Topic: 1970 Mustang Taillight Housing Finish

[D0ZZ70MACH]

Can someone shed some light on the original finish of '70 Mustang taillight housings?  The photos that I found and unrestored cars that I've seen
appear to be cad(?) plated (trunk side) however when I removed the white paint on the inside of my originals, the finish looks like a hot dip galvanized
finish. 

Any input would be much appreciated!!

[J_Speegle]

Hard to tell - original ones even in the protected area like the trunk still age and I've never had the finish tested nor know of anyone that has.

Would not trust NOS examples as they may have (plenty of examples where many parts differ) changed the specs or change the protective coat.

Not sure my pictures are  any better than what you have but have never seen the outer surface that looks like galvanized - though in the same trunk space the trunk latch is easy to compare to.

How did you remove the white paint? Chipped off, scrapped, other method? Since this could contribute to what the surface looked like

[D0ZZ70MACH]

Hi Jeff.

Thanks for the reply. 

I removed the paint using a paint stripper because I wanted to leave the base metal / finish untouched to see the
original finish.  Only the part of the housing that was painted had the galvanized appearance (difference appearance
than the galvanized finish on the latch.  I guess I'll redo them in CAD which I believe is what most people do.

Thanks again!!

[Anghelrestorations]

For these I usually plate them in zinc and then give them a light tumble afterwards to dull down the shiny plating finish a bit.  That seems to duplicate the original finish from what I see on cars here in the trunks in Arizona. 

[D0ZZ70MACH]

Thanks Marcus.  I appreciate the advice!

[1970shelbyguy]

i'm on my third 69/70 sportsroof and all three - two dearborn and 1 metuchen all have a pale blue dab of paint on rh housing. believe my buddy's 70 dearborn boss 302 has same blue paint on rh housing too. anybody have same

[J_Speegle]

i'm on my third 69/70 sportsroof and all three - two dearborn and 1 metuchen all have a pale blue dab of paint on rh housing. believe my buddy's 70 dearborn boss 302 has same blue paint on rh housing too. anybody have same

I've seen small stripes and daubs on 70 Mustangs from those two plants also on a number of cars