Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Body/Appearance/Interior => Topic started by: blain_gatterdam on January 18, 2011, 12:15:40 AM

Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: blain_gatterdam on January 18, 2011, 12:15:40 AM
I have a pretty decent idea that I think would spice up the noses on these cars. On aero nose cars, has anyone thought about painting the inside of the housings?

I dont really have a color theme on mine other than black and chrome. I was thinking rustoleum gold on the turns and clear out the corner plastics would look sharp. What gave me the idea was sitting at honda looking at a new insight (chevy volt, etc) they have chrome housings with a blue tint around the edges. Would look subtle but very modern on a TC with blue painted moldings and emblems installed...

What do you guys think?
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: Matt C on February 15, 2011, 08:26:21 PM
Would be neat to see how it would come out.
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: T-BirdX3 on March 03, 2011, 12:08:24 PM
Paint doesn't seem to reflect light like the original chrome finish does. Leaving you with less than desirable lighting effects at night. (I even used "chrome paint")
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: jpc647 on March 03, 2011, 03:25:31 PM
Quote from: T-BirdX3;354448
Paint doesn't seem to reflect light like the original chrome finish does. Leaving you with less than desirable lighting effects at night. (I even used "chrome paint")

As did I. I was quite disappointed.
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: blain_gatterdam on August 19, 2011, 12:14:45 AM
I was thinking painting the bottoms (which are dull white, dont reflect anyway) black, so its not quite blacking them out, but they arent super bright.

Like a lack of commentment to tinting lol
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: Coliosis on August 19, 2011, 01:38:06 AM
I just tinted my tails with that rustoleum lense tint...but I wouldnt mess with the headlights Unless I had some super bright HIDs
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: blain_gatterdam on August 19, 2011, 02:08:40 AM
It would just be the plastic colored structure behind the lens, I wouldnt think it would hinder light output at all as long as you didnt mess with the silver reflector in the back.
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: Dansbirds on August 19, 2011, 07:26:45 AM
I considered it when I had my 87 but then bought nos. assys so stopped thinking about it. I am quite sure the entire inside works as a reflector, not just the back piece, as the inside's of my new ones where all reflective. If I was never going to drive it in the dark I might do it.
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: cougarman on August 19, 2011, 08:22:23 AM
I actually have done that to the plastic housings. I painted the dull white parts gloss black, and they are believe it or not, brighter now...lol. I think the light colored surfaces unfocused the light.
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: blain_gatterdam on August 19, 2011, 01:02:44 PM
Mine were the NOS ones off ebay, I bought them in 08 for $144. I need to open them up to clean the water out of them from being parked, thats why I wondered about painting the bottom since mine are just vanilla colored on the bottom.
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: cougarcragar on August 19, 2011, 06:16:49 PM
Technically, the bottom of the inner housing does not reflect light forward, so I don't think there's anything wrong with painting it.

In fact, I did exactly that with my '96:

(http://www.frostbridge.com/images/uvhead1.jpg)

The only difference with your Fox would be that the lens is faceted, while newer vehicles have a clear lens with a faceted rear inner housing. You may still see the color bleeding through, which is what you would want.

(http://www.frostbridge.com/images/uvhead3.jpg)
Title: painting the headlight housings
Post by: blain_gatterdam on August 20, 2011, 03:41:19 PM
Yes, I thought about that after looking at my euro lens' on my explorer, you wouldnt really notice the definition... Now im worried it will look like mold lol

Maybe ill just do a silver paint or white to make them look brighter (visually, not light output)