The Ford Barn

Daves55Sedan · 09-12-2017, 11:55 PM

I just removed my second set of badly rusted (pitted) taillight housings. They were repro's from one of the resto parts suppliers and the chrome plating on these is absolutely substandard. The chrome peels off.
Keeping these waxed doesn't seem to help (but my car is not garage kept). So it does incur all the wrath of the seasons.
I received my 3rd and final set today, but before I put them on, I want to try to protect them in some way.
Is it possible to clearcoat directly over chrome plated metal, or will the clearcoat just pop right off???

JeffB2 · 09-13-2017, 01:56 AM

Have them powder coated clear that is much more durable than regular paint.

Sid · 09-13-2017, 11:18 AM

The clear powder coat may not bite well to the chrome plus powder coat is baked at close to 400 deg. This may sound silly but maybe put a thin film of Vaseline or Bag bomb on the chrome to protect during the harsh months. It may help with the rust pit issue.

Dave Covey · 09-13-2017, 01:40 PM

Powder coating will need to have parts either sanded or blasted. There is a product we sprayed on bare metal chassis which etched it prior to powder coating. Very doubtful powder or paint would last long on chrome without some sort of prep.
Probably best way would be just clean and use a good quality wax.
Just wondering how something similar to rainx would work, they do make a wax product. Repels water..

Dave

Ford Freak · 09-13-2017, 04:23 PM

About 16 yrs. ago I had a '59 Ranchero that I had no garage space for . I didn't drive it in the bad NY weather , but it sat out uncovered . The backup light housings that came on it when I purchased the car were in pretty bad shape . I purchased a nice used OEM pair on e-bay . Yrs. later they were still very nice when I sold the vehicle .
I would look for a good OEM pair of housings for your car . They are out there , and that 62 yr. old chrome will last longer than the garbage being sold today .

frank long island · 09-13-2017, 05:31 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

google spray chrome jay leno had it on one of his shows see if anyone in your area does it supposed to be able to go over anything

JeffB2 · 09-13-2017, 06:25 PM

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/alsa...me-216985.html Check out the Jay Leno videos on this stuff on youtube.com

Herman Munster · 09-13-2017, 08:32 PM

I hope they were free replacements from the vendor, otherwise why buy another POS set? I'd rather chance a nice used OEM set for less money.

09-12-2017, 11:55 PM	#1
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	3rd set of '55 Ford taillight housings I just removed my second set of badly rusted (pitted) taillight housings. They were repro's from one of the resto parts suppliers and the chrome plating on these is absolutely substandard. The chrome peels off. Keeping these waxed doesn't seem to help (but my car is not garage kept). So it does incur all the wrath of the seasons. I received my 3rd and final set today, but before I put them on, I want to try to protect them in some way. Is it possible to clearcoat directly over chrome plated metal, or will the clearcoat just pop right off???

09-13-2017, 01:56 AM	#2
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: 3rd set of '55 Ford taillight housings Have them powder coated clear that is much more durable than regular paint.

09-13-2017, 11:18 AM	#3
Sid Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rathdrum Idaho Posts: 737	Re: 3rd set of '55 Ford taillight housings The clear powder coat may not bite well to the chrome plus powder coat is baked at close to 400 deg. This may sound silly but maybe put a thin film of Vaseline or Bag bomb on the chrome to protect during the harsh months. It may help with the rust pit issue.

09-13-2017, 01:40 PM	#4
Dave Covey Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Texas Posts: 67	Re: 3rd set of '55 Ford taillight housings Powder coating will need to have parts either sanded or blasted. There is a product we sprayed on bare metal chassis which etched it prior to powder coating. Very doubtful powder or paint would last long on chrome without some sort of prep. Probably best way would be just clean and use a good quality wax. Just wondering how something similar to rainx would work, they do make a wax product. Repels water.. Dave

09-13-2017, 04:23 PM	#5
Ford Freak Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Pittsford NY. USA Posts: 1,096	Re: 3rd set of '55 Ford taillight housings About 16 yrs. ago I had a '59 Ranchero that I had no garage space for . I didn't drive it in the bad NY weather , but it sat out uncovered . The backup light housings that came on it when I purchased the car were in pretty bad shape . I purchased a nice used OEM pair on e-bay . Yrs. later they were still very nice when I sold the vehicle . I would look for a good OEM pair of housings for your car . They are out there , and that 62 yr. old chrome will last longer than the garbage being sold today .

09-13-2017, 05:31 PM	#6
frank long island Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: westbury ny Posts: 854	Re: 3rd set of '55 Ford taillight housings Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) google spray chrome jay leno had it on one of his shows see if anyone in your area does it supposed to be able to go over anything

09-13-2017, 06:25 PM	#7
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: 3rd set of '55 Ford taillight housings http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/alsa...me-216985.html Check out the Jay Leno videos on this stuff on youtube.com

09-13-2017, 08:32 PM	#8
Herman Munster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SW WA state. Posts: 564	Re: 3rd set of '55 Ford taillight housings I hope they were free replacements from the vendor, otherwise why buy another POS set? I'd rather chance a nice used OEM set for less money. __________________ 1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 292 V8 with Ford-o-Matic