Poorman´s CHROME indicator bulbs

2692 Views 18 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Delucas, Jul 21, 2017

jan jans

Discussion Starter · Jan 2, 2016

A good new years resolution was to clean out the basement, so while I was at it I found a spraycan of silver paint. So I got an idea! If I just overspray these hideous orange indicator bulbs with silver paint, that would be the same as those chrome ones you can buy! So I ran up to my car and laughed for the last time at my orange headlights! >

I took them out, taped them to some iron wire. Don´t forget to tape the entire metal part of the bulb, to not lose any contact area.

I started spraying away.. Especially for you guys I left the other untouched for illustration.

I did three thin layers in total as metalic paint is quite runny...

Put them back in their sockets

And back into place

Et Voila, no more orange, but it still blinks and the metallic paint definitely lets the orange light through!
Nice little mod that didn´t cost me a thing!! If you don´t have a spraycan laying around at home I suggest you buy the chrome bulbs, because they are cheaper than a spraycan....

See less See more

6

Reactions: 4

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Delucas

· #2 · Jan 2, 2016

Good idea

But id imagine over time the heat etc the paint will crack off from the bulb .
But keep an eye on them and see how long they last . :smile:

jan jans

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 2, 2016

I have done this years ago with one of my previous cars and no problem. Mind you, I only recommend it for indicators as they only flash and do not build up enough heat. Don´t use it on bulbs that stay on as that will crack the paint for sure!

Delucas said:
Good idea

But id imagine over time the heat etc the paint will crack off from the bulb .
But keep an eye on them and see how long they last . :smile:

jbanks15

· #4 · Jan 2, 2016

In most states, amber bulbs are the law for turn signals and/or side markers

jan jans

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 2, 2016

When "on", there is no change in color, the light is still amber. It just doesn´t reflect the orange in your headlight when the lights are off.

jbanks15 said:
In most states, amber bulbs are the law for turn signals and/or side markers

Reactions: 1

Delucas

· #6 · Jan 2, 2016

Well original indicator bulbs start off as basic clear bulbs etc
They are just dipped / coated in a type of amber coating / paint etc

Which with time / heat also cracks up and leaves the original clear bulb underneath .

To use as a side / brake bulb on other cars . :wink:

jan jans

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 2, 2016

If the paint is to crack, I will update the thread.
I haven´t changed the indicator bulbs in over 4 years and they look perfect, no cracks.

Delucas said:
Well original indicator bulbs start off as basic clear bulbs etc
They are just dipped / coated in a type of amber coating / paint etc

Which with time / heat also cracks up and leaves the original clear bulb underneath .

To use as a side / brake bulb on other cars . :wink:

Reactions: 1

Delucas

· #8 · Jan 2, 2016

I bought mercedes original silver indicator bulbs for my 170 8.5 years ago .
They lasted that good i fitted to my now 171 3.4 years later and still going strong . :grin:

Will see you update your thread in many years later ........ ?

jan jans

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 2, 2016

Well there you go then.. You had these bulbs for more than 10 year and they didnt crack. Like I said, indicator don´t build up heat, these wont crack either.

Delucas said:
I bought mercedes original silver indicator bulbs for my 170 8.5 years ago .
They lasted that good i fitted to my now 171 3.4 years later and still going strong . :grin:

Will see you update your thread in many years later ........ ?

Delucas

· #10 · Jan 2, 2016

jan jans said:
Well there you go then.. You had these bulbs for more than 10 year and they didnt crack. Like I said, indicator don´t build up heat, these wont crack either.

The genuine mercedes alternate indicator bulbs that i used are not coated in paint / laquer
They are a crytalised type of bulb .
As in Not been dipped / painted .
So these will not as in paint flake off

Hence why they have lasted 11 plus years .

Normal amber indicator bulbs that are dipped / coated after a few years the coat cracks and flakes off .

And then begins to show white light and if it gets worse it is a mot failure in the uk .

jan jans

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 2, 2016

@Delucas No sweat. We spend thousands on our cars. If the paint of a bulb cracks in a few years, I will just take out 4£ and get new ones... This mod wasn't done to save money, it was just a little pass-time.

Delucas

· #12 · Jan 3, 2016

jan jans said:
@Delucas No sweat. We spend thousands on our cars. If the paint of a bulb cracks in a few years, I will just take out 4£ and get new ones... This mod wasn't done to save money, it was just a little pass-time.

No i like it

A cheap mod that gets rid of that ugly amber colour in the headlight .

Good on you .

etyu

· #13 · Jan 3, 2016

jan jans said:
..... If you don´t have a spraycan laying around at home I suggest you buy the chrome bulbs, because they are cheaper than a spraycan....

I like this :grin:

Reactions: 1

Florizoone

· #14 · Feb 21, 2016

Just clean the original bulb with aceton until the orange gets away. Let it dry afterwards for 10 min. Hard but take your time.

Windrestrictor

· #15 · Feb 21, 2016

Awesome stuff.

WarwickThumbNT

· #16 · Jul 20, 2017

Just thought I'd resurrect this great thread and say I used this tip when I first saw it - then used it again the other day to de-tango my rear indicators giving a clean white rear light cluster. Good little easy mod for very little money - if you have a spare can of silver knocking about :wink:

Delucas

· #17 · Jul 20, 2017

My original bought crytaline ind bulbs are coming up to 13.5 years old now :grin:

Reactions: 1

WarwickThumbNT

· #18 · Jul 20, 2017

Impressive Delucas :wink:

Delucas

· #19 · Jul 21, 2017

WarwickThumbNT said:
Impressive Delucas :wink:

It might be that i dont indicate much . :grin::wink:>

In fact in coming up to 5 years no bulb changes on my 171 :smile:
But front side lights looking a little shade of light light :|brown .

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.