Restoring my reverse light housings with molasses

[HT413]

Hey all, like many of you, my car came with some pretty fugly reverse light housings, no doubt the result of 40+ years of rain, salt and possibly a few years becoming one with the Earth at some nameless salvage yard. Mine are in pretty rough shape, with one much worse than the other and since they're a fairly fragile little assembly, I decided to try the molasses trick rather than any sort of mechanical method. So here goes...

Here they are - pretty typical rust.



This one is rusted pretty good, but still in one piece.



This one is in pretty rough shape.



Here we have our derusting solution, Grandma's Molasses (had some on hand).



Here we have some containers that will fit the parts without too much extra space to waste. Based upon a prior post http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?36965-Rust-removal-by-using-molasses , I mixed in about 8:1 water to molasses

And they're off to sit on the workbench for a few days before I take another look. Notice that I had to sit them on their sides - this way no air bubbles get trapped up in the housing, preventing the solution from working up in there.


Can't wait to see what I have in a day or two. Let's hope they dont disintegrate lol.

 

[eagleone1983]

I used a mixture of white vinegar, lemon juice, and salt to remove the rust on mine. Worked great and didn't do anything to the metal so you should be good. Although, even after sitting for 24 hours the bulbs where still a pain in the butt to get out. When finished I sprayed the inside with silver paint and coated the new bulb with electrical grease so I don't have to deal with that again.

 

[69 Charger RT/SE]

Thanks for posting this. I have two that are in the same condition (69 Charger RT/SE). Seems it's the round ones that are usually mounted in the bumpers of several Mopar years and body styles that all did the same thing. I have seen repos for sale at a rather stiff price and have considered making a pair from other available lamp assemblies as the trim ring is stainless and it's the lamp housing that is always shot. Looking forward to your results.