Amber turn-signal bulbs always peeling - any suggestions?

[Blaine B.]

Hey, the amber colored bulbs I have in my front turn signals are always peeling, or the amber coating is crackling off.......

Is there any special bulb you recommend? As far as I can tell, this amber covering is most likely a shrink wrap sort of plastic.......perhaps some sort of paint too, I can't tell. Just looking for a lightbulb with amber coating/color that won't flake off or peel.

Any ideas or suggestions?

[GSequoia]

Change brands. I never have that problem.

I don't knwo what brand I'm using offhand but it's whatever Kragen carries (might be Checkers or Schucks if that franchise exists in Indiana)

[tommyr]

Try a bulb that has 'NA' in its name like 3157NA. Stands for 'natural amber'.
coating will be see thru, not opaque. I don't seem to have any trouble with
Sylvanias......

[JEEPZZ]

Exactly. Grab a set of bulbs with amber glass rather than clear glass bulbs with an orange coating.

[Blaine B.]

I just got some sylvania bulbs. On the packaging it said "A replaces NA" (with the model number next to the letters, of course)

So does that mean it is the shitty amber coating again, not amber glass?

I don't know what store you are talking about. I'll see how these do and then if they fail again, I'll try and find some with amber glass...might be a challange though.

[87manche]

kragens=advance auto in OH.

[tommyr]

I just got some sylvania bulbs. On the packaging it said "A replaces NA" (with the model number next to the letters, of course)

So does that mean it is the shitty amber coating again, not amber glass?
After reading this post, I e-mailed Sylvania with the question: Whats the difference between 'A' and 'NA' ? The following is there reply

""Thank you for your inquiry. Over the last few years, we have replaced most of our natural amber products with amber coated products. This is because we are trying to do away with most
of the hazardous materials that are used in manufacturing our products. The natural amber bulbs contained both cadmium and lead which are not used in the amber coated products.
The natural amber products could not be safely disposed with household trash and were not considered "eco-friendly". OEM--original equipment manufacturers--are pushing more
and more for environmentally friendly products.""

I'll make two observations here: 1) I'll bet the coating is
cheaper and they aren't passing along the savings...& 2) Somehow
its ok to throw away flourescent bulbs containing mercury...

Hmmm. :spin1: So get one with a money back guarantee -- if it peels
send it back.

[Blaine B.]

Hm, how about thermometers and stuff.......hm. Well I tried to seal up the light housing a little better. I still bet it will get some moisture inside from those star cracks from rocks. I'll see what happens, and how quickly. You can tell if the coating is flaking off when your amber turns to yellow :)

[Blaine B.]

Ok, the "A" amber Sylvania's seem to be doing fine for now, although it's only been two or so weeks.

I did, however, buy a backup set of Phillips bulbs which say "NA" (Natural Amber). Does that mean the Phillips bulbs are tinted, instead of painted?

[RichP]

I just did all 6 of my back ones, owners manual lied about the bulb numbers, all 6 were the same 3157's I think vs the owners manual 1156, 1157, etc.. All the ones in my 98 are white.

[tommyr]

Ok, the "A" amber Sylvania's seem to be doing fine for now, although it's only been two or so weeks.

I did, however, buy a backup set of Phillips bulbs which say "NA" (Natural Amber). Does that mean the Phillips bulbs are tinted, instead of painted?

Maybe--I was looking at Wagners the other day....Although the packages said NA they certainly looked like they had been dipped. I guess the only way to find out for sure is to ask the manufacturers directly. (probably someone making up the packaging doesnt know the difference between NA & A):rolleyes: