has anybody ever done this? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

19mike69 · 06-19-2003, 09:32 AM

has anybody ever taken the rear tailight housing and lined it with aluminum tape?....was just wondering if since it is a real dull grey by adding the reflective tape would make the brake lights brighter?....just a thought

**old Rusty C10** · 06-19-2003, 10:04 AM

i think the tape would lift after time that stuff never sticks too well

VTKidder · 06-19-2003, 10:59 AM

They sell LED (light emitting diode) tailight kits that are really bright. If it's a safety concern, I'd definitely go for the swap. Pretty reasonably priced too.

1969 GMC · 06-19-2003, 11:52 AM

yeah LED's are cool...have you ever seen a little ricer type car with a spoiler on the trunklid that had a 3rd brakelight in it? they are almost always LED...and when they hit the brakes, you can see the LED's light up before the incandescent bulbs. also, some newer expensive cars have all of their taillights/brakelights LED, not to mention most semis and buses now.

tom hand · 06-19-2003, 11:56 AM

White does better to brighten them up...just take them out and give them a good coat of white paint

1971LT1SWBPOSI373 · 06-19-2003, 12:09 PM

I painted mine white. It looked brighter.

Blue_71 · 06-19-2003, 12:39 PM

white made a big difference on both of mine.......

dont forget the blue dots!!!!!!!!!

jewels. · 06-19-2003, 01:27 PM

i just replaced the rear taillights on my stepside. it took me a few years, but i finally found a stepside in a junkyard, and i removed the original taillight housings from it. since they were badly rusted, i coated them with POR15, which is shiny black. i was also worried about the taillights being dim, and so i put a lining of aluminum foil on the inside. the foil was nice because it conformed to all of the oddly-shaped surfaces of the taillight housings. plus, it was cheap and readily available. i don't know if the lights are any brighter --- i'll have to check tonight when its dark.

jewels.

These are the old taillights:

and these are the new taillights:

hmmm. looks like i need a wax job --- the red is turning a bit orange in that second pic.

greasemonkey · 06-19-2003, 01:59 PM

I painted mine with that Krylon original chrome, and it brightened it up quite a bit.

Longhorn Man · 06-19-2003, 03:53 PM

I use flat white in there on all of mine.
And I'll second that about the blue dots! They rule!
Hey Jewles...you hit 100...time for an avatar!

Longhorn Man · 06-19-2003, 03:55 PM

Oh, and BTW...I am working up something for low cost LED tail lights that anyone can duplicate...give me a few weeks and I'll get the chance to look into it some more. The idea is there, and I am working out some bugs as I look into it more.

19mike69 · 06-19-2003, 05:05 PM

Longhornmail....yeah,let me know when you get all the info....id be interested

Longhorn Man · 06-19-2003, 08:44 PM

heh heh heh I knew someone would jump on that.
Like I said..I hope to have something here in a couple weeks.

DevinM · 06-19-2003, 10:13 PM

I'd like to brighten my 'tails' up too. I just bought some high power bulbs from JC Whitney and they helped out a great deal. Now, I'll either paint the housings white, or crome. I'd think the crome would be brighter???

jewels. · 06-20-2003, 12:04 AM

hey, longhornmail, i'm all ears --- let us know when you come up with something! oh - and thanks for the note --- i didn't even notice that i hit 100!

and which is brighter? good question? chrome? white? i don't know. anyone?

jewels.

krue · 06-20-2003, 12:10 AM

Andy let me know about LED's for a stepside!

Hey Jewels, nice looking rear!....the truck of course!

Chevy67Tk · 06-20-2003, 10:19 AM

I did mine with white 3M scotch-lite (sp?) paint and it made a big difference, it’s the reflective paint they use on fire trucks and police cars.

greasemonkey · 06-20-2003, 11:24 AM

I used chrome in my dash and taillights after what I heard longhorn did with white. I figured it would reflect the light, and it works really well. I don't know which is brighter though, white or chrome.
One note- if you use chrome paint, use Krylon. I have tried other brands, and they sucked.

Longhorn Man · 06-20-2003, 11:37 AM

Hmmm, I had forgotten about you step side owners...I might just be able to do something for y'all too.

I'll keep you posted.
And I agree abaout jewels's rear...very nice, the truck anyways...we haven't seen her yet.

jewels. · 06-20-2003, 04:24 PM

<<blushing>>

greasemonkey · 06-21-2003, 11:14 AM

Let us know longhorn.. that "low cost" part caught my eye, I might consider LEDs if they weren't so pricey.

RED71CHEVY · 06-21-2003, 03:04 PM

low cost is always good, so much to buy, so little money to buy it with!!

Longhorn Man · 06-22-2003, 12:24 AM

Does 50 or so bucks sound cheap for a do it yourself LED conversion that is way better than the stupid LED 'bulb' that auto zone sells?
(just have to tease y'all a little)

greasemonkey · 06-22-2003, 12:31 PM

$50 apiece or for both?

Longhorn Man · 06-22-2003, 12:49 PM

Complete....and if I am right, it'll actually be more like 35 to 40 bucks.

