What tail lights fit well? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jim85IROC · 01-21-2006, 06:14 PM

The stock tail lights on my truck are very dull. I'm going to try to polish them, but I want a backup plan.

Today I bought a set of lenses that are supposidly made in the US, though I can't find any proof of that. Anyway, I installed them a few minutes ago, and the fit is absolutely horrible. The driver side light sticks out over 1/4" past the body.

Are there any good fitting aftermarket lamps, or should I just plan on taking the time to restore my stock lenses?

f.monroe · 01-22-2006, 12:22 AM

I have never done it but I have heard of people using clear gloss paint on the lenses . I think you would have to use Testors brand model paint since it is for plastics . I am sure that clear for automobiles would react with the plastic lenses . The good thing is that Testors in the little cans is cheap and can be bought at Wal-Mart and others . Frank

72 CustomCamper · 01-22-2006, 01:06 AM

Its sounds crazy, but toothpaste works really well for polishing dull lenses. Plus makes them smell minty fresh... LOL

Chuck

C-10volvo · 01-22-2006, 01:15 AM

Toothpaste has almost the same consistency as a heavy rubbing compound, just don’t use it on any paint. When polishing plastic, don’t use a buffer. It will melt and burn it causing it to look more even more dull. just be agressive with a towel

Army_Dude · 01-22-2006, 01:36 AM

I had a Lincoln with really dull headlights once. I scuffed them with steel wool and polished them with rubbing compound. It made a noticable difference.

Jim85IROC · 01-22-2006, 12:17 PM

I polished the stock tail lights last night, but I'm still not thrilled with the results. They're shiny, but you just can't take the "old" look out of plastic. Next to the new ones, they're just not as brilliant even though they're just as shiny. But... at least they fit reasonably well. The driver side bed side is an aftermarket bed side, so the fit is terrible even with the stock light, but the aftermarket light is even worse. The passenger side bed side is original as far as I know, and the stock light fits decent. The aftermarket light fits poorly.

01-21-2006, 06:14 PM	#1
Jim85IROC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Readsboro, VT Posts: 502	What tail lights fit well? The stock tail lights on my truck are very dull. I'm going to try to polish them, but I want a backup plan. Today I bought a set of lenses that are supposidly made in the US, though I can't find any proof of that. Anyway, I installed them a few minutes ago, and the fit is absolutely horrible. The driver side light sticks out over 1/4" past the body. Are there any good fitting aftermarket lamps, or should I just plan on taking the time to restore my stock lenses? __________________ 1987 GMC Sierra Classic 3500 454 TH400 My Sounddomain Page

01-22-2006, 12:22 AM	#2
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: What tail lights fit well? I have never done it but I have heard of people using clear gloss paint on the lenses . I think you would have to use Testors brand model paint since it is for plastics . I am sure that clear for automobiles would react with the plastic lenses . The good thing is that Testors in the little cans is cheap and can be bought at Wal-Mart and others . Frank __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

01-22-2006, 01:06 AM	#3
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Re: What tail lights fit well? Its sounds crazy, but toothpaste works really well for polishing dull lenses. Plus makes them smell minty fresh... LOL Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

01-22-2006, 01:15 AM	#4
C-10volvo Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon Posts: 1,028	Re: What tail lights fit well? Toothpaste has almost the same consistency as a heavy rubbing compound, just don’t use it on any paint. When polishing plastic, don’t use a buffer. It will melt and burn it causing it to look more even more dull. just be agressive with a towel __________________ Ken Morgan For fun: 1964 Volvo 122 For slow: 1984 Chevrolet C-10 For everything else: 1997 BMW M3

01-22-2006, 01:36 AM	#5
Army_Dude Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 187	Re: What tail lights fit well? I had a Lincoln with really dull headlights once. I scuffed them with steel wool and polished them with rubbing compound. It made a noticable difference.

01-22-2006, 12:17 PM	#6
Jim85IROC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Readsboro, VT Posts: 502	Re: What tail lights fit well? I polished the stock tail lights last night, but I'm still not thrilled with the results. They're shiny, but you just can't take the "old" look out of plastic. Next to the new ones, they're just not as brilliant even though they're just as shiny. But... at least they fit reasonably well. The driver side bed side is an aftermarket bed side, so the fit is terrible even with the stock light, but the aftermarket light is even worse. The passenger side bed side is original as far as I know, and the stock light fits decent. The aftermarket light fits poorly. __________________ 1987 GMC Sierra Classic 3500 454 TH400 My Sounddomain Page



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