Headlight Buckets

I read a post from 2007 on headlight buckets but wanted to get input before I blast off paint and damage the original finish (like I did with my windshield hinges).

These are my headlight buckets and inserts. I cleaned them up with soapy water and a nylon brush and this is what they look like. It looks like the base metal is galvanized. My inclination is to install as is since none of this will ever be seen. Any problem with that? Is the black coating on the hood surface of the bucket something protective that is supposed to be there or is it from something PO sprayed in the hood?


Second question is what is going on with the inside of my headlight rims? Is this paint bubbling off or is this the chrome plating corroding off? The outsides look fine.
Thanks.

 

That is corrosion on the trim ring. It needs a good coca cola classic bath, inside and out. Then wash and wax.

The rest of the stuff I would clean and coat with something, even though it is galvanized I would still clean gunk off and coat with something to keep the rust off.

 

Wax like turtle wax chrome polish?

 

Use some paint stripper on the headlight buckets to get all of that red paint off.
Once they are clean you can hit them with some clear coat to preserve the brand new galvanize look.

 

The black is just someone's ratty paint job. The buckets were either galvanized steel or aluminum from the factory. Follow Kyle's advice.

 

Still need to fire on some clear coat and there is still blistering on the back side of the headlight rims, but a lot better.