| TypeR202 |
09-12-01 07:58 AM |
Seeing as how I just finished a little while ago, most of it is still fresh in my mind. As fresh as it can be at 4:45 in the morning. So for everyone planning on doing their own $4 tailights, here's the step by step:
1st, plan on spending around three hours total from start to finish. (Not counting the numerous hours spent wandering around Home Depot looking for the right supplies)
I bought a five dollar roll of Commercial Grade black electrical tape (vinyl tape) that is rated up to 194 degrees F. I'd guess any black heat resistant tape will work, but I didn't like the grainy look of the duct/hose tape and the electrical was a nice flat black finish.
Start by removing the center mount stoplight guard. (It sits above the center mount lens, between the lens and the carpet of the hatchback) Remove the four screws holding it in place and wiggle it out. Then remove the guards for the outer brake lenses. Each removes with three screws (Again, "guard" probably is not the correct name for the part but hey it's 4am, give me a break. Either way, it's the piece of plastic between the outside lens and the carpet in the hatch. After removing the "guards" the lenses will also be free. To take them off, simply crouch down so that you are eye level with the lens and grab a hold of it with one hand on the outside (turn-signal) portion of it, and the other hand on the brake light portion. Give it a good shove outward. Mine were on pretty tight, so don't be afraid to put your weight behind it. It is simply wedged on behind two screw/guide type fasteners. Once it slides out there will be three light bulbs attached to the rear of the housing. Just twist each one counter-clockwise and pull it out. Now you should have the entire lens assembly in your hands. Repeat steps until you have both sides. Now the fun part.
There are probably twenty different ways to perform this part, this is how I did it. After having done it I can't imagine there is an easier way. There are six or so screws on the back of the housing. Remove them first. This will not release the outer lens, but they will have to be removed eventually and it's easier to do it first. Take both assemblies and put them in the oven. Yes, the oven in your kitchen. Set it for a tick under 200F and leave them in the for 10 minutes or so. This is a good time to go drink a beer, soda, Jack/Coke..... whatever. When the ten or so minutes is up be prepared to work somewhat quickly, this is time sensitive. The purpose of placing the lenses in the oven was to heat the silicone sealant that was used at the factory to hold the lens onto the assembly to a point where you can simply pull the outer smoked lens off. You can use a flathead screwdriver on one end to get it started then just pull it apart. It is extremely well stuck together so it's not a bad idea to have a friend there to help you pull. If it won't budge, put it back in the oven because the silicone is still too hard. The reason I said that this is time sensitive is that the silicone hardens again pretty quickly. So pull it apart before it has a chance to harden again. Now you should have the outer smoked lens in one hand, and the rest of the assembly in the other. I chose to remove the red and yellow lenses out of the assembly before taping them because it looked easier. One screw and push in the tab on the top of the housing and the colored lense just pops right out. Now....... feel free to do the lenses any way you see fit. Tape, paint, whatever. I put strips of the electrical tape horizontally across all the lenses making sure that there were no cracks in the seams. After taping it off, hold it up to a light to ensure that not light is coming through. If it is, just put another piece of tape over it. Don't worry about how pretty the tape overlaps, you can't see it once the lenses are put back on the car. Pick the object of your disgression to use as a template for cutting out the circles. I used a container lid for the brake lights, and the top of a salt shaker for the turn signal. Use whatever you want, those things were just handy and looked to be about the right size. But for all you anal-retentive types, feel free to use a compass, ruler, grease pen, or whatever else you need to get it done. Once the lenses are done, screw the red and yellow lenses back in to the housing. Don't forget to put another piece of tape over the holes where the screw goes to hold on the colored lens. Now you should be ready for the final baking portion of the project. Place the outer smoked lenses and the light housings back in the oven, 200F. Leave them in there for another 10-15 minutes. Then take them out and quickly reassemble them. Once you have the outer lense secured back on the housing, tighten down the screws and that will help reseal the silicone. Take the housings back to your car, put the bulbs back in, screw the housings back onto the car and button up the guards. Prepare the bottle of champagne, and have all your friends gather to marvel at your work. And don't forget to smile, you just saved $491 + shipping/handling
I forgot who wrote this..... Sorry. Anyways.... IT WORKS!
I did it for free.... stole the electrical tape from w-mart :D
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