Taillight blackouts
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,433
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Taillight blackouts
I recently installed a set of those plexiglass types that install with double sided tape and they look great!
Except......
they are dust magnets! We all know a Vette butt is a dirt and dust collector but these blackouts are particularly bad!
I'm pretty sure they're a magnet due to their static charge attracting dust and dirt so now I'm trying to figure out the best way to neutralize that static charge (plastics generally make a really good static storage medium you know).
At first I thought wiping a dryer sheet over the surface but that just streaks 'em.
Except......
they are dust magnets! We all know a Vette butt is a dirt and dust collector but these blackouts are particularly bad!
I'm pretty sure they're a magnet due to their static charge attracting dust and dirt so now I'm trying to figure out the best way to neutralize that static charge (plastics generally make a really good static storage medium you know).
At first I thought wiping a dryer sheet over the surface but that just streaks 'em.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
Erm, you realize your tail lights are plastic too, right? The covers are no more likely to acquire a charge than your factory lights were.
The dust just shows more on a dark surface, that's all.
The dust just shows more on a dark surface, that's all.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,433
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Fair enough. But I still want to make them less attractive to dust and dirt, yes?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,786
Likes: 93
From: Charlotte N.C.
I recently installed a set of those plexiglass types that install with double sided tape and they look great!
Except......
they are dust magnets! We all know a Vette butt is a dirt and dust collector but these blackouts are particularly bad!
I'm pretty sure they're a magnet due to their static charge attracting dust and dirt so now I'm trying to figure out the best way to neutralize that static charge (plastics generally make a really good static storage medium you know).
At first I thought wiping a dryer sheet over the surface but that just streaks 'em.
Except......
they are dust magnets! We all know a Vette butt is a dirt and dust collector but these blackouts are particularly bad!
I'm pretty sure they're a magnet due to their static charge attracting dust and dirt so now I'm trying to figure out the best way to neutralize that static charge (plastics generally make a really good static storage medium you know).
At first I thought wiping a dryer sheet over the surface but that just streaks 'em.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
After I drove my car 1 day they were covered, and the rest of the car was not. So I know its a problem with the covers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
ERM, not true... they are statically charged and they do attract dust. I installed some last week and I have the same problem. I email Josh at RPI and he thought the same. He said he was looking on the internet to try to find a way to neutralize. If I hear anything I'll let you know.
After I drove my car 1 day they were covered, and the rest of the car was not. So I know its a problem with the covers.
After I drove my car 1 day they were covered, and the rest of the car was not. So I know its a problem with the covers.
Even *IF* they were statically charged, rubbing a damp cloth over them would completely drain all the charge instantly and for good. They are the same material as the factory lights, again, there is NOTHING about them that would make them more prone to attracting dust. If anything the black tint is most likely carbon based which would make the plastic static dissipative.I know a thing or two about static electricity... I was the engineer responsible for this stunt:
For a DAY afterwards spots in the car that had been hit by the sparks would give you the static shock of a lifetime. To make it safe for the press at the 2006 New York International Auto Show we simply wiped the car down with a damp cloth; it would snap crackle and pop and then be done with.
To prevent static electricity from accumulating you can wash the lens in soapy water and not rinse off all the soap completely; that is how static electricity is controlled in holding chamber for medicinal inhalers.
