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Headlight bucket rust

mblotusmblotusMember
I recentlly got my cats eye headlights from Amerisport.
When removing the buckets I found some surface rust inside the buckets which can easily be sanded and repainted. But I found a worse case of rust around the bottom edge underneath the top lid. I talked to Kurt and he said this is common. I've also been advised to just wait to have it fixed when I have the car stripped and repainted, but that may be 2 years from now. I have to save my sheckels. Anyway this is bugging me since I have seen other owners pics of their new cats eyes and their headlight buckets are perfect. So, what do you think (1)Wait until repaint or do it now and (2) Who would you recommend do the work. We have some very good hotrod restorers in this area (read expensive) or should I take to one of the long time experts in the LA or SF areas, since I'm sure it will involve some fabrication of new metal. BTW, I in no way can do the work myself.
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huskerhuskerMember
MB, I doubt that the headlight buckets you've seen are perfect. The rust inside the bucket is common, especially on the bottom since 1) there are no drain holes and 2) quality of corrosion control on inside surfaces from the factory is iffy at best. Is the "worse case of rust" all the way through? If not, as an interim measure, you could use POR 15 or a similar rust encapsulation product to slow the process. This may provide enough time for you to find a suitable replacement prior to repaint. You will see them on e-bay occasionally. I think fabrication would be pricey.
johnnywoodsjohnnywoodsMember
I suggest you leave it until your car is ready for it's repaint. Don't go poking or scraping at it because if it's heavily pitted you could go right through. Then you will wish you hadn't touched it. The rust you are talking about is unlikely to be that bad if it's the underside of the top. Water can't really get trapped there. If you want to paint it with some chemical rust converter or red oxide primer, that's fine. I would just spray some cavity wax on it, and deal with it when you repaint the car. You probably can't buy cavity wax in your local auto parts store as you are in CA, but you should be able to get it from Eastwood. It comes in an aerosol can.

Johnny
George PGeorge PAdmin.
You can fix them now, or you can wait. If you chose to fix them now I'm sure a painter could match the paint. But if you chose to wait, I'll bet you don't plan to drive it in the rain anyway? After 30 years, a couple more years won't make a terrible amount of difference.

I say go with whatever you're most comfortable with, or whatever the budget allows. It is after all a headlight bucket on your hobby car. A wrong decision here is not the end of the world, it is repairable.

FYI, Kirk installed his headlights in my buckets, and painted his bezels to match my buckets. He did excellent work. No complaints here.

your friend on the DTBB
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