DIY Smoked Tail Lights using Purple Zep

[Barracuda340]

The chroming coming off that easily is because its put on with a process known as vacuum metalizing. This is how they "chromed" those old plastic gage trim pieces on old muscle cars. Any of that old plastic that I strip the chrome off of I used to use Castrol super clean. It would strip it to bare plastic in 15 minutes or less. Same process that's used on "chrome" plated model car parts. The ammonia in windex will spot and strip it off too.

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[NextTruck]

I always wonder how someone figures this out. It's like the invention of the sandwich.

It was when I got mustard all over my fingers.............

 

[OneAlienBoi]

I really want to tint our heads and tails. Would make the truck look stellar.

 

[Dad]

what are these bulbs??
https://www.lasfit.com/products/for...verick~yr_2022~zq_lariat~dz_the-whole-package
I will be receiving a Maverick lariat
Can I swap them out myself? And why would I want too?
ty

The bulbs are fairly easy to replace. No more difficult than most other vehicles. YouTube would be great source for how to do it.

As to why, except for the headlights, all of the bulbs for the Maverick's exterior are incandescent which draw more current and burn hotter than LEDs. The bulbs you linked to are LED's which are much brighter, draw less current, and do not get hot. Lasfit bulbs for the turn signals/brakes are more expensive than regular LED's because they have built-in resistance. Explanation and apologies if you already knew this: Incandescent bulbs have a higher resistance which allows them to blink on/off at a certain rate. LED's have a much lower resistance, so the current will stay off for a shorter period of time and they will blink much faster (hyper-flash). The Lasfit bulbs emulate the higher resistance of incandescent and so will blink at a normal rate.

Personally, I think the Maverick's incandescent rear brake and turn signal lamps are quite bright and saw no need to replace them. I did however, replace the back-up lamps and the over the cab lights with LED's. Since they don't blink, I was able to use a cheaper LED without the built-in resistors. I also used LEDs without resistors for the side markers, but opted for the expensive $50 a pair LED's w/resistors for the front turn signals. They are bright enough that I swear I could use them as headlights.

 

[robbyrob]

The bulbs are fairly easy to replace. No more difficult than most other vehicles. YouTube would be great source for how to do it.

As to why, except for the headlights, all of the bulbs for the Maverick's exterior are incandescent which draw more current and burn hotter than LEDs. The bulbs you linked to are LED's which are much brighter, draw less current, and do not get hot. Lasfit bulbs for the turn signals/brakes are more expensive than regular LED's because they have built-in resistance. Explanation and apologies if you already knew this: Incandescent bulbs have a higher resistance which allows them to blink on/off at a certain rate. LED's have a much lower resistance, so the current will stay off for a shorter period of time and they will blink much faster (hyper-flash). The Lasfit bulbs emulate the higher resistance of incandescent and so will blink at a normal rate.

Personally, I think the Maverick's incandescent rear brake and turn signal lamps are quite bright and saw no need to replace them. I did however, replace the back-up lamps and the over the cab lights with LED's. Since they don't blink, I was able to use a cheaper LED without the built-in resistors. I also used LEDs without resistors for the side markers, but opted for the expensive $50 a pair LED's w/resistors for the front turn signals. They are bright enough that I swear I could use them as headlights.

thank you!

 

[Dmthomp32]

I really like this mod. I’m interested as I think this will look stellar with the cactus gray. I saw someone else’s post/pic with cactus gray and it looks sweet! I need to head to Lowe’s and get to work this weekend. I’ve got a new tonneau cover coming as well! Might be an awesome weekend for the Maverick!

 

[PeeWee]

I really like this mod. I’m interested as I think this will look stellar with the cactus gray. I saw someone else’s post/pic with cactus gray and it looks sweet! I need to head to Lowe’s and get to work this weekend. I’ve got a new tonneau cover coming as well! Might be an awesome weekend for the Maverick!

Excited for you. Post your after pics when you’re finished.

 

[JimParker256]

Probably by accident. Someone had a chrome part come in prolonged contact with the Zep and said, "Crud, I really screwed this up!", and his buddy said, "Wait a minute, Bob." " I think you're on to something".

You left out "Here, hold my beer..."

 

[JimParker256]

I really want to tint our heads and tails. Would make the truck look stellar.

Just go for it, dude. We won't judge you no matter what color you tint your head and ass. But you WILL get bonus points if you color-match to your Maverick! Sorry - I probably didn't get enough sleep last night...

 

[Dad]

thank you!

You are welcome!

 

[Dad]

Just go for it, dude. We won't judge you no matter what color you tint your head and ass. But you WILL get bonus points if you color-match to your Maverick! Sorry - I probably didn't get enough sleep last night...

You''re on roll!

 

[Jamers99]

Do you guys think the reduced light emission by removing the chrome's more than made up for by swapping out the brake and backup lights with LasFit LED's?

 

[FunctionSpec]

Do you guys think the reduced light emission by removing the chrome's more than made up for by swapping out the brake and backup lights with LasFit LED's?

There are two posted videos on page 2 for the brake/signal lights using LASFIT LED, one at night and one during the day.

 

[FunctionSpec]

Once you remove the chrome, it's like a "black chrome" surface underneath it. It still reflects light but not as well as actual chrome itself but you probably won't notice the difference unless you put them side by side.

The LED headlights uses the chrome surface of the reflector to reflect light off of to give an even beam pattern and cut off point.

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