Opening up the tailights?
05-01-2007, 08:52 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 158
Opening up the tailights?
OK, so I am attempting to paint the inner housing of the '06 JDM tails. I need to open the tailight. I planned on following the instructions from the headlight DIY by putting them in an oven to loosen the silicone, but it requires you to remove all hardware and electronics. It appears that you cannot remove all of the hardware and electronics from the tails. So my question is: Does anyone know what damage could be done to the electronics if they were exposed to 250 degree heat for about 7 minutes or so?
Thanks for any help...
Thanks for any help...
05-02-2007, 07:17 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
What electronics are you needing to leave in? I'd remove anything I could possible, but I don't think that 7 mins is enough to damage anything. If you left them outside in the sun and then put a heat gun on them, you wouldn't even need to put them in the oven. If you're painting the inside and applying a clear cover...then how are your brake lights going to shine red?
05-02-2007, 07:43 AM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Good Ol Minnesota
Posts: 83
Go to a Joann Etc. or a Michaels, or a Hobby Lobby, they have some 300 degree heat guns with a 1/2" barrel, if you can call it that. That worked great on loosening the glues used to hold the lenses and crap in the headlights. Try it ono the back too.
05-02-2007, 09:59 AM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 220
Originally Posted by Thomo
Go to a Joann Etc. or a Michaels, or a Hobby Lobby, they have some 300 degree heat guns with a 1/2" barrel, if you can call it that. That worked great on loosening the glues used to hold the lenses and crap in the headlights. Try it ono the back too.
05-02-2007, 11:20 AM
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Vegas
Posts: 314
Chris you are crazy...but I cant wait to see the car once its painted....its going to look sweet...and did you get those side skirts buttoned down?
And yeah, Brian makes a good point....how is the red light going to show through the paint when you break?
And yeah, Brian makes a good point....how is the red light going to show through the paint when you break?
05-02-2007, 11:27 AM
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 158
Well they are the JDM tails that have red LEDS as opposed to the US ones the use the outer red cover for color...
I am def. going to try a heatgun first, but I have a feeling that these werent meant to be pulled apart... hahaha... guess we will see... I am giving it a go today...
terrasmak, I would def like to use your gun as opposed to buying one. You busy today by any chance?
I am def. going to try a heatgun first, but I have a feeling that these werent meant to be pulled apart... hahaha... guess we will see... I am giving it a go today...
terrasmak, I would def like to use your gun as opposed to buying one. You busy today by any chance?
05-02-2007, 11:09 PM
#19
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 158
So late tonight I decided to go get a heat gun and give it a shot...
The heat gun is a no go... I was able to open the turn signal lights no prob with the gun but the tails are a different kinda silicone. I was reading about somone who did theirs on a G35 and they had to dremel them apart. I am gonna give that a shot...
The heat gun is a no go... I was able to open the turn signal lights no prob with the gun but the tails are a different kinda silicone. I was reading about somone who did theirs on a G35 and they had to dremel them apart. I am gonna give that a shot...
05-03-2007, 01:30 AM
#20
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Las Vegas NV
Posts: 502
If you'd like I'm off tomorrow and can try to give you a hand with anything. I finally got my new toys in and might get them put on tomorrow, depending on time. I gotta get smogged, go get my veteran discount for registration, go to brake team to get a new lug stud put in, then play around on my headlights getting double sided tape and paint/clearcoat off. Lemme know if youd like a ahdn with anything
05-03-2007, 08:35 AM
#21
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 220
Originally Posted by 702Fairlady
go to brake team to get a new lug stud put in,
Last edited by terrasmak; 05-03-2007 at 08:41 AM.
05-03-2007, 11:26 PM
#23
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 158
So I busted out the dremel and went to town tonight. So far I have a decent start, but it is gonna be alot of work, believe me. Not a simple open, paint and close case...
Basically, it seems that I am gonna have to dremel open the light, which also entails cutting off the black support that bolts into the car. Then once the clear lense is removed, I need to reconstruct the dmage that was cause by opening it. Which means I need to start grinding down and smoothing out the edges. Then fill in any abnormal holes or cuts with some bondo as well as fiberglass the black pat back together. Then I get the paint the housing and finally silicone it all back together. The best part is I get to do it twice (both sides)...
I finished the turn signal housings though and they look awesome. so that gave me the excitement I need to do the tails...
Basically, it seems that I am gonna have to dremel open the light, which also entails cutting off the black support that bolts into the car. Then once the clear lense is removed, I need to reconstruct the dmage that was cause by opening it. Which means I need to start grinding down and smoothing out the edges. Then fill in any abnormal holes or cuts with some bondo as well as fiberglass the black pat back together. Then I get the paint the housing and finally silicone it all back together. The best part is I get to do it twice (both sides)...
I finished the turn signal housings though and they look awesome. so that gave me the excitement I need to do the tails...
05-04-2007, 08:45 AM
#25
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Vegas
Posts: 314
Originally Posted by showtypeZ
Got any pics of the progress? Sounds pretty cool.
