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Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:12 pm

This '79 I'm working on has one that's silver and the other is kinda yellow.
Neither looks good, so I'm thinking about painting them black. That way they'll match the rubber between the fender and the body - and each other.
What do you think, and what color were they originally?

Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:17 pm

Ronny Bailey wrote: This '79 I'm working on has one that's silver and the other is kinda yellow.
Neither looks good, so I'm thinking about painting them black. That way they'll match the rubber between the fender and the body - and each other.
What do you think, and what color were they originally?

I usually re spray the late model ( 73 and later) area of the housing a light silver/aluminum color ( not that "chrome shiny" alum but a duller metallic looking alum color.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:19 pm

The Mexican replacements are black.... black works.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:22 pm

I assume you are talking about the 1/2" of taillight base you see between the lens & fender

73-75 or 76 had an aluminum housing that was natural silver.
76-83 or so had a silver plastic housing that faded to white, then yellowed in the sun.
84-2004 had a black housing and the taillights became universal L/R

If I were going for a stock look I'd go with silver.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:32 pm

Glenn wrote: The Mexican replacements are black.... black works. Great. Thank you!
DrDarby wrote: I assume you are talking about the 1/2" of taillight base you see between the lens & fender Yes.
DrDarby wrote: If I were going for a stock look I'd go with silver. The 'stock' look isn't very important. They just don't match, and it's pretty noticeable.
If I had some silver paint, I'd use that but what I've got is plain old Rustoleum black.
I'll read the can to make sure it works on plastic first.
They're both in good condition, they just don't look very good - kinda like me. :)

Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:13 am

and just another laughs
the 3 bulb european style bases are light grey :lol: