Restoration of Faded Brake Lights

[Jolls]

Hi Team,

I have several faded brake light lenses that I want to bring back to life. I know that I can buy new from Rares etc but I am keen to rework what I have.

Searching the net I have found several lens paint options, including: Nightshades aerosol spray, MTN 94 lens spray and SAAS lens dye in both brush on and spray options.

I have watched several videos (mainly US) of people spraying the outside of faded lenses and then overspraying them with clear. I trust that someone else out there has already done this successfully and can point me inthe right direction for paint and the best process to use.

My gut feel is to use a red lens paint/dye on the interior of the lense and diffuser and clear on the exterior if required. I plan to sand back and use clear on the exterior of the indicator lenses, front and rear, as I will be running an orange/white LED bulb for indicator/reverse lights.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Cheers

[Errol62]

Paint the insides was the go I thought too. Used to run coloured incandescents as well but I like the amber and clear led idea.


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[Jolls]

Paint the insides was the go I thought too. Used to run coloured incandescents as well but I like the amber and clear led idea.

Do you have a go to product?

[fcee]

    Have you checked the legality of painting light lenses ?

[Errol62]

Was a
One time ago Craig. I reckon I got the paint from Rocca Brothers, Bridge Rd Pooraka SA, so in the 90s.


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[Jolls]

    Have you checked the legality of painting light lenses ?

In New South Wales, restoring the colour to faded indicators and brake lights is legal provided the finished lamps comply with the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017 and Australian Design Rules (ADRs).

Requirements
Emitted Colour: Brake Lights: Must emit red light.
Indicators: Must emit amber (yellow) light. Vehicles built before 1 January 1973 may be permitted to show white light to the front and red light to the rear. Caters for FC flashing red brake lights to rear and while indicators to the front. I am wiring in white/amber LEDS and using the clear lenses so I can have the best of both worlds.
Visibility and Intensity: Restoration must not reduce the light's performance or visibility distance. Any tinting or coating that significantly reduces light output or changes the required colour is illegal.
Reflectors: If the lens acts as a retro-reflector, it must still function correctly to reflect red light to the rear after restoration.
Restoration Methods and Compliance
Minor Repairs: You do not need a tradesperson's certificate to perform cosmetic restoration on headlights or lenses, as it is considered a minor accessory repair that does not change the vehicle's safety features.
Painting/Tinting: Using specialized clear paints (e.g., Tamiya clear amber or red) on the inside of a lens is a common enthusiast method, but the light emitted must still meet the required amber or red standard.
Replacement Parts: Aftermarket lenses or globes used during restoration should ideally be ADR-approved to ensure they meet standard brightness and visibility angles.

Reference: NSW Vehicle Standards Information (VSI.64).

[Jolls]

I picked up a tin of VHT Nightshades Red this morning while I was trying to pick up some replacement fasteners for the old girl.

This was the condition of the two sets of stop tail lenses that I have after a wash in hot soapy water. Three of the four were significantly faded and two of the diffusers had faded to orange as well.



I applied for coats of the Nightshades Red to the faded lenses allowing ten minutes between coats for them to be touch dry. Three coats were applied to the internals and one coat externally to hide scratches and blemishes. The unfaded lens had one coat applied to the exterior. The unfaded diffusers were not touched.

The result:



The top right is the unfaded lens and itis ever so slightly darker than the other three. There is not difference in the difusers. I will let them dry a little longer and do a final coat to the interior of the faded lenses - I trust that this will be enough to have them looking equally good.

One pair will be matched with chrome surrounds and the other painted (yet to be done) so I can be original one day and flash as a rat with a gold tooth the next (if I choose!)

[Jolls]

The fourth coat made a real difference. It is hard to see in the photos but they all match and are now useable. The scratches have been covered, but some of the cracks are still visible at the right angle.



The lens top right is broken but is faded to the saem level the others were before I applied the translucent paint.

So all up the resto cost $24.95 for the can of Red Nightshades. I also used a bit of prepsol prior to the application of the paint. There is enough left in the can to spray several more sets of tail lights so it goes a fair way.

I had read some pretty poor reports about how the HVT Nightshades goes on: watery, drips when painting etc. I found that by applying light coats I had no runs and no issues with drips from the nozzle onto the surface of the lights. From my perspective it is a good product that saved me about $175 over buying four new lenses from Rares (not that they are in stock anyway).

Next!

[Errol62]

Happy result mate!


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