Red Arrows' Ascent

The 1970 MKIII Spitfire had a unique and comparatively bulky lamp encasement on the rear of the car. Underneath are set two chrome scoops, inset with a glass lens each and an incandescent "push-in" type bulb. When one of mine burnt out, it was just as well to clean up everything. So I dismounted everything with the two small screws for each set (which were rusty), the chrome scoops (filmy), the lenses (grotty) and the bulbs and contacts. The glass was easy enough to clean with a toothbrush and mild soap & water. The chrome pieces (or are they stainless?) shined up well with some fine 0000 steel wool and some Windex. I went ahead and bought new bulbs, given they were inexpensive and assured the pair in the package would look the same installed at the same time. The contacts underneath the rubber boots were cleaned with some baking soda and water, and a toothbrush, followed by electrical contact cleaner. When dried, everything was re-installed and working like new.