1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

round lights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 07:29 AM
  #1  
Forgie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
round lights

ok I'm going to do the round tail lights mod. I'm thinking if I tint the outer cover as well, it will make them look normal during the day. Only show the circles at night. I heard that the round lights dont look that good when there not lit up. I'm hoping the tinting will change that. maybe I'll use colored bulbs as well.......might make them a little more vibrant. I know there's conflicting opinions on this......but tell me what you think.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 11:27 AM
  #2  
ioTus's Avatar
'84 5-letter
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,219
Likes: 8
From: Washington State
When you do the round tail light mod, the reflector in the center of the outer lense is going to make it look really bad at night.

because it is smack in the center, it overlaps the round parts a bit. bcause it is a reflector, it brings the light from both of the lense together. so, instead of looking like two round lights, it looks like one really weird shape, almost like a dumbell.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 04:46 PM
  #3  
Forgie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
yea I thought about that too. I thought if I taped off the rear side of the reflector with electrical tape it wouldn't shine through. how did you get your reflectors out?
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 03:26 AM
  #4  
ioTus's Avatar
'84 5-letter
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,219
Likes: 8
From: Washington State
paint chisel, go at it from the SIDES not the top or bottom. then you have to scrape out the rest of the red-ness.

You're talking about the one on the OUTSIDE of the lense right?
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 06:15 AM
  #5  
Forgie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
yea the one on the outside. I need to figure out what to fill the hole with. and I need to figure out how I'm going to make the circles on the inner lense. wether to paint it or cover it with some sort of black plastic plate.

Last edited by Forgie; Sep 30, 2003 at 06:17 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 07:26 AM
  #6  
Rx7carl's Avatar
Airflow is my life
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,736
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, Fl
Sounds like you guys got it covered. Just one observation. I'm considering modifying my round taillights and putting the circles off center to hide the center reflector. It does look like a dumbell btw. Dont you "technically" have to have the reflector?
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2003 | 05:24 AM
  #7  
Forgie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
oh no........I cracked the **** outta my one lens trying to pry it apart. this is a terrible the first lens came off reasonably easily. the second one was really stiff and britle. and the edge is cracked on several sides now.
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2003 | 05:29 AM
  #8  
Gregs's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 0
From: KING COUNTY, WA
if your interested... i have a nice pair of cleared lenses i could sell you....
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2003 | 06:07 AM
  #9  
Forgie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
I actually have another set on my parts car.....and I tried baking the one set in the oven for 15 min. and I was able to get the lens off after that. the red reflector didn't come off overly well either. it left little red pieces inside the lens where it was. so I'm thinking on the good lenses I might just paint over the reflector, or maybe heavily tint it with spray on.
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2003 | 06:09 AM
  #10  
Gregs's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 0
From: KING COUNTY, WA
yeah.... u gotta remember these lenses are over 20 years old and have been exposed to years of the elements... they tend to be verry britle under stress..

good luck with the project.. keep us updated

-greg
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2003 | 02:11 AM
  #11  
Forgie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
alright everything is going well. I tested the tint on my cracked lense, it sprays very unevenly out of the can. deffinatly takes a few coats to even it out. anyway I just need to paint the colored lenses and it should all work out.
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2003 | 02:35 AM
  #12  
ioTus's Avatar
'84 5-letter
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,219
Likes: 8
From: Washington State
you have to scrape the rest of the red reflector out of the hole with the carving wedges.
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2003 | 03:26 AM
  #13  
Forgie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
ok I've nearly finnished the lights. I over tinted the one set of lenses and it looked like **** so I had to strip it off with paint thinner. but they turned out alright the second time. so I think I should have them finnished tomorrow. I'll get some pictures hopefully.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
The1Sun
New Member RX-7 Technical
5
Sep 15, 2015 04:45 PM
The1Sun
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
0
Sep 7, 2015 10:21 PM
Murilli
Midwest RX-7 Forum
0
Sep 3, 2015 09:10 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:16 AM.