smoothed my tail lights! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cstm68 · 03-05-2009, 10:54 PM

i wanted to try removing the lip from around my tail lights so i found an old set and i used a bench grinder to take the lip off and then a bunch of sanding with 220 paper then wet sanding with 600. i like how they turned out so i will order a new set and do the same to them but with a lot more wet sanding and some buffing. i will do the same with the backup lights

Longhorn Man · 03-05-2009, 10:56 PM

i like that. looks good

sleepertruck72 · 03-05-2009, 10:58 PM

cstm68-
that looks clean. Good job with it ! It may be a rookie question, but what is that thing in the upper portion of the lens ?

Chevymann1968 · 03-05-2009, 11:02 PM

That is a blue dot thing!!!!! I know that you could order them from LMC but i dont know what they are for!!!

Just l;ooked it up un LMC and it was the style back then!!! According to LMC!!!

cstm68 · 03-05-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepertruck72

cstm68-
that looks clean. Good job with it ! It may be a rookie question, but what is that thing in the upper portion of the lens ?

yeah there called blue dots, i guess they used to be a big thing, im not a big fan of them in 67-72 trucks but the look killer in the 66 mustang my dad put a set in, they look good in late 30's to early 50's street rod lights too but thoes lights came in the truck when i bought it. i plan on doing this to a new set of lights but leaving the blue dots out!![

sleepertruck72 · 03-05-2009, 11:22 PM

They dont look bad or anything, at least I learned something today

cstm68 · 03-05-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepertruck72

They dont look bad or anything, at least I learned something today

no they dont look bad, i lust like them more in the smaller lights like on a 40 ford or a 32 coupe i just think they look better on that style car
my friend has them in his 63 falcon and his brother has them in his 53 chevy coupe and they look awsome.

here is a pic of them lit up a night, they look kinda cool if your driving behind them at night.

Putter · 03-05-2009, 11:29 PM

From a few car lengths back, it makes your taillights 'purple-ish-blue' instead of 'red'

bowtieboy93 · 03-05-2009, 11:33 PM

I heard somewhere blue dots were originally used for undercover police cars back in the day so they could be told apart from other cars

I dont know if its right, but makes sense

I agree with the blue dots they look good, but you have to be selective on what they go on.

Im digging the light shaving! looks awesome! totally flawless!

9teen69 · 03-05-2009, 11:43 PM

Nice - they look sweet. Would look nice on clear lenses also.

*MonteSS454* · 03-06-2009, 12:21 AM

I might have to buy another set of lenses and shave them then slap some niteshade on them......

sleepertruck72 · 03-06-2009, 01:07 AM

That looks cool when its lit up.

texanidiot25 · 03-06-2009, 01:19 AM

Subtle clean mods, love that sort of thing

nuke1 · 03-06-2009, 02:50 AM

nice job, i think you just created more work for me, lol

chevy_mike · 03-06-2009, 11:21 AM

Nice mod. I really like how it cleaned up the lens. Makes them flow better with the mounting area.

I'll be keeping that in mind.

kyull67 · 03-06-2009, 12:21 PM

good idea

**fine69** · 03-06-2009, 01:05 PM

Tell us what you used to shave the edge off. Without melting the lense.

1LoC10 · 03-06-2009, 01:13 PM

looks cool

1LoC10 · 03-06-2009, 01:13 PM

i got LED's behind my blue dots

[IMG]http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z193/Indig...

Kel's 72 GMC · 03-06-2009, 03:58 PM

where did you get those type of LED's. Reminds me of the turn signals on the late 60's cougars and the new mustangs.

**raggedjim** · 03-06-2009, 04:23 PM

I can't verify this yet, but my grandfather told me that when cars had 6-volt systems and those real small rear lights one of the car companys put bluedots in as oem safety items to draw attantion to the tail lights. Supposedly this happened sometime in the late 30's.

The hotrodder's liked the look and started using them elsewhere...

I will try to find something that backs this up.

Rg

sjarrett71 · 03-06-2009, 04:44 PM

I hate to always bring the legal aspect of things up but some people on the board always complain about getting pulled over so I try to help eliminate your reasons for getting pulled over when I can.

