Topic: Recycled Tail light: A Bright Idea?

[mark]

Some of this will probably look familiar to you....

The fender looks decent, the bracket looks okay, the tail light looks good.....


oops... not so fast there!


The reflector is rotten. Between the 1034 bulb and marginal charging system, the lights are dim enough already. This definitely does not help. We have a problem here.

Solutions? NOS or repro taillight? This one looks fine, except for the scuzzy reflector. Did I mention I'm a cheap barsted?

Still with me?

Anyway, I was out at my friendly neighborhood boneyard the other day.... and... there it was.


An '88 Ford Ranger had bit the dust. How much is a busted headlight? Are you kidding? Take it.

Back to the shop with my prize.....

Cut the bulb holder part off the back and grind smooth. trace around the reflector with my trusty Sharpie.

(not shown - scrub the bulb socket out real good)

Cut along the line and grind the edge smooth. Grind some of the rust and loose chrome from the crusty reflector. Apply a generous bead of silicone to it.


Press the 'new' reflector into the silicone and allow to dry.



Voilá! Good as new!



Happy trails.

[kghost]

Very cool idea and nice work....

[TwoTired]

I like it!
The headlight was chromed plastic right?

Cheers,

[troppo]

now thats thinking outside the box....
LOVE IT
great way to keep the stock look without costing a mint
great work mate
cheers
troppo

[mark]

I like it!
The headlight was chromed plastic right?

Cheers,

Yep. Chrome plated plastic indeed. If it hasn't gone bad after 20 years on that little pickup, then it probably has a few years left. Thought it was worth a try anyway.

 

[TwoTired]

I like it!
The headlight was chromed plastic right?

Cheers,

Yep. Chrome plated plastic indeed. If it hasn't gone bad after 20 years on that little pickup, then it probably has a few years left. Thought it was worth a try anyway.

One thing I might add as a caution, the chrome on the plastic lasted 20 years because it was sealed away from the elements for most if its life.  Clearly the headlight breakage was a recent event.  I dare say that your existing reflector was rusted because the tail light seal had been compromised for a good long while.  Don't neglect to get that addressed if you expect long life out of your clever new reflector.

Cheers,

[Cvillechopper]

True improvisation is the best!  Good job.

[InaneCathode]

(to be technical it's actual aluminized plastic, but carry on  )

[mark]

As always, TT has hit the nail right on the head. I will definitely be replacing the broken lens before the completed assembly goes back on the bike.


Happy trails.


BTW: I also picked up a h/l from a '90s Dodge - I think that one was aluminized plastic. The plating scratched very easily and wiped away completely when I tried to wipe off some Sharpie with a bit of solvent. oops. The Ford plating is a heckuva lot tougher.

[dustyc]

Bravo!  I don't like the new mentality of replacing everything rather than fixing it.  You saved alot of stuff from going into a landfill and saved yourself some money, time(sifting through ads to find another one, waiting to have it shipped), and energy(mental energy of keeping track of the package and dealing with any problems getting it as well as actual energy in the form of UPS trucks rolling, which eases traffic and potential accidents, thus keeping insurance rates down -you freakin' saved the world if I keep on going). 

I applaud your resourcefulness!

[Gregorymoto]

Nice man, good work.

[crazypj]

(to be technical it's actual aluminized plastic, but carry on  )

 LOL 
 good to be technical sometimes
PJ