Tail light resto

[spidernut]

I didn't know that. I love this forum - I get to learn new stuff all the time! I never knew that the older lights had chrome. That's really cool!

[fiat218]

i got my 69 tail light re chrome and the outside mirror and it cost me 500 bucks. some place in CALI
SHINES like a MILLION dollars and there sitting in my spare bedroom

[kmac33]

I had mine re-chromed by Paul's Custom Chroming. http://www.paulschrome.com/
$150.00 each. They came out looking better than new.
The friend that did the paint on my car had the spray chrome system in his shop for a short period of time - got rid of it because the end results were not close enough to true plating for the quality of work he insists on.

[perthling]

I've just received approval from SWMBO to commence my rolling restoration, and taillight housings were one of the first things I have been trying to source (along with a decent red corn-row carpet set). From my enquiries, none of the vendors sell the housings only. But the prices have come down a lot from a couple of years ago. Csaba is selling a pair of new taillights complete, for less than $400, Mr Fiat has them for about the same price. I'm trying to locate a plastic chroming mob locally to get a comparative quote.

We quibble about the prices, but really, less than $200 for a complete rear light which went out of production more than 30 years ago isn't bad, particularly if you compare the price for a taillight for your modern blahmobile.

[kmac33]

Prices have come down a LOT! About a year and a half ago the new reproductions were running $400 per light assembly - hence my shipping mine off for re-chroming. I gotta say I love the increased interest in these cars triggering an increase in parts vendors, resulting in better selection and price for all the bits we need to keep these cars on the road!

[spiderrey]

Danno, my bad. I dont even really think about later cars much so I tend to forget the differences. I mainly focus on picking up early cars. I had a 79 once only cause it was dirt cheap.

[baltobernie]

Include the cost of a new housing gasket in your resto budget. The aftermarket ones now being offered aren't perfect, but will complete the job, keeping water and dirt out of the trunk and tail lamp housings. A bead of black RTV helps fill the imperfections. Those of you lucky to have chrome housings can simply wipe the excess off the body and housings. Us with paint (particularly crinkle) need to run a strip of masking tape on the housing before applying sealant. I kind of like the black housing; it provides great contrast to the lens when illuminated.

[Danno]

Danno, my bad. I dont even really think about later cars much so I tend to forget the differences. I mainly focus on picking up early cars. I had a 79 once only cause it was dirt cheap.

No problem, I was just teasing you!

[spiderrey]

With your words, or that cute little top?

[Danno]

With your words, or that cute little top?

Let there be no confusion. I am not, nor ever will be as sexy as the guy in that picture. Only the great Mike Bouse can pull that look off.

[tartan18]

I'm feeling much sorrow as I have found a near perfect set of tail lights (the plastic chrome in near 100% condition). The source of this largess is our own FiatSpider.com.

Gentlemen and ladies ... Please remember that we love these cars and we will do most anything (that isn't explicitly illegal) to keep them running.

Your Honor, I rest my case.