Refresh bleached out '65-69 front turn signal lenses

[flatsixcrazy]

So, the weather got a little warm last week and it was the perfect time to refresh the tired and bleached-out front turn signal lenses on my '66 POS. Forgive me if you already know these facts but the '65-'68 911 turn signal light assemblies (lenses and housings) exist as single units. Unlike '69-later 911 where the turn signal lenses (with painted chrome trims) can be readily be removed from their housings by removing the attachment screws, the lenses on pre-69 911 are permanently held to their housings by melted plastic tabs and two through rivets. Also the chrome trims are part of the metal housings. In order to remove the lenses on these pre-69 911, you'll have to grind off the plastic tabs and rivets in the back of the housings. The whole assemblies are NLA new, but replacement lenses are available (~$75 for OE and ~$150 for Bosch's). This write-up will NOT show you how to replace the lenses (it'll be available in a few months), but rather it shows you how to refresh the bleached-out, tired looking turn signal lenses with Krylons stained glass translucent paints and clear coat (consistent with the cheap-@ss Dorki mantra).

Starting point: Note the dull bleached-out white portion on the lenses

[flatsixcrazy]

Prep time:

I used isopropanol to clean the lenses really well, scuff the lenses with a 3M scuff pad to promote mechanical adhesions, clean again, and then tape the chrome trims that is part of the metal housing, and then clean again for the last time before layer on the paints.

[flatsixcrazy]

Painting:

I soaked the paint can in a bucket of hot water and then shook it well (2-3 minutes) before spraying. I put down a few light coats of paints in the bleached-out portions of the lenses while feathered the paints onto the darker portions of the lenses. Keep putting down and feathering light coats of paints until the shades between the formerly bleached-out portions matches up with the formerly darker portions on the lenses.

[flatsixcrazy]

Clear coating:

Once the overall shades of the lenses are consistent, it's clear coating time. I soaked the paint can in a bucket of hot water and then shook it well (2-3 minutes) before spraying. I started out with a light dry coat with a five minutes drying time, then follow with two medium coats with 20 minutes drying time in between.

[flatsixcrazy]

Drying:

I removed the tapes, first using a razor blade to carefull cut around the tape lines and then removed the tapes. I let the paints dry over night and Voila!!!!

I've shown you what I've worked on in my garage last week, now it's your turn to show us what you did in yours :-).

[BobNovas]

Nice job Andy. I think you sprayed the outside of the lenses - could you have sprayed the inside to protect the paint?

[Dr K]

Excellent write-up and photos!

[Landjet]

Are you really going to put that cracked lense back on your car?

[markwemple]

Are you really going to put that cracked lense back on your car?

Its a driver and have you priced up those lenses?

Nice job!

[BlackTalon]

Are you really going to put that cracked lense back on your car?I am guessing the answer is "yes" :lol:

Nice write-up, Andy!

[HoodPin]

Great job and great write-up! I've never seen Krylon "stained glass" paint before...neat product! Never knew how easy it could be to restore some of those old, faded lenses.

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Do they make it in red, to fix faded pink 964 reflectors?

[BlackTalon]

Do they make it in red, to fix faded pink 964 reflectors?
Le sigh

http://www.krylon.com/products/stained_glass_color

[TurboPooch]

Do they make it in red, to fix faded pink 964 reflectors?

Testors #1605 translucent candy red hobby spray works great on red lights. Many folks use this to change colors or freshen up dull and faded lights.

[flatsixcrazy]

Thanks for the encouragements folks!!!

Nice job Andy. I think you sprayed the outside of the lenses - could you have sprayed the inside to protect the paint?

@BobNovas: I've thought about paint the inside of the lenses but I have to find a way to replace the plastic tabs and metal rivets on the old lenses once they are removed. For '69-later cars with lenses that are designed to be replaceable, your approach would work very well.

Are you really going to put that cracked lense back on your car?

@Landjet: Unfortunately, yes (if you're a cop, definitely not!!!). When I said "I have a "'66 POS", I really meant it. Any nice parts I put on it would be like putting diamonds on a piece of brown turd. I paid $2500 for the car with nearly new Webers, '69 E engine, and 901 tranny. My initial intention was to harvest the parts and dump the shell due to extensive rusts. But it has grown on me and it drives very well. I am now at a decision point to do extensive rustoration on it this summer or to drive it to the ground. Until the rusts issue has been taken care of, I can't see me putting anymore money into it.

[markwemple]

Its a LH so as long as you're doing the work, it isn't a waste of money. Keep it running and enjoy it.

[Landjet]

Pretty cool looking older Porsche.

[super90]

Short wheel base cars 65-68, are appreciating faster than any early 911s. I would think that any drivable 66 would be worthwhile to restore. What is the original color?

[Vicegrip]

Short wheel base cars 65-68, are appreciating faster than any early 911s. I would think that any drivable 66 would be worthwhile to restore. That is the original color?

I am sure it is. Murder Black was hot in 66' :roll:

[Parenn911]

Great work Andy!! Awesome job.

[Parenn911]

Any nice parts I put on it would be like putting diamonds on a piece of brown turd.

Hey now, a piece of brown turd can bling, you'd be surprised! ;)

[markwemple]

You alive pari? Where you been?

[Parenn911]

Barely, been trapped in a cave, all your base are belong to us!

[super90]

I am sure it is. Murder Black was hot in 66' :roll:


Corrected my spelling:oops: What is the original color?

[flatsixcrazy]

The original color was silver. I didn't like PO's rolled on white enamel after I got the car and decided to go with sprayed on John Deere Blitz Black for temporary rust protection until respray in original color.

[flatsixcrazy]

Here's another ghetto use for stain glass paint to give a "french" flair to your Porsche.

[Lt. Dan]

Confused... what's ghetto?

[Trak Ratt]

Confused... what's ghetto?
spray on vs color impregnated plastic/glass lensv - never liked that look but understand that some might.

[Vicegrip]

Makes me want to go drink a glass of water.