Brighter brake lights?

[ULcards99]

Curious if anyone has had success in getting the brake lights to show up a little better. It sounds like they may just be dimmer than usual, but wasn't sure if anyone knew of a way to get the a little brighter... We bought bulbs to change them out, but it doesn't sound like that will make much of a difference.

[venomizd93]

I believe there is a video on YouTube from a fellow SVOer that changed out his lights to LEDs and it was a lot brighter and still looked stock except for the absolute on-off blink of a led unlike an incandescent bulb.

[MikeFleming]

Take the lenses off the housings, scuff them with some fine ScotchBrite and paint them. Get some of the Chrome or Aluminum reflective paint from Eastwood and re-paint the reflectors. Makes a HUGE difference.

I have pics of the process somewhere.

[Mike Croke]

Take the lenses off the housings, scuff them with some fine ScotchBrite and paint them. Get some of the Chrome or Aluminum reflective paint from Eastwood and re-paint the reflectors. Makes a HUGE difference.

I have pics of the process somewhere.


^^ We did this and it made a huge difference. The original reflective paint on the inside had turned to dust long ago and there was just dull plastic. We just used a "chrome" spray paint from the auto parts store.

[TheSVOTrust]

You probably haven't review ALL of the forums sections but want you to know we have a friend in the LED business (that offer us a 15% discount on all lights until 6/1) Mark
Add this for 15% off any light kit offered at www.hipoparts.com (http://www.hipoparts.com/) until June 1st ! (We chose not to be vendors at 4eyedpride)

http://www.hipoparts.com/led-gauge-lighting-kits/

USE CODE 50th at check out.


Mark

[runamuk86]

I changed mine to led. Huge difference with the right bulbs. Chrome paint did not work very well. I'm waiting for chrome vinyl to show up so can redo in a real chrome finish.

[ULcards99]

We actually did the chrome paint yesterday. It looks much better. There was also a ton of dirt and dust back there so cleaning that off the inside of the lenses and the bulbs also probably helped make a difference.

[FoxBuddy]

We actually did the chrome paint yesterday. It looks much better. There was also a ton of dirt and dust back there so cleaning that off the inside of the lenses and the bulbs also probably helped make a difference.

Good to know. I am planning on replacing lenses soon and wil have to add this to my plan when I do it.

[MikeFleming]

A pictorial guide to brightening up your tail lamp housings.

Carefully disassemble and clean. Note ~20 years of desert dust collected.
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Attaching clip (included in the WAP kit shown below).
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Note how the original reflective surfaces have "faded".
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Careful and thorough cleaning of the parts (compare this pic to first pic).
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Followed by scuffing (fine ScotchBrite) reflective portions of the housing and masked for paint.
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Paint the reflective surfaces.
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Clean, painted parts ready for assembly.
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The WAP kit (butyl sealer, attaching/retaining clips) available from your local Ford dealer and most body shop supply stores. 7106

Installing the butyl sealant.
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Final assembly after pushing the lense back onto the housing, into the sealer.
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[escogt]

That looks awesome!!!! Nice job & explanation!!

[rodster]

+1

Any tricks to dis-assembly?

[MikeFleming]

Any tricks to dis-assembly? Slowly lever the lense piece from the body. Those plastic body panel pry bars work well.

The butyl stuff is always just sticky (never hardens) so it will come apart easily - the spring clips dig a bit into the lense and the body. Just pull it straight back from the housing a little bit at a time, slowly moving around the lense. Then clean all the butyl residue up, clean, scuff, mask, paint, dry, ...

[svono50]

Cleaning and recoating the lenses will be you biggest payback, it is amazing how much dirt can collect in them. The video mentioned above may have been mine, as I changed out all my bulbs to LED's this past season: http://youtu.be/ScSYDZFP-xQ I didn't clean my lenses/housings yet, but may if the bug hits me to take on that project. I certainly did get an improvement in brightness, but my main goal was time delay of the LED vs incandecent and it helping me keep folks away from my rear bumper.

[Chalky]

While you've got the lenses off, polish them and re-paint the stripes. They'll look like new.

[rodster]

Good write up! Currently doing this project. I noticed part of the reason dirt gets into the lens is the fact that it appears the lower housing bolt is overtightened or poorly designed, and the lens pulls away from the housing. (see picture)

I'm going to try to shim that stud and tighten the housing and test fit the lens before final assembly. May have to add some butyl / 3M strip caulk to the housing gasket if there is a gap after shimming.

[rodster]

Shimming isn't the solution....the fitment between the lens and the housing is too far out of whack. Anyone else notice this issue on their SVO? The gap is the cause for all of the dirt/dust getting inside I'm guessing.

[MikeFleming]

It's not exactly precision made parts here. You cna fill it in with the butyl or soft silicone sealer if he leakage bother you. Be sure to have a plan on how to cut the silicone sealer for removal in 20 years.

[rodster]

I hear you on the lack of precision parts!

Hmmmm doubt if I be the one worrying about how to cut the sealer in 20 years. I'm actually thinking about epoxy. Imagine the poor sucker dealing with that with everyone telling him to just pry apart the lens from the housing. :eek: