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I've never heard of this company before. A quick search shows Fiero enthusiasts have been getting their parts, so this looks promising.
First thing I'd do is drill a hole for a tiny screw so it's not just goop holding it.
Definitely not cheap, but a part that many of us can use. I would like to see how well they are made compared to the original lenses. Having a few sets of these would fix quite a few of my tail light assemblies!
Definitely not cheap, but a part that many of us can use. I would like to see how well they are made compared to the original lenses. Having a few sets of these would fix quite a few of my tail light assemblies!
They are pricey but not out of line with other replacements that have been available. Most likely there's an expensive minimum for tooling injection molding. PAC Performance used to sell a pair for $600AUD which comes to almost $400USD.
Victoria British/Black Dragon used to sell one side for over $200 and that was 10 years ago.
Not sure if it's been stated yet, but that's a PRE-ORDER for 15 sets due to be complete in Jan/Feb and a $45 shipping rebate (*off of $375) for Lower 48 ship addresses.
They're not made, yet. We don't know what the quality will look like. Feels like someone testing the water for demand - so may not even ever happen, but I hope it does.
I took the plunge and got a pair.
Fitment is spot on. I'm not taking the protective wrap off until they go on the car.
The pieces in the little bag are attached to the end that wraps around the corner. Is that factory? They must have always been missing on my car.
I didn't buy the separate foam tape to attach them, I'm planning on using windshield adhesive to glue them on. Or maybe even drilling a hole for a tiny screw because I don't want these flying off.
Hard to tell what those little pieces are as the picture is small. Post a close-up so we can see it but I don't recall seeing that piece when I disassembled and replaced my lens.
I would recommend against using windshield adhesive as it will be there forever! Use some black silicone (I used the one from hd) and don't use too much as it will ooze out on the inside when you put the lens on.
The saying "less is more" applies here.
I do not recommend drilling a hole as it could lead to cracking.
Once it's sealed to the inner housing it should provide a strong bond that it won't fly off.
Can you post a picture of the foam tape they were selling to attach these to the housing? OEM used glue to hold the lens/housing together and it has lasted for many years, so I can't imagine tape being a better option, but I'm curious how it works.
Hard to tell what those little pieces are as the picture is small. Post a close-up so we can see it but I don't recall seeing that piece when I disassembled and replaced my lens.
Can you post a picture of the foam tape they were selling to attach these to the housing? OEM used glue to hold the lens/housing together and it has lasted for many years, so I can't imagine tape being a better option, but I'm curious how it works.
Below is a shot of the right side corner piece inserted with the left side on the table.
Butyl Tape might be a good solution...that stuff grabs like crazy, is waterproof (think door vapor barriers), doesn't run or migrate over time, and is very controllable in applying it to surfaces. I refurbed a tail light and used black silicon. It was difficult to get the right amount without overflow into the visible area while also being sufficient in volume to ensure a good seal.
Also, regarding the little clip: On the OE part you can see it in my photos below. It holds the edge of the lens to the return portion of the inner shell...
I remember that clip on my lens when I separated it from the housing.
Maybe the butyl tape might work, someone would have to give it a try lol, but boy is it messy and over time (like 20+ years) it does start to kind of melt and become sticky.
I wonder what Mazda used on our cars. If I remember correctly it's white/ivory and being this old was cracking/falling off, unless I'm thinking of another car I was working on...
I've seen both black and 'clear' adhesive for the OE lens glue. I'm sure the clear stuff (which gets yellow over time) was a hot glue as it came free with a heat gun. I assume the black stuff is also hot glue.
I ordered and received 2 sets of lenses, and they appear to be high quality pieces. I have not attempted to install them yet. Fermin of Fercego Plastics recommended hot glue to bond the lens to the housing. When I mentioned silicone, he thought that was also a good material to use. He also sugested removing the reflectors and spraying them with clear coat for appearance. Collectively, I hope we can figure out a best practice. Thanks to all for the pictures; they're very helpful.
BTW -- this is a high interest item for me because my turbo car shoots flames that burn up lenses. And yes -- I'm working on turning down the flames.
Butyl tape works good I used it on a friend's taillight when I restored it for him. You can get it perfect, and it grabs on. Its been on his taillight for over a year, and he hasn't had any problems with it!
I ended up using 3M 560 since it's made for plastics, even though I was very careful with application a little bit still got smudged on the corner lens and it dries black.
So butyl tape is probably the way to go. I didn't like how applying that involved heating up the housing with a heat gun or oven.
When dry fitting I noticed only the outer edge of the housing is what contacts the lens, so I tried to keep the sealant applied to that area and not touch the inside edge.
I started attaching the lens by the reverse light but the smudge happened when wrapping it around the corner. It may have worked better if I clamped the housing to a table and used both hands to flex the lens over.
Clamped it overnight with binder clips and thick paper on the lens side.
it came out looking alright.
I need to reseal my SA rear lights. I wonder if the butyl tape would work for that? I was thinking of using silicon but its so messy.
I believe the SA tail lights are built a little different. The factory foam rubber seal installs on the housing, actually fitting over and around the housing, so that the one seal cushions both the whole assembly to the body and also the lens to the outside of the housing. There are specific RH and LH seals.
I believe the factory ones are NLA but there are a couple places that sell reproductions. Phill's and one other place I can't remember right off. https://www.ebay.com/itm/265280375357
I've heard complaints about the ones from Phill's being too thick, but I've used them with good results.
