Original 65 Airstream Taillight Housing Color

[kaptainkw]

Anybody know?

Most, if not all, have been (or need to be replaced) as the ABS plastic is literally toast. In weathered condition they are a dull gray. Anybody know what color they were originally? Shiny Silver to match the exterior? Matte Silver? or Gray?

Have the replacement housing but want to paint it before going back in.

Thx!

[Bubba L]

Maybe someone with a 65 having the original tail light housing will chime in. Looking at Vintage Trailer Supply’s website, they show the housings they have in stock. They say to prime the housings with Rust-Oleum 249088 plastic primer. Then top coat with a plastic silver of the same brand. They never say what color silver though. Maybe Auto Zone’s Dupli-Color would be better. I’ve used their silver many times but only on metal. Good luck

[millers grg]

The ones on my 65 have been painted.

I think they were just a molded in color gray originally

[Hittenstiehl]

The ones on our 65 were the original gray molded plastic. The were held together by tape, patched fiberglass and sheer luck.

VTS now sells the replacement pieces.

Interesting Airstream trivia 65 is the only year that style was used. Guess they realized right away that was a poor design and installation method.

[kaptainkw]

Thank you everyone for the replies! Yes... the '65 is an anomaly. My existing housings are various shades of gray due to the various tapes holding them together. I have an earlier version of the VTS housing and it is white. I have asked VTS the same question, here is their response:

"We don't know for certain, but we speculate that it should be matte silver"

I also want a durable coating and have used Eastwood 2k Aluma-Blast which is a two component paint in a single spray can that looks like cast aluminum (i.e., matte silver)

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-2k...uma-blast.html

[kaptainkw]

I was able to find some relatively original 65's and both show matte silver housings. This is by no means definitive but seems to support the prevailing thinking.