1990 gxl, Okay.. the manual says that you can just clean the outside of the back and front of the glass. The seals around the cover let in water so the inside of it is really nasty looking. I can't figure out anyway to clean the inside out and it is really bugging me .... Or do you know where a good junkyard is in Kentucky that I can get one at?

 

take the bumper off

 

Cleaning the inside of them is impossible. Do you actually use the FTPs? If not, why not paint them the color of the car. Looks kinda cool. You can pick up used FTPs in the classified section of this forum or on eBay. You can also purchase them new from Mazda or Mazdatrix.

 

ive got a pair with broken studs ill let go for cheap. they are in good condition otherwise.

 

heat them up and take them apart. clean them. heat them up and stick them back together.

it can be taken apart.

 

quoted for truth.

ive taken a spare driver side one apart, very easy.

 

do you guys throw them in the oven or use a hair dryer or what?

I'm afraid that 20 year old plastic is brittle and could crack if heated too quickly...

 

get a spare and use that to figure out what you need to do, every oven is different, and most FTP's are in different condition's.

i put mine on a large sheet of aluminum foil, in the oven for about 1-2 minutes total (iirc), temp was 250 degrees i think, on broil.

check them often!

 

I may be doing this project over the weekend. If I do I'll take pics so others can see the process...

 

heating too much wont crack it, it will melt it

pulling on it before its soft enough- THAT will crack it.

 

heating to much will spider web the clear lens, if you heat it up enough to melt it to the point of not being able to use the FTP again, you shouldn't be using an oven.

even when warm, and soft enough to pull apart, they still crack pretty easily. the glue is fairly strong, and the plastic is cheap.

 

correct, if you heat them to the point they crack and melt step away from the oven !

I take for granted that someone has more sense then that.

 

kk, I'm going to try to bake it... Hell, if it messes up I'll just throw some seasonings in there and eat it.
Can't be worse than the Ramen.

 

+1

take pics of the process plz

 

Pics of him seasoning them and eating? Thats a little weird dont ya think?

 

There should be a little Hose portion on the bottom of the FTP.That acts like a Vent for Condensation.
Now,My suggestion is take a Drill and make another hole.Put the Flash To Pass lenses in some CLR,and let them Suck in some of the Solution..When there is some Solution Inside the lens,Swish it around then let them sit and See what happens.
Hell, if it is Good For Coffee Makers and Shower heads,it should be OK to clean the inside of a Dirty FTP!.Once they are Done,and DRY inside.(let it sit for a day in the sun,Until no Water is showing inside) then Seal it up with a a dab of silicone.

 

I would test that CLR theory on some scrap plastic first