port bow light isn't red

[ziggy]

hi folks, my bow light lens cover on the port side has faded so bad that it is only kinda red from up close, from the water it looks orange to white. i'm wonding if anyone knows what i can do to get it red again? paint? permant red magic marker? hobby paint of some kind? any other ideas. the inside of the lens is pretty slick looking too, wondering how to prep the plactic prior to putting it back to red. i'm hopeing to get it red asap as i'm plannin a weedend river camp trip and the water patrol will be out in force i'm sure. thankyou and have a great day boating. jim

 

[gspig]

Re: port bow light isn't red

Buy a new combo light at Wally World for $10.

 

[ziggy]

Re: port bow light isn't red

that's a novel idea gs, the price surely is right, thanks. though that wasn't quite what i had in mind. was kinda wanting to keep it original specialy as i like my old bow light w/flag holder. this boat has hope i think, new floor,transom,seats, rebuilt engine, just to name a few of the things that have been kept up on. so i will keep wally world in mind as a very last resort. anybody else have any more good ideas?

 

[skicat]

Re: port bow light isn't red

glue some red celophane inside the lens. People do it all the time for broken tail lights.

 

[llerrad]

Re: port bow light isn't red

Auto parts stores sell a red tape to repair busted tail lights cover holes etc and still give off a red light.

 

[sailor3X7]

Re: port bow light isn't red

I agree, I would probably just buy a new one. But you may be able to rig a temporary fix. Have you checked to see if you can buy a red bulb?

 

[JB]

Re: port bow light isn't red

Not an engine problem.<br /><br />To Boats.

 

[2MADAKAT]

Re: port bow light isn't red

ZIGGY, for a quick temporary solution, paint the<br />glass part of the lamp red. It will be hard to find a paint to redden the lens without dimming the light.

 

[ziggy]

Re: port bow light isn't red

thanks for the ideas. point taken JB. thanks. 3x7, i probably shouldn't do that one as there is only one bulb. llerrad. went with this idea for now but. the reason i got no red is after time i guess the bulb heated the plastic so much someshow, that it blistered the plastic. then the red started fadeing and comeing off. i cleaned the rest of the red off and put me on some red tailight tape from the inside. looks and works good but im guesseing it will melt, but get me buy for now. madakat, i like the paint idea but, like ya said, how to keep it opaque enough and get the paint to adhere to the smooth plastic. i don't know. yet. thanks all. jim.

 

[snowthrower]

Re: port bow light isn't red

If you wanted to paint it try dupli-color, they have a paint that it supose to look like anodized metal, I know of guys who paint the clear plastic over there auto gauges with it and it changes the color very well but does not dill the light much. <br /><br />Another opion would be to buy a red bulb. I don't know what type of bulb you have but most auto parts stores have red bulbs.<br /><br />Just a couple of thoughts.

 

[Terry H]

Re: port bow light isn't red

http://www.fiberglassics.com/ <br />Try these packrats...someone there is sure to have a spare lens...just a thought

 

[lakelivin]

Re: port bow light isn't red

what about using permanent red magic marker? I'd guess that would be much more translucent than any type of paint.

 

[AndyL]

Re: port bow light isn't red

Go to a camera/photography shop and get some red filter polycarb/acetate sheet. Cut it to shape and hope it doesn't melt with the heat of the bulb. Tempprary fix for the time being.

 

[rwidman]

Re: port bow light isn't red

Go to a camera/photography shop and get some red filter polycarb/acetate sheet. Cut it to shape and hope it doesn't melt with the heat of the bulb. Tempprary fix for the time being.

Theatrical supply stores or music stores that cater to the professional trade carry these sheets in many colors. They are used in stage lighting and will handle the heat.

 

[AndyL]

Re: port bow light isn't red

Now there's something I didn't realise. Good on you Ron.