'57-'61 reflective tail light lens refurbishment

[easy e]

I decided to refurbish a tail light lens I picked up.
My goal was to restore reflectivity to the reverse.

Here is my subject on the left an NOS lens (replacement type K13280) on the right:

I started by cleaning the glass and masking the reverse with tape.
For the interior, I discovered cutting the tape on a slight (~15 deg.) angle... I could have a piece of tape to fit corner to corner of the hexagon.

Here's after spray painting 8 light coats of the "Krylon Looking Glass" paint (next to NOS):

Here's after a light coat of the metallic gold and a coat of laquer (NOS on right). The silver was slightly translucent when a light was shone through from the rear. The gold coat helped to make it more opaque & add a touch of aesthetic appeal. The clear was added because I don't believe either of the two paints to be especially durable.

Here's the obverse (taken using flash, NOS on right).

And finally, here's my materials in order of use (starting in the front & moving counter-clockwise)

I was impressed with the results & only hope lens housing internal temperatures won't make the paint get 'funny' over time. It oughta be all right.

Cheers,
E
_________________
aka: Evan
Spreadsheet for Bus RPM, based on gearing & tire size (Excel format)
Searchable, click-navigable 1958 Bus Parts List
“They are about as worthless as the tits on the boars that live in the woods behind their junk yard.” -Weatherly

[matthew henricks]

Very Cool.

[npbusguy]

K3235 lenses, like the one on the left, are not supposed to have the gold, or at least I have never seen one with it and I collect those lenses. They are late 57/early 1958 lenses and are hard to find. The lens on the right looks like the much more common (and cheaper) replacement lens. Hold them up to the light and you will see that the K3235 lens is more translucent in the middle. Don't worry, the gold paint should clean off the K3235 lens, so you didn't ruin it.

[easy e]

I've seen a selection of NOS lenses in one photo... and only one was not reflective. Now I know which type it was. Thank you for sharing.
Pic was on page two of this thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=200834&highlight=tail+light

If I find another K3235 for my Feb. '58, I'll likely strip this one & chalk it up to being an academic exercise. But then again... if parked on the street at night... I wouldn't mind a reflector or two out back.
_________________
aka: Evan
Spreadsheet for Bus RPM, based on gearing & tire size (Excel format)
Searchable, click-navigable 1958 Bus Parts List
“They are about as worthless as the tits on the boars that live in the woods behind their junk yard.” -Weatherly