets of 71 RR taillight lenses at that time and thought about grabbing a set of these just to have..
Click to expand...


Give it a try, see what he has left.
 
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