military golight/spotlight painting: white -> flat black

[Maverick1701]

I have noticed that used white golights are usually cheaper and more common on ebay. If you want to save some money vs buying a new black model for your MV/Jeep/etc...there is hope!!!


Several years ago I scored a killer deal on a new golight from west-marine (had some gift cards). Unfortunately they were sold of black...so I ended up with a white model. I ran it for several years on my black work truck (first an expedition then a patrol tahoe).
Well our new rigs will be here friday. I did not want to have a black truck, black headache rack, black tool box, and a big white golight on top. I decided to tear it apart and get it painted up.


So if you decide to jump on a cheaper and more readily available white golight, there is hope!!! The process was easy & simple...don't be scared. I broke down the light into its individual pieces, cleaned them up using soap and an old toothbrush (I had quite a time breaking up 6 years worth of west tx dirt/sand).


I ran three coats of rustoleum flat black enamel. It turned out GREAT!. I can't wait to see how it looks mounted on my new patrol pickup.


picture 1: all the pieces all cleaned (mostly) and ready for paint


picture 2: all painted up


picture 3/4: reassembled and looking fine!

 

[Foxtrot Oscar]

Nice job. I guess you wished you'd done that 6 years ago!

 

[sigo]

Looks great now, but how well will the paint hold up? Is the housing plastic? I can't get spray paint to stick to plastic very well at all.

 

[Maverick1701]

Nice job. I guess you wished you'd done that 6 years ago!

hahaha yea. Back then I was not as confident in tearing down & rebuilding my toys.

Looks great now, but how well will the paint hold up? Is the housing plastic? I can't get spray paint to stick to plastic very well at all.

Yes, the housing is plastic. I have had good luck with this paint on my plastic motorbike fairings.
I don't see how my end results would be any different on this plastic (both are exposed to sunlight, high-speed wind, dirt, bug impacts, etc). I used an enamel for the extra strength...hopefully it will hold up against the wear/tear. I will report as time goes on. Our new rides will be here tomorrow...I can't wait.

 

[4x4 Forever]

Rustoleum and Krylon make a plastic primer spray that works good.

I used something similar, but forget which brand, to paint some outside plastic pipe about 10 years ago and it still looks good and won't scratch or peel off..

They've come a long way baby with paints!

 

[Piper107]

Just curious if you have an update on the paint job. I scored a white one as well and I'm going to try it.

 

[sigo]

I'd like to know what brand and type of paint is holding well on plastic. I've tried various primers and paints, I just haven't found anything durable on HDPE or PVC. What's the report on this light?

 

[Mrmag1]

In case anyone is interested I just found two of these in black new in box.

 

[aleigh]

I've found the secret to painting plastic is an adhesion promoter primer as sold by auto paint places. Learned this painting vehicles. I like Bulldog but I suppose any of them will work. Figure they paint plastic body panels all the time and the paint stays on right, even on flexible parts - this is how.