Headlight bucket resto tips

[bossbob]

I've cleaned them, got most of the rust off. Any tips on paint colors inside and out. Or no paint. Looks like I'll have to cut and splice the wire if I want to remove it.

[Linusrp]

Unhook the wires (red & black) from the black H4 connectors on the inside of the bucket and pull the wires through the back hole. No need to cut. Might need to get a new grommet for the hole the wires go through as these deteriorate over time. I found some at Ace that worked like originals. If you can get them plated, cadmium is the cheapest, zinc is more expensive, then the buckets will last a long time. Painting I have never tried on the headlight buckets.

[bobd]

I put led headlights in and the socket is different, so I cut the harness and added vintage bullet connectors which can be pulled through the grommet individually.

[Linda]

I used Rustoleum Rust Converter spray on the backside to prevent rust. Front was some sort of light silver, I think, to protect.
The grommet kit from Harbor Freight has a good assortment, otherwise Ace has bigger ones for other projects like firewall etc.
Linda

[eye]

Primer and paint works fine.I upgraded to H4 bulbs. With a 90 degree connector in the back it all fits without any mods.

[bossbob]

Thanks for the tips

[Curtis]

I had this on the left so I bought new ones from Thailand on the right for $93.50 for the pair.

20200423_152715.jpg

[Linda]

Just a bit of overspray...
Yikes
Linda

[Curtis]

Just a bit of overspray...
Yikes
Linda

Ya, the whole frickin car has been one big over spray. Over the headlights, over taillights inside, over the parking lights inside, over the rust....

[Linda]

At least you are smart enough to fix everything. Pity the idiot, like me
Linda

[Curtis]

At least you are smart enough to fix everything. Pity the idiot, like me
Linda

You? Idiot no. Me, idiot yes for THINKING I can fix all this stuff which I know all too well now I can't. I'm still trying to get the rust repairs done. This damn virus is just taking too much of a toll on people.

As to the buckets, when I pulled the headlights out of them the other day and saw the red I can't repeat on here what I said. I started to clean the red off and weighed painting or cleaning. Then I remembered all the buckets I had seen on eBay. My choice was easy especially after I broke one of the plastic adjustment nuts. First looked for replacement nuts and then went to the new buckets. I've bought several things from Thailand and have yet to be disappointed.

[bossbob]

So, how do you remove the wires from the plug, do you just push it out from the front, any tabs or clips holding it in?

[Linusrp]

Using a small flat head screwdriver push each one from the 'front' of the connector out the back. They kind of clip in so go slow so as not to break of the plastic catches inside the bakelite connector. Dirt and such gets caught in there and can lodge it in pretty good. They should come out without too much effort, one at a time. Once you have all three wires out, slowly push the rubber grommet out the back and then pull each wire through separately. The hole in the back of the bucket is plenty big enough to do this once the bakelite connector has been removed. also, don't forget to take a pic of the connector BEFORE you remove the wires, so you know how to put them back in correctly.

[Curtis]

The Bakelite plug will break quite easily. One of mine broke so I found these. Comes in packs of ten but I'm going to use four anyway. I just ordered a pack. I will remove the clip and put on correct colored wire of a heavier gauge.

https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Headl ... a11439.htm

[ppeters914]

If you can get them plated, cadmium is the cheapest, zinc is more expensive, then the buckets will last a long time. Painting I have never tried on the headlight buckets.

Can't see how to remove the nylon sleeves to get buckets plated.
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nylon1.jpg

nylon2.jpg

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Are they removeable?