Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Tail light backup "yellowing" (Read 949 times) previous topic - next topic

Tail light backup "yellowing"

Finally getting around to detailing the inside of a pair of unbroken/painted taillights but I noticed on my currently used lenses, even after cleaning them up to being completely clear and polished, they still appear a bit yellow when put back together. Its not a slightly darker gray due to the tinted lens, but yellow. Outside of the reflector, they are pretty much white/clear.

My question is, does anyone think spraying a very light coat of Duplicolor Metalcast blue or something on the reflectors would give it a better look? Mounted, in certain angles, it looks fine, but in others, it looks yellow, even after using a ton of rubbing compound and plastic polish.

An example is below, this was a couple years ago and both lights looked identical, but the angle of light made the passenger side more yellow.

1988 Thunderbird Sport

Tail light backup "yellowing"

Reply #1 –
Here's what I mean. Adding the reflector really makes the backup look yellowish/foggy, even with a perfectly clean and polished lens. Click images to enlarge:


1988 Thunderbird Sport

Tail light backup "yellowing"

Reply #2 –
Maybe you need to paint the reflector. I painted the inside of mine with chrome paint and it worked great.
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

Tail light backup "yellowing"

Reply #3 –
I think they always looked like that. There is a guy with a 27,000 original mile 87 Sport in the Tbird club by me and his lenses are yellowed as well.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Tail light backup "yellowing"

Reply #4 –
Quote from: ipsd;119789
Maybe you need to paint the reflector. I painted the inside of mine with chrome paint and it worked great.

Which is what brings me to the point of spraying silver and then a very light coat of blue metalcast to bring the color level up to a more white. Not sure if it'll work, but with how optics work, it should make it a bit less yellow, while losing a slight amount of light. I guess if it doesn't work out, I can just resand and respray silver.

I've always loved how the brake lights look when off though, a very slight red glow coming from the inside; just want the white to look a bit less "garbage", instead look vibrant white like they are new (even if they had always looked this way).

btw, these lenses are SPOTLESS inside, I'll have to get a picture of them side by side before they do on the car. Tempted to try sealing not only the outside, but the front lens to the rest also to keep it this clean. Whats another 5 lbs of sealants to add to the light rear end of the car? ;)
1988 Thunderbird Sport