Headlight Restoration
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Topic author - Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2022 9:00 pm
- First Name: Bob
- Last Name: Thompson
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Model T Touring
- Location: Blenheim, Ontario
- MTFCA Number: 155
Headlight Restoration
Hello All, I am restoring my Model T 1914 headlights. Would anyone know the shade of back paint I should be painting the inside of the headlight housing (glossy black, satin black, flat back, jet black) ?? Bob
Re: Headlight Restoration
I am not the authority on the subject, but after looking at a couple of original unmolested brass lamps, the paint looks like a flat black to me. This makes sense to me as I assume they wanted to minimize internal reflections in the lamp. Of course, I could also be looking at oxidized paint after lo these many years. I too am interested in knowing the precise answer to your question.
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- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
- First Name: Les
- Last Name: Schubert
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
- Location: Calgary
Re: Headlight Restoration
I can’t imagine that they were originally painted differently inside than the outside.
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- Posts: 1397
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2022 11:24 am
- First Name: Rich
- Last Name: Bingham
- Location: Blackfoot, Idaho
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: Headlight Restoration
I agree with Les. Mine were restored 20+ years ago same paint inside and out. The reflecting mirror focuses the light beam, any gloss from the inside of the bucket doesn't affect that.
Get a horse !
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- Posts: 6815
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Eagle
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
- Location: Idaho Falls, ID
- MTFCA Number: 1219
- Contact:
Re: Headlight Restoration
Most black lamps I have seen were the same paint inside and out. They may well have dipped them in gloss black paint. Quick and easy.
That's my theory.
Rich
That's my theory.
Rich
When did I do that?
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- Posts: 6815
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Eagle
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
- Location: Idaho Falls, ID
- MTFCA Number: 1219
- Contact:
Re: Headlight Restoration
This lamp has its original paint and even a run I believe was from the dipping process. It looks like it was glossy to me.
When did I do that?
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- Posts: 6435
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
- First Name: Scott
- Last Name: Conger
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13, '15, '19, '23
- Location: Clark, WY
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: Headlight Restoration
Rich
I don't doubt you for a second. Other than unpainted primer in small select spots that were covered with wood, I have never seen any evidence for anything other than what could be described as "glossy paint" on any single part of a T. Black or otherwise.
I don't doubt you for a second. Other than unpainted primer in small select spots that were covered with wood, I have never seen any evidence for anything other than what could be described as "glossy paint" on any single part of a T. Black or otherwise.
Scott Conger
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
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- Posts: 1397
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2022 11:24 am
- First Name: Rich
- Last Name: Bingham
- Location: Blackfoot, Idaho
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: Headlight Restoration
I'm sure many manufacturers besides Ford availed themselves of the same paint. I wonder who made it ??
The "any color so long as it's black" legend is misunderstood. The economy of "gilsonite" black and its durability dictated black pigment, because the varnish made by "cooking" gilsonite in drying oils was too dark to allow for pigments other than carbon black to literally show their colors. Gilsonite is a fossil resin akin to asphalt but much harder.
The "any color so long as it's black" legend is misunderstood. The economy of "gilsonite" black and its durability dictated black pigment, because the varnish made by "cooking" gilsonite in drying oils was too dark to allow for pigments other than carbon black to literally show their colors. Gilsonite is a fossil resin akin to asphalt but much harder.
Get a horse !