Factory Dome Light Bezel & Lens Color

[cericd]

I realize there were two different bezels, chrome and white, depending of option level of the vehicle. This question is regarding the "white" version. Was it actually white or an off-white cream color. I need to replace my original and the replacements I find online are a bright white but my original lens and bezel are an off-white color. Do any of you know if this is only due to age or if the reproductions are truly much whiter than the originals?

I realize this is a nit-picky question but to me the bright white new piece just looks out of place since I was used to the color of the original.

Here's a pic for reference. My original (top) and a Counterparts repop (bottom)

[402Bowtie]

I'm pretty certain a brand new lens installed in 67-72 was off-white. However, even some later NOS lenses are bright white. I'm not sure on the bezel, but would guess off-white also.

[68panelman]

Original lenses have more of a yellowish look, never liked the repoppers
There is some on NOS on ebay being sold by the founder of Golden state pick up parts, Seth Doulton, who is also a new member here, forgot his screen name

[cericd]

I see a bunch of nos lenses on eBay. They seem to range from bright white to a dark yellow. Not sure which are his.

[68panelman]

Horsepowerproducts on ebay
Sorry I do not know how to transfer links

[68panelman]

There's many more pictures on the site I on how they should be the yellowish color, and I just ordered two for myself, thanks for the reminder!

[cericd]

I just purchased a NOS white assembly. It appears to be closer in color to my original. The lenses in the eBay listing you posted appear to be more yellow. I had run across that listing prior to me creating this thread. It's part of the reason I created it. I suspect that time has caused a color change on all the lenses or maybe they used a slightly different formulation over the years.

Here's a pic of my NOS assembly for color reference.

[cericd]

The more I look at these original parts the more I'm convinced that they have yellowed over the years. Especially the lens. You can see that the part of the lens that wasn't exposed to the sun because it was tucked into the assembly is considerably lighter. Here's some more pics just for the "fun" of it. Took a few with the lens and assy laying on a white envelope to help show the color difference compared to white.

All of this because I wasn't careful when removing the original lens. Went at it from the side instead of the top or bottom. Note to self: "Be careful dummy!"

[68 C10 Driver]

I think the NOS lenses are off-white to a yellow color is because of the aging of the plastic?

[cericd]

That’s what I’m thinking too. That would explain the various shades of white to yellow of the nos lenses available on eBay.

I did find a vendor that sells an “OE style” replacement lens. Their site claims “ These are molded in the original yellowish plastic to match original GM.”

[68panelman]

I'll post some pictures of mine when they arrive, the seller had many pics and one was inside the lense and it looked as if it was brushed with the yellowing agent. Remember these were not only used by GM, many larger truck series, cabovers, from International,Dodge, even some Ford trucks used them. We all know how bright these are with no lense, so I feel the yellow ones are correct.