06-19-2003, 09:32 AM	#1
19mike69 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: pottsboro,tx Posts: 513	has anybody ever done this? has anybody ever taken the rear tailight housing and lined it with aluminum tape?....was just wondering if since it is a real dull grey by adding the reflective tape would make the brake lights brighter?....just a thought

06-19-2003, 10:04 AM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,277	i think the tape would lift after time that stuff never sticks too well __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

06-19-2003, 11:52 AM	#4
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	yeah LED's are cool...have you ever seen a little ricer type car with a spoiler on the trunklid that had a 3rd brakelight in it? they are almost always LED...and when they hit the brakes, you can see the LED's light up before the incandescent bulbs. also, some newer expensive cars have all of their taillights/brakelights LED, not to mention most semis and buses now. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

06-19-2003, 11:56 AM	#5
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	White does better to brighten them up...just take them out and give them a good coat of white paint __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

06-19-2003, 12:09 PM	#6
1971LT1SWBPOSI373 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 460	I painted mine white. It looked brighter. __________________ 1971 Shortbed 350/350 w/ Posi-traction 3:73's 1996 Chevy Silverado TJ in Springfield, Virginia Likes old Chevy trucks Drinks Miller MGD

06-19-2003, 10:59 AM	#3
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	They sell LED (light emitting diode) tailight kits that are really bright. If it's a safety concern, I'd definitely go for the swap. Pretty reasonably priced too.

06-19-2003, 01:27 PM	#8
jewels. Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Munster, IN Posts: 1,100	i just replaced the rear taillights on my stepside. it took me a few years, but i finally found a stepside in a junkyard, and i removed the original taillight housings from it. since they were badly rusted, i coated them with POR15, which is shiny black. i was also worried about the taillights being dim, and so i put a lining of aluminum foil on the inside. the foil was nice because it conformed to all of the oddly-shaped surfaces of the taillight housings. plus, it was cheap and readily available. i don't know if the lights are any brighter --- i'll have to check tonight when its dark. jewels. These are the old taillights: and these are the new taillights: hmmm. looks like i need a wax job --- the red is turning a bit orange in that second pic. __________________ 68 C10 Red Step 350 my first child & main focus 58 3200 Apache LWB Step the upcoming project

06-19-2003, 01:59 PM	#9
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	I painted mine with that Krylon original chrome, and it brightened it up quite a bit. __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

06-19-2003, 03:53 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I use flat white in there on all of mine. And I'll second that about the blue dots! They rule! Hey Jewles...you hit 100...time for an avatar!

06-19-2003, 03:55 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Oh, and BTW...I am working up something for low cost LED tail lights that anyone can duplicate...give me a few weeks and I'll get the chance to look into it some more. The idea is there, and I am working out some bugs as I look into it more.

06-19-2003, 05:05 PM	#12
19mike69 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: pottsboro,tx Posts: 513	Longhornmail....yeah,let me know when you get all the info....id be interested

06-19-2003, 08:44 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	heh heh heh I knew someone would jump on that. Like I said..I hope to have something here in a couple weeks.

06-19-2003, 10:13 PM	#14
DevinM Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Deerfield, MA USA Posts: 198	I'd like to brighten my 'tails' up too. I just bought some high power bulbs from JC Whitney and they helped out a great deal. Now, I'll either paint the housings white, or crome. I'd think the crome would be brighter??? __________________ '71 Chevy C-10 - Current '62 Imapla SS - Traded for my current '73 Nova Hatch - traded for ATC-350X '73 Chevelle Deluxe - First car (R.I.P) DEERFIELD, MA

06-20-2003, 12:04 AM	#15
jewels. Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Munster, IN Posts: 1,100	hey, longhornmail, i'm all ears --- let us know when you come up with something! oh - and thanks for the note --- i didn't even notice that i hit 100! and which is brighter? good question? chrome? white? i don't know. anyone? jewels. __________________ 68 C10 Red Step 350 my first child & main focus 58 3200 Apache LWB Step the upcoming project

06-20-2003, 12:10 AM	#16
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Andy let me know about LED's for a stepside! Hey Jewels, nice looking rear!....the truck of course! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"



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06-20-2003, 10:19 AM	#17
Chevy67Tk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: PA Posts: 349	I did mine with white 3M scotch-lite (sp?) paint and it made a big difference, it’s the reflective paint they use on fire trucks and police cars. __________________

06-20-2003, 11:24 AM	#18
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	I used chrome in my dash and taillights after what I heard longhorn did with white. I figured it would reflect the light, and it works really well. I don't know which is brighter though, white or chrome. One note- if you use chrome paint, use Krylon. I have tried other brands, and they sucked. __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

06-20-2003, 11:37 AM	#19
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Hmmm, I had forgotten about you step side owners...I might just be able to do something for y'all too. I'll keep you posted. And I agree abaout jewels's rear...very nice, the truck anyways...we haven't seen her yet.

06-20-2003, 04:24 PM	#20
jewels. Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Munster, IN Posts: 1,100	<<blushing>> __________________ 68 C10 Red Step 350 my first child & main focus 58 3200 Apache LWB Step the upcoming project

06-21-2003, 11:14 AM	#21
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	Let us know longhorn.. that "low cost" part caught my eye, I might consider LEDs if they weren't so pricey. __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

06-21-2003, 03:04 PM	#22
RED71CHEVY Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: LEXINGTON,SC,USA Posts: 208	low cost is always good, so much to buy, so little money to buy it with!! __________________ TIM '71 CUSTOM C-10 torch red ,350 roller GM crate,3.73 GEARS, REAR 4"DROP SPRING, FRONT 2.5" DROP SPINDLE-1.5"lower spring, FRONT=17x8(4.5bs) W/265-60-17, BACK=17x9.5 (5bs)W/285-60-17, Vintage Air Sure Fit AC------NEVER ENDING PROJECT!!

06-22-2003, 12:24 AM	#23
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Does 50 or so bucks sound cheap for a do it yourself LED conversion that is way better than the stupid LED 'bulb' that auto zone sells? (just have to tease y'all a little)

06-22-2003, 12:31 PM	#24
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	$50 apiece or for both? __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

06-22-2003, 12:49 PM	#25
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Complete....and if I am right, it'll actually be more like 35 to 40 bucks.

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