Has anyone tried putting aluminum foil as a backing behind the taillight bulbs. It seems like this would brighten them up some. If it ever warms up any around here, I'm going to try it. Any opinions?

 

Never thought about it. Let us know how it works out.
I wonder if reflective neon or silver paint would work too.

 

Dont the tailights already have something in there to act as a reflective? it seems you would just be messin up what was put in there to start with.

 

>Dont the tailights already have something in there to act as
>a reflective? it seems you would just be messin up what was
>put in there to start with.

Well, it would tend to depend on the materal used, and the relative age of the tail lights.

I've had a vew older vehicles, ok, i've always bought used, and it was pretty consistent that the tail nights were kinda dim.

Not too sure if the reflective materal had oxidized, or if the tin plated contacts had warn and the copper oxidized. I know on one car, I did have to treet the contact with a salt vinigar solution in order to bring up the voltage up to something resembling 12 volts.

Actually, I would think that this would be a perfect application for chrome paint. Applied then roughed up to possibly defuse any hot spots.

 

Gloss white paint will work better believe it or not. White will give you a more even and brighter tailight than chrome paint or foil. Another option is to polish the plastic lens with some glass polish/scratch remover. Good luck.

 

>Has anyone tried putting aluminum foil as a backing behind
>the taillight bulbs. It seems like this would brighten them
>up some. If it ever warms up any around here, I'm going to
>try it. Any opinions?

Go for it!

And while your're at it, why not replace your antenna with a coathanger??


Bru
2002 F150 Super Crew
Black 4X4 Lariat
5.4 Engine Ford Chrome Bars

1979 Bronco 351M 75K orig.

 

If it's because your truck/car is old they make a spray paint for restoring the refllective portion of taillights. You can get it at
[link:www.eastwoodco.com|The Eastwood Company]

 

I had a friend who tried this little trick out (the paint) It worked great on the indicators and brake lights, that only occasionally flicked on but the tail-lights that are always on while night driving were a different story. On his first night drive he had 2 little fires on the back of his ute. Yep, the paint burned off with the heat of the light bulbs!!!!

335C