Electrics: - Brighter Rear Lights / indicators for less than a fiver

1966 122s · Jul 26th, 2009, 18:12

This is not earth shatering, but I am surprosed just how much brighter the rear lights are after a bit of chrome tape. I expected a bit of an improvement but they are far brighter. I'll attach After and before Pics of side light and indicator.
Chrome tape courtest of Aldi or was it Lidl !

ClassicVolvoShop · Jul 26th, 2009, 18:15

Good job! Safety first!

Steve and his 244 · Jul 26th, 2009, 19:24

The other option is a can of that chrome effect paint, a few coats with fine wet and dry in between and it makes a world of difference.

Alf ista · Jul 26th, 2009, 21:12

I used chrome paint on mine recently and it made a great job. Very neat too. Reflective tape would be even brighter though, I imagine.
I think this came up in a thread a few months ago, thats where I found out to use chrome paint.

johnjp · Jul 27th, 2009, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1966 122s

Chrome tape courtest of Aldi or was it Lidl !

I got tape from `Maplins`, see my pics.

archieboy69 · Jul 27th, 2009, 11:29

Thats made a real difference, well done. I was thinking about led bulbs, anybody tried them?
Stu

Ron Kwas · Jul 27th, 2009, 11:32

Forum;

I've never been impressed with the "chrome" paints, so I just use and recommend the adhesive backed (real metal) aluminum tape used by proffesionals for sealing heating and cooling ducts...not to be confused with silver colored plastic duct tape (which doesn't have the reflective properties and would not survive the heat I expect).

...and for best results, don't forget restoring and optimizing all of the connections in the current path in order to minimize voltage drops and get the maximun voltage at lamps...for details, see: http://sw-em.com/Amazon_Rear_Light_F...estoration.htm

Cheers from Connecticut!

Brian M · Jul 27th, 2009, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by archieboy69

Thats made a real difference, well done. I was thinking about led bulbs, anybody tried them?
Stu

Got them in the back of mine, much brighter than regular bulbs.

I was given them as a present so can't help with the supplier.

AidanC · Jul 27th, 2009, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by archieboy69

Thats made a real difference, well done. I was thinking about led bulbs, anybody tried them?
Stu

Don't buy the cheap ones - I got them and not only were they feeble, they directed all the light straight out instead of reflecting it off the reflector so they were actually worse than ordinary bulbs

Jul 26th, 2009, 18:15	#2
ClassicVolvoShop Schrödinger's Cat Cph! Last Online: Jan 5th, 2017 00:29 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Copenhagen	Good job! Safety first! __________________ '64 131, '64 221, '64 222, '96 945

Jul 26th, 2009, 21:12	#4
Alf ista Premier Member Last Online: Jun 6th, 2024 13:55 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Co. Cork, Ireland.	I used chrome paint on mine recently and it made a great job. Very neat too. Reflective tape would be even brighter though, I imagine. I think this came up in a thread a few months ago, thats where I found out to use chrome paint. __________________ 1970 Volvo Amazon 131 with a B20A and an M40.

Jul 27th, 2009, 11:29	#6
archieboy69 Member Last Online: Apr 28th, 2012 09:27 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Reading/Oxford	Thats made a real difference, well done. I was thinking about led bulbs, anybody tried them? Stu

Jul 27th, 2009, 11:32	#7
Ron Kwas Premier Member Last Online: Today 00:51 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut, USA	Forum; I've never been impressed with the "chrome" paints, so I just use and recommend the adhesive backed (real metal) aluminum tape used by proffesionals for sealing heating and cooling ducts...not to be confused with silver colored plastic duct tape (which doesn't have the reflective properties and would not survive the heat I expect). ...and for best results, don't forget restoring and optimizing all of the connections in the current path in order to minimize voltage drops and get the maximun voltage at lamps...for details, see: http://sw-em.com/Amazon_Rear_Light_F...estoration.htm Cheers from Connecticut!

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