Page 1 of 1
Bull Bar Glare
Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 8:02 pm
by Kell
I have not long got spotties fitted to the bull bar and I now have a really bad glare. How do I fix it? I was thinking either paint it with black paint (not to keen on this idea) or put some kind of black tape on it....how does everyone else fix it? If tape is the go what kind of tape and where do I get it if it is some kind of special tape.
Thanks in advance
Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 8:05 pm
by carts
I would just mask up the reflective surfaces on the back side of the bar, and spray them with a mat black paint. I did this on my old landrover with an aluminium bullbar. Worked a treat. And looking from the front, you wouldn't know.
Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 8:10 pm
by bogged
Just tape around the section that glares, and paint that section.. doesnt look bad.
Tape would look shitful..
MBDG
Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 8:33 pm
by gavinc
carts wrote:I would just mask up the reflective surfaces on the back side of the bar, and spray them with a mat black paint. I did this on my old landrover with an aluminium bullbar. Worked a treat. And looking from the front, you wouldn't know.
i used to fit bullbars at this place i work at and what carts said is thr best way to do it, it looks neat and tidy cheers gavin
Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 9:07 pm
by droopypete
Kell, I agree with the others, FLAT black paint is the go (try to get Belton, that is the best), but if you must use tape, we (in the film industry) use a flat black tape to reduce or eliminate refection, it comes in various widths up to 3" but 2" is the most common, it is available in paper and cloth reinforced styles and you can get it from all large photographic stores.
Peter.
Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 9:17 pm
by high n mighty
My parents have an aluminium bar and they used this tape. It has lasted about 5 years but then deteriorated badly. Go with the paint forsure.
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:22 am
by Samuel
If you want to go super-stylish, go to a skatey shop and buy some of the stuff you glue to the deck of skateboards. That will look good, and calm the glare!
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:28 am
by high n mighty
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:39 am
by Samuel
If it were smooth it wouldn't work, would it.
What do you mean?
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 7:52 am
by V8Patrol
Morning Kell
I'd wack a bit if black tape on first and try it...... this way the tape can be easily removed alltogether or resituated/enlarged/reduced for better glare control as you require.....
Then once ya happy with the effect then mask off that area and then paint it.
Kingy
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 8:39 am
by Meldge
Samuel wrote:If it were smooth it wouldn't work, would it.
What do you mean?
That stuff would work but it is pricey too, looked into some for my rear bar as a step tread.
It does not have to be rough, a flat finish is fine, but in Matt Paint, you would not want a shine to it, then it would reflect.
I think all alloy bars are supposed to have this (legally) even if they are close to the headlights, not just for spotlights, unless the barwork is a fair distance from any lighting then it is fine.
Kell, Painting would be the best option, just make sure it is a Matt finish, and it must be black.
Meldge
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:10 am
by Kell
Thanks for the advice peoples
Looks like painting is the go. I'll go and get some matt black paint and masking tape on the weekend and give it a whirl.
Ta
Kell
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:12 am
by droopypete
Samuel wrote:If you want to go super-stylish, go to a skatey shop and buy some of the stuff you glue to the deck of skateboards. That will look good, and calm the glare!
Samual, I think you may be suprised how reflective the beads of sand in that material will be.
Peter.
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:19 am
by droopypete
Kell wrote:Thanks for the advice peoples
Looks like painting is the go. I'll go and get some matt black paint and masking tape on the weekend and give it a whirl.
Ta
Kell
Kell, I think Kingy nailed it with his sugestion of taping it as a trial so you dont end up pianting it 3 times.
Also, mat black is good, but flat black is better (less reflective) the down side is that the gossier it is the longer it will last before it fades and thins.
Mask up well and watch for overspray, good luck
Peter.
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:48 am
by V8Patrol
one thing ppl forgot......
when ya ready to paint on the black on, sand the alloy bar with a bit of 320 grit sand paper where you want the black to go. This will help the paint to stick to the alloy better and for longer
Kingy
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 10:25 am
by Samuel
droopypete wrote:Samuel wrote:If you want to go super-stylish, go to a skatey shop and buy some of the stuff you glue to the deck of skateboards. That will look good, and calm the glare!
Samual, I think you may be suprised how reflective the beads of sand in that material will be.
Peter.
Nah it works, trust me.
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:17 pm
by Meldge
And if you have a tight hugging bullbar, as in close to grill, Just take it off, it's a prick of a job otherwise.
Also mask it first, then sand it, then re-mask it. More work, but minimises the scratches on the sections that you aren't painting.
Meldge
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 3:20 pm
by Badooky
on my work cruisers aluminum bar i used a matt grey metal primer,
worked a treat and didnt stick out like greyhounds testicles
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 8:22 pm
by bru21
any matt colour is fine. why not body colour or grey as suggested.
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 10:48 pm
by big red
move the lights forward ?
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 1:56 am
by MY45
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 9:06 am
by Meldge
BRU21 Mentioned body colour. This isn't the colour of your car is it...?

Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 12:26 pm
by bogged
Samuel wrote:If you want to go super-stylish, go to a skatey shop and buy some of the stuff you glue to the deck of skateboards. That will look good, and calm the glare!
I reckon that would look kewl too..
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 4:18 pm
by bazzle
Matt black. Buy a 10mm tin. Dont spray it, use a small 1" roller. Puts on a thicker coat too. No masking or mess.
Bazzle
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:16 pm
by Samuel
bogged wrote:Samuel wrote:If you want to go super-stylish, go to a skatey shop and buy some of the stuff you glue to the deck of skateboards. That will look good, and calm the glare!
I reckon that would look kewl too..
High
BLING factor.
But yes it does look good.
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:17 pm
by Samuel
If you were going in the Madi-Gras, yes.