In some states, vehicles are required to have red reflectors in the rear of vehicles, making clear taillights illegal. Also in some states it is illegal to have any color light except red (brake or taillight) or amber (turn signal) displayed to the rear (making blue dots illegal).

Most officers (I know) won't bother pulling a vehicle over JUST because of the blue dots but it is possible. It just depends on how picky the officer wants to be.

Just food for thought guys.

Longhorn Man · 03-06-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

In some states, vehicles are required to have red reflectors in the rear of vehicles, making clear taillights illegal. Also in some states it is illegal to have any color light except red (brake or taillight) or amber (turn signal) displayed to the rear (making blue dots illegal)...

Actually, the red reflector thing is a federal thing, just some states won't enforce it. Technicly, most of those clear with small red lenses inside aren't DOT certified either. If you look into the DOT regs, it is amazing what all is not legit... to include all but one (that I am aware of) of the LED tail light conversions.
The blue dots are illegal in many, if not most states. I have never heard of them being under cover police, or factory issue on anything... just an old school gear head thing.

**raggedjim** · 03-06-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

I hate to always bring the legal aspect of things up but some people on the board always complain about getting pulled over so I try to help eliminate your reasons for getting pulled over when I can.

In some states, vehicles are required to have red reflectors in the rear of vehicles, making clear taillights illegal. Also in some states it is illegal to have any color light except red (brake or taillight) or amber (turn signal) displayed to the rear (making blue dots illegal).

Most officers (I know) won't bother pulling a vehicle over JUST because of the blue dots but it is possible. It just depends on how picky the officer wants to be.

Just food for thought guys.

Some states they are legal on hotrods and vintage, you happen to be in one of those states, lucky you!

More history, these were bluedots were standard equipment on 1932-1933 Cadillacs. Here's a few pics and an auction for original Cadillac lenses with bluedots.

(well it won't let me link but it is item 360118347034 so do an advanced search for completed items and you will find it) They are the lenses only and sold for $317.00, Yikes!

Hope all this works. I guess back then they weren't illegal (remember when all emergency vehicles and cops had the big red bubble? I do...) I figure some hotrodder stuck some caddy lights on his ford and people started copying him.

I've also posted a Lynx-eye display from the 30's that has different taillights with bluedots.

Rg

Enough history, Rg

70c10 · 03-06-2009, 07:54 PM

cstm68- Cool idea!

03-05-2009, 10:54 PM	#1
cstm68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: shoreline, wa Posts: 1,565	smoothed my tail lights! i wanted to try removing the lip from around my tail lights so i found an old set and i used a bench grinder to take the lip off and then a bunch of sanding with 220 paper then wet sanding with 600. i like how they turned out so i will order a new set and do the same to them but with a lot more wet sanding and some buffing. i will do the same with the backup lights __________________ 68 swb fleet bagged on 20's 327 with 4 speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223308 2014 Chevy 2500hd duramax CCLB

03-05-2009, 10:56 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: smoothed my tail lights! i like that. looks good

03-05-2009, 10:58 PM	#3
sleepertruck72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Turlock California 95380 Posts: 2,075	Re: smoothed my tail lights! cstm68- that looks clean. Good job with it ! It may be a rookie question, but what is that thing in the upper portion of the lens ? __________________ 72 C20 Longbed 05 1500 Z71

03-05-2009, 11:02 PM	#4
Chevymann1968 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houma LA Posts: 193	Re: smoothed my tail lights! That is a blue dot thing!!!!! I know that you could order them from LMC but i dont know what they are for!!! Just l;ooked it up un LMC and it was the style back then!!! According to LMC!!! __________________ 1968 GMC Rebuilding Stage 2001 Camaro SS SOLD Last edited by Chevymann1968; 03-05-2009 at 11:09 PM.

