Removing Paint inside Tail light housing

[Keith M.]

So long ago when Bubba painted the car or had it painted..."we" did not remove the tail light housings. I want to re-use them. I gave them an Evaporust bath which improved a lot but did nothing to the paint. Previously I had removed this same paint from wiper arms by cooking them good in Evaporust...which would likely work here but I fear unintended consequences, particularly trashing the rear gasket. The one in attached pic was entirely red on the inside and I have been chipping away at it with Swiss army knife and what not. It seems to want to chip and flake off but does take some scraping. This is leaving some mild/slight scratches in the galvanized finish but...meh...it is inside the lens anyway. It is however quite time consuming. Any thoughts on a better way? Acetone? Denatured alcohol.

Separately, you will notice one of the studs snapped off halfway. These are much longer than needed so I think I can re-use this one. The rest I will soak longer in PB and or Kroil....and occasionally let the heat dissipate when removing nuts. Won't letting the heat dissipate reduce chances of breakage at least somewhat?
Thanks!
Keith

[Patrick H.]

Re: Removing Paint inside Tail light housing

Acetone.

Someone didn't remove the headlights (!) on Dad's car when they repainted it.
Acetone worked great even 25 years later.

[Keith M.]

Re: Removing Paint inside Tail light housing

Acetone.

Someone didn't remove the headlights (!) on Dad's car when they repainted it.
Acetone worked great even 25 years later.

Excellent. Application method? Brush or dab on and let it sit for a bit then scrape? Or does it need like an immersion soak? Does paint dissolve in the acetone? Not an area I have much experience in. Thank you.

[Harry S.]

Re: Removing Paint inside Tail light housing

Excellent. Application method? Brush or dab on and let it sit for a bit then scrape? Or does it need like an immersion soak? Does paint dissolve in the acetone? Not an area I have much experience in. Thank you.

Your choice. The acetone will start to work quickly. Only metal in the acetone. If you soak, use rubber gloves and an old toothbrush to quicken the process.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Removing Paint inside Tail light housing

I just had it on a rag and wiped off the paint.
I was wearing nitrile gloves.

[Rod K.]

Re: Removing Paint inside Tail light housing

Just to be safe, probably remove the gasket before applying acetone.

[Donald S.]

Re: Removing Paint inside Tail light housing

Those studs typically snap off. I drilled mine out and used JB Weld to secure bolts of the proper length and thread; unnoticeable once the lenses are in place. You'll need the length to attach the ground on the double nutted side. Don

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Removing Paint inside Tail light housing

Rear Tailight Restoration Article Vette Signal0001.pdfKieth,
In 2019 I wrote an article for the Michigan Chapter magazine, The Vette Signal, on restoring the tailamp housings which included replacing snapped off studs. The files, one the written and one the photos is here (I'm not sure if this worked until I submit)
Jeff

[Mark E.]

Re: Removing Paint inside Tail light housing

The four lamps on my '70 looked just as bad plus several studs were broken. I punted and acquired a set of NOS housings and lenses.