How i saved a bunch of cracked, faded license plate lights

[jerry]

i can't stomach the cost of those plastic license plate lights. the last time i looked they were fetching over $30/each. that would be tolerable if they were more durable, but in time they either fade, crack or get hit. i had a small drawer full of damaged lights, so i decided to give them a facelift.

i used RTV sealant on the interior surface to seal the cracks, using my finger to smooth it somewhat. i even ran a bead across the clear window when i discovered a crack there as well.

i cut small pieces of masking tape to protect the window from paint. it was not necessary to get an exact match, no one will know.

a coat of grey primer followed by metallic chrome and they are good for at least another year or two or three, or.....

and now they match my chrome-painted rear bumper!!!

i'm guessing that my collection will save me a couple hundred in replacement cost.

i'd rather spend my money on weather stripping and go-fast parts.

[cxzsaq]

great writeup. do you have part/ brand names for the primer and chrome metallic as well as anything else used.

[Guest Anonymous]

Great write up. BTW I am looking for the greyish plastic you put under the rubber gasket, I ordered 1 set of the lenses they didn't send those, and I checked real OEM, there was no #. Thanks

[austinmf]

Those look great. And they are almost $50 each now! I would love a YouTube video

[scoTTlarock]

Great idea!

Wish I had thought of that earlier myself.

I replaced my entire rear license plate frame because it was rusted to hell and both light covers were cracked and old. I got a good condition used complete assembly and swapped it out, but then I threw away the old parts as I didn't think there was a way to refurb them.

Very nice

[Emyers]

Well done...I think I will give that a go with mine.

Thanks

Earl

74 02Lux

02 M Roadster

72 Volvo 1800ES

[SteveJ]

Great write up. BTW I am looking for the greyish plastic you put under the rubber gasket, I ordered 1 set of the lenses they didn't send those, and I checked real OEM, there was no #. Thanks

# 63 26 8 777 102 License plate light (comes with seal to base, but no light bulb)

# 63 26 8 477 106 and 107 License plate light base (There is a left and right side)

# 63 26 8 477 105 License plate base seal to body

[Kpeters]

Nice job! They don't look bad at all.