potatochobit

iTrader: (1)

I bought some lights
the first thing I asked the man before purchasing was if they were authentic and he said yes
I told him I did not want lights that were modified and he assured me they were not

I got them in the mail and installed them
something is definitely wrong, the lights on the driver side are far larger than the lights on the passenger

is there a difference between years for JDM models? I don't know much about them

theorie

iTrader: (31)

You can tell if they are JDM or not because the authentic JDM lights have raised red & amber circles. (the black area is flat, then the circles extend out about 1mm)

Not the best photo but this shows what I mean.

Authentic lights:

moosejaw

iTrader: (6)

take a close up photo indooors and lights off and post it here

Happy Meal

iTrader: (21)

Kind of a shot in the dark but I'm actually coming into Dallas tomorrow sometime and can verify if these are the DIY modded taillights (I've done this to mine) or if they are in fact the 99spec's. Staying there with some family friends on our way to San Antonio for their sons graduation. Wouldn't mind checking it out. PM me if you'd like, would be cool to see your car too.

BlueTuner

When i did mine, my car was in an accident when before i bought it, and thorie is right, authentic ones will have the circles raised.

Gomez

Yeah, that's not right.

RXeckless

iTrader: (11)

Did you replace all three pieces or just one. I have a JDM car and both lenses are the same size. Yours in your pic seem to be different sizes, maybe different year?.

MazdaSpeedDan

iTrader: (4)

I just looked at mine and mine you can see are raised. Just check it.

theorie

iTrader: (31)

The photo I posted broke, so here it is again:

zeroG

iTrader: (28)

Yeah those are oem, you can see the lights bulge out a bit from the black area. Be sure the other side looks the same

theorie

iTrader: (31)

Um...those aren't the OP's lights. He hasn't posted a photo yet. The above photo one I found and posted to show what authentic lights look like.

potatochobit

iTrader: (1)

thanx for the offer happymeal but I dont really want to waste your time with this
it is also freezing outside

doesnt look like it is a circle piece, I cant really tell

is it posisble to modify the US spec to be the exact same large size as the JDM?
I dont care too much about them being authentic but different sizes is not acceptable

Happy Meal

iTrader: (21)

Rotary addicts has a very nice how-to write up if I recall correctly. Correct diameters and spaces and very easy to follow too. Hope this helps

Sephek

iTrader: (20)

Yes, the write up can be found here.
Thanks to theorie.

potatochobit

iTrader: (1)

well, the problem is the moron 'already painted' the lights the wrong size
I dont know if thinner will be able to get the black paint off without damaging the red?

I guess I could use my OEM lights as parts to repaint the insides...?
the exterior has a crack that is why I was replacing them

limepro

iTrader: (2)

Heat them up and take them apart, the red and yellow parts of your old ones will come right out and you can paint those correctly and put in the new housings. Or you can file a complaint through ebay and get your money back and get real ones.

theorie

iTrader: (31)

It would be a lot of work, but you could take them apart, remove the paint and then wet-sand the red/amber lenses to get them looking USDM stock again, and then go and re-do the conversion the right way.

moosejaw

iTrader: (6)

Id send it back and report him to ebay for a misleading ad.
You did say you did ask the seller if they were authentic lights?

MazdaSpeedDan

iTrader: (4)

Are you sure its paint? Maybe its a sticker overlay.....

potatochobit

iTrader: (1)

it might be a sticker...

I just bought a heat gun - 30$
we'll find out soon

I really wish your diagram was to proper spec theorie
then I could just print it out on sticker paper
you could probably sell sticker print outs on ebay and make some nice cash
but now I got to go get a pen and a ruler... lol

purerx7

iTrader: (61)

You can see our write-up on how to identify authentic lights here https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/%5Brx7-boutique-guide%5D-authentic-99-tail-lights-vs-seven-lust-us-conversion-vs-jdm-conv-845587/

Matt535

Good luck trying to get your money back on those.

I bought a set of 4 BMW M5 door sill trims for $100 each (they had the M/// logo in them, and mine were screwed up). The guy sent me a small envelope instead, with a scrap of paper inside it, that read "Thinking of you."
I filed through paypal, and gave them all the evidence, but they ruled in favor of the #$%^&*ing sleazebag seller. I lost 400 bucks on that. I hold no hope for paypal anymore.

You might be able to get the paint off the lenses, but normal paint thinners will frost the plastic and make a gooey mess (ask how I know). Gasoline/petrol may be a better bet. Its not as harsh on the lense plastic and may save your bacon. But test on an inconspicous area of the lense first, like the side flange or something.

Sephek

iTrader: (20)

You could always leave negative feedback, although you might not get your money back you can at least warn other people about their practice.

If you're really dead set on working with these lights then you might try using klean strip for the paint to come off, it will save you some sanding and polishing. Go with a heavy dose and let it sit for a minute but not for too long. Wipe it off and clean it with some microfiber towels.

I'm not sure how thick these plastics are so if they are really thin I would advice against using klean strip.

theorie

iTrader: (31)

potatochobit got your PM but my box is full and I don't know if my reply got sent.

Anyway, I'll fix the lights for you for free if you just pay for shipping. Let me know...

MazdaSpeedDan

iTrader: (4)

what ended up bieng wrong?