72 Headlight Stuff

[Rey S.]

Dear Members :
I wish to refinish the "cans" that the headlights are mounted in. What works good and is easy to use?
Thanks
Rey Stenhouse (26007)

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Headlight Stuff

Dear Members :
I wish to refinish the "cans" that the headlights are mounted in. What works good and is easy to use?
Thanks
Rey Stenhouse (26007)

Rey-----


Most of the C3 sealed beam RINGS ("cans", as you say) were painted low gloss black. Strip the existing paint, clean off any rust, and repaint with any good low gloss black. Bake the rings for 30 min at 325 degrees F to make for a more durable finish.

[Alan S.]

Re: 72 Headlight Stuff

Hi Rey,
In looking at my 71 'cans' I thought the black was a bit shinier than the semi-flat black of many parts, but not glossy.
So, I used Krylon #1613, (semi-flat), but sprayed it quite 'wet' which gave them about as much shine as #1613 can give.
Regards,
Alan

[Rey S.]

Re: 72 Headlight Stuff

Thanks for your reply but you have raised another question. Define "RINGS". If we are talking about thehe paint? same thing is there not too much heat for the paint when the lights are on?
Thanks
Rey Stenhouse (26007)

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Headlight Stuff

I am pretty sure my 1970 cans (that sounds awful, maybe even sexist) are toward the gloss side the last time I looked, but it has been a long time.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Headlight Stuff

Thanks for your reply but you have raised another question. Define "RINGS". If we are talking about thehe paint? same thing is there not too much heat for the paint when the lights are on?
Thanks
Rey Stenhouse (26007)

Rey-----


I like to use parts description terminology that is used by GM rather than various terms in the vernacular. The GM term for the part you are referring to is RING.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Headlight Stuff

Hi Rey,
In looking at my 71 'cans' I thought the black was a bit shinier than the semi-flat black of many parts, but not glossy.
So, I used Krylon #1613, (semi-flat), but sprayed it quite 'wet' which gave them about as much shine as #1613 can give.
Regards,
Alan

Alan-----


OK, here are some NOS rings. Both are "ancient" NOS. The one on the left is a GM #5948827 ("round hole"), stamped L-2. These were primarily used pre-1970.

The one on the right is a GM #595500, stamped "A". These were primarily used from 1969 onward.

These might be described as semi-gloss black. However, I think that the current Krylon 1613 is going to be too glossy.

[Alan S.]

Re: 72 Headlight Stuff

Hi Joe,
NICE parts.
To my eye those rings are semi-'GLOSS' black.
I believe that #1613 comes out of the can as semi-'FLAT' black. I hold it further away from the part for a dryer spray, (flatter finish), or closer to the part for wetter spray, (shinier finish). I've used VERY little of the Krylon #1601 (Gloss) and #1602 (Ultra Flat) on my car because there just doesn't seem to be any place it's appropriate.
I remember when Quanta sold 5 sheen levels of black, (they still might); I thought I could duplicate the middle 3 levels by where I held the can of #1613.
Regards,
Alan

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Headlight Stuff

Alan-----


OK, here are some NOS rings. Both are "ancient" NOS. The one on the left is a GM #5948827 ("round hole"), stamped L-2. These were primarily used pre-1970.

The one on the right is a GM #595500, stamped "A". These were primarily used from 1969 onward.

These might be described as semi-gloss black. However, I think that the current Krylon 1613 is going to be too glossy.

I love your "cans" Joe.

[Rey S.]

Re: 72 Headlight Stuff

Hi Joe :
Thanks for the reply. Sorry to take so long to respond to your post as my wife and I have been traveling.My rings may be after market as there are no stampings that I can find anywhere on the "rings". Mine do have square holes and are plated,one pair are gold anodized and the other pair are galvanized. from the looks of yours painting is permissable. I plan to use some color of header paint due to concerns of heat during headlight operation.
Thanks
Rey Stenhouse (26007)

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Headlight Stuff

Hi Joe :
Thanks for the reply. Sorry to take so long to respond to your post as my wife and I have been traveling.My rings may be after market as there are no stampings that I can find anywhere on the "rings". Mine do have square holes and are plated,one pair are gold anodized and the other pair are galvanized. from the looks of yours painting is permissable. I plan to use some color of header paint due to concerns of heat during headlight operation.
Thanks
Rey Stenhouse (26007)

Rey-----


These rings were finished in at least three ways: black paint, zinc plated with chromate (gold) overplate, or stamped from pre-punch galvanized material. Generally, the 69+ were painted but I have some NOS examples that are of the other two finishes. The "square" hole would be what I would expect for any 72.