03-05-2009, 11:22 PM	#6
sleepertruck72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Turlock California 95380 Posts: 2,075	Re: smoothed my tail lights! They dont look bad or anything, at least I learned something today __________________ 72 C20 Longbed 05 1500 Z71

03-05-2009, 11:29 PM	#8
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Re: smoothed my tail lights! From a few car lengths back, it makes your taillights 'purple-ish-blue' instead of 'red' __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

03-05-2009, 11:33 PM	#9
bowtieboy93 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: (Cloverdale) Surrey BC Canada Posts: 1,566	Re: smoothed my tail lights! I heard somewhere blue dots were originally used for undercover police cars back in the day so they could be told apart from other cars I dont know if its right, but makes sense I agree with the blue dots they look good, but you have to be selective on what they go on. Im digging the light shaving! looks awesome! totally flawless! __________________ Travis travis_moffatt@hotmail.com 1969 Chevrolet C-10 LWB, 350c.i., TH350, In Pieces. 1991 GMC Sonoma, IROCS s10 grill 1963 Ford Galaxie 351/C4

03-05-2009, 11:43 PM	#10
9teen69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,048	Re: smoothed my tail lights! Nice - they look sweet. Would look nice on clear lenses also. __________________ 72 Cheyenne SWB C10 (daily driver) (Super fake cause I just love the glovebox emblem) 70 Camaro RS (frame-off in pieces) 70 Camaro RS (daily driver backup) 69 Custom LWB C10 (son now drives)

03-06-2009, 12:21 AM	#11
MonteSS454 Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 821	Re: smoothed my tail lights! I might have to buy another set of lenses and shave them then slap some niteshade on them......

03-06-2009, 01:07 AM	#12
sleepertruck72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Turlock California 95380 Posts: 2,075	Re: smoothed my tail lights! That looks cool when its lit up. __________________ 72 C20 Longbed 05 1500 Z71

03-06-2009, 01:19 AM	#13
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: smoothed my tail lights! Subtle clean mods, love that sort of thing

03-06-2009, 02:50 AM	#14
nuke1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,: Posts: 2,901	Re: smoothed my tail lights! nice job, i think you just created more work for me, lol __________________ James 1968 GMC "HAVOC" 1986 GMC "Frank" J.J.R.H. Design & Consulting My 68`Rebuild "HAVOC": http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=316300 A 58' chev build thread: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=311238 1969 Camaro Pro Touring http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...61#post3513361 Swiss Cheese: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=384390 Adjustable Trailing Arm How-To: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321100 1968 Ford Farm Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6555587

03-06-2009, 11:21 AM	#15
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: smoothed my tail lights! Nice mod. I really like how it cleaned up the lens. Makes them flow better with the mounting area. I'll be keeping that in mind. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

03-06-2009, 12:21 PM	#16
kyull67 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Springfield/Kansas City Posts: 1,842	Re: smoothed my tail lights! good idea __________________ The first '67 The current '67 '63 Biscayne

03-06-2009, 01:05 PM	#17
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Re: smoothed my tail lights! Tell us what you used to shave the edge off. Without melting the lense. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6



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03-06-2009, 01:13 PM	#18
1LoC10 Insert Title Here Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 5,679	Re: smoothed my tail lights! looks cool __________________ BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all <<

03-06-2009, 03:58 PM	#20
Kel's 72 GMC GM made with FORD paint Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DeBary, Florida Posts: 127	Re: smoothed my tail lights! where did you get those type of LED's. Reminds me of the turn signals on the late 60's cougars and the new mustangs.

03-06-2009, 04:23 PM	#21
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,515	Re: smoothed my tail lights! I can't verify this yet, but my grandfather told me that when cars had 6-volt systems and those real small rear lights one of the car companys put bluedots in as oem safety items to draw attantion to the tail lights. Supposedly this happened sometime in the late 30's. The hotrodder's liked the look and started using them elsewhere... I will try to find something that backs this up. Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 Ideas - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851743

03-06-2009, 04:44 PM	#22
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: smoothed my tail lights! I hate to always bring the legal aspect of things up but some people on the board always complain about getting pulled over so I try to help eliminate your reasons for getting pulled over when I can. In some states, vehicles are required to have red reflectors in the rear of vehicles, making clear taillights illegal. Also in some states it is illegal to have any color light except red (brake or taillight) or amber (turn signal) displayed to the rear (making blue dots illegal). Most officers (I know) won't bother pulling a vehicle over JUST because of the blue dots but it is possible. It just depends on how picky the officer wants to be. Just food for thought guys.

03-06-2009, 07:54 PM	#25
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: smoothed my tail lights! cstm68- Cool idea! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

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