What was the original color of the tailight housings?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SLS · 08-05-2004, 10:39 AM

I am working on my bed (71' SWB) and decided to detail the tailight housings (I guess that's what they are called?) because the were covered with funk and old primer when I got the bed.

Anyway, I have blasted and primed them...but what color are they supposed to be. White perhaps???

Thanks for any info.

SLS has attached this image:

highboy_04 · 08-05-2004, 10:53 AM

i believe they were just bare and had no coating. goodluck, steve

Lippyp · 08-05-2004, 11:06 AM

You may have grounding problems with them painted as don't the bulbs ground via the housing?

bobs409 · 08-05-2004, 12:00 PM

I'm planning on painting mine with Rustoleum Metallic silver after I get them sandblasted. That should give more reflection for a brighter light. Second choice would be white.

To ensure a good ground, use a tooth type washer on each bolt.

SLS · 08-05-2004, 01:32 PM

Thanks for the replies so far, guys.

I believe you may be on to something about the grounding situation, Lippyp.

Maybe I should make sure that I leave bare metal showing where they bolt/screw into the bed. I hate to just blast them back to bare metal and intall them as such......as I already have enough rust issues as it is. LOL! ;D

Davy · 08-05-2004, 02:54 PM

Mine look like they are galvanized steel ???

Longhorn Man · 08-05-2004, 03:13 PM

They are in fact galvanized steel, and will not rust. I have painted mine white and it helps a little on brightness...but not a whole lot. And sanding it to bare meatle where the two 5/16ths headed bolts go through is a must, and don't forget to tape off the actual bulb socket so you don't ruin the contacts.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 08-05-2004, 03:39 PM

I replaced both of my taillight lenses a while back and I saw that the housing was painted white, and the inside of the backup lamp housing was white, too.

SLS · 08-05-2004, 10:07 PM

Galvanized...didn't think of that. Maybe because they still had some surface rust on them. They are stamped "Guide-Made In Canada" so maybe are different?

Good advice on the sanding of the mounting surface and taping of the sockets...which I did after removing the wiring and before lightly blasting them. I also used a wire brush thing (shaped like a bottle brush) to polish up the brass bulb sockets....the shine like new now. Wish I could say the same for the rest of the truck..LOL.

Longhorn Man:

Is that Longhorn Website something you put together? It is AWESOME! I really enjoyed reading it and look at all the great pictures. That two-tone gold and white is starting to grow on me....

68w/sbc406 · 08-05-2004, 10:31 PM

i painted mine 'chrome' just cleaned up all grounding points and they work fine. no problems

Longhorn Man · 08-06-2004, 12:04 AM

yeah, did that site. I realy oughta update it one of these years.
Thanks for the comments SLS.

68C15 · 08-06-2004, 07:40 AM

I would paint them white after soldering a ground wire to back of housing. that way there is no chance of rust. use some dielectric grease on grounding points.

08-05-2004, 10:39 AM	#1
SLS Finish the'71..or bust! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 441	What was the original color of the tailight housings?? I am working on my bed (71' SWB) and decided to detail the tailight housings (I guess that's what they are called?) because the were covered with funk and old primer when I got the bed. Anyway, I have blasted and primed them...but what color are they supposed to be. White perhaps??? Thanks for any info. SLS has attached this image:

08-05-2004, 10:53 AM	#2
highboy_04 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: kansas Posts: 1,071	i believe they were just bare and had no coating. goodluck, steve __________________ '67 c10 350/th350

08-05-2004, 11:06 AM	#3
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	You may have grounding problems with them painted as don't the bulbs ground via the housing? __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

08-05-2004, 12:00 PM	#4
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I'm planning on painting mine with Rustoleum Metallic silver after I get them sandblasted. That should give more reflection for a brighter light. Second choice would be white. To ensure a good ground, use a tooth type washer on each bolt. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

08-05-2004, 02:54 PM	#6
Davy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rice, Minnesota Posts: 370	Mine look like they are galvanized steel ??? __________________ 1970 Blazer CST Looking for NOS items for my CST restoration.

08-05-2004, 01:32 PM	#5
SLS Finish the'71..or bust! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 441	Thanks for the replies so far, guys. I believe you may be on to something about the grounding situation, Lippyp. Maybe I should make sure that I leave bare metal showing where they bolt/screw into the bed. I hate to just blast them back to bare metal and intall them as such......as I already have enough rust issues as it is. LOL! ;D

08-05-2004, 03:13 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	They are in fact galvanized steel, and will not rust. I have painted mine white and it helps a little on brightness...but not a whole lot. And sanding it to bare meatle where the two 5/16ths headed bolts go through is a must, and don't forget to tape off the actual bulb socket so you don't ruin the contacts.

08-05-2004, 03:39 PM	#8
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	I replaced both of my taillight lenses a while back and I saw that the housing was painted white, and the inside of the backup lamp housing was white, too. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

08-05-2004, 10:07 PM	#9
SLS Finish the'71..or bust! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 441	Galvanized...didn't think of that. Maybe because they still had some surface rust on them. They are stamped "Guide-Made In Canada" so maybe are different? Good advice on the sanding of the mounting surface and taping of the sockets...which I did after removing the wiring and before lightly blasting them. I also used a wire brush thing (shaped like a bottle brush) to polish up the brass bulb sockets....the shine like new now. Wish I could say the same for the rest of the truck..LOL. Longhorn Man: Is that Longhorn Website something you put together? It is AWESOME! I really enjoyed reading it and look at all the great pictures. That two-tone gold and white is starting to grow on me.... Last edited by SLS; 08-05-2004 at 10:19 PM.

08-05-2004, 10:31 PM	#10
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i painted mine 'chrome' just cleaned up all grounding points and they work fine. no problems __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

08-06-2004, 12:04 AM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	yeah, did that site. I realy oughta update it one of these years. Thanks for the comments SLS.

08-06-2004, 07:40 AM	#12
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	I would paint them white after soldering a ground wire to back of housing. that way there is no chance of rust. use some dielectric grease on grounding points. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

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