ptatohed

iTrader: (12)

I'm long-winded, so just read the bold if you don't have time.

O.k., I have had my set of '95/'96 gen one altezzas since the first month they had come out. Late '01, early '02? Anyway, they have been sitting in my garage (next to many other parts) for at least 2 years (my to-do list is a mile long). I have not put them on (short of a temporary test-fit) because I hate chrome.

My plan has always been to open them up and paint the chrome body color (I know many people have painted the outside but I don't care for that as much).

Well, last night I took my 2 year old lights, my two year old, unopened Wagner heat gun and went to town. I started with an inner (trunk) light. I was scared to warp the plastic so I put a towel over the light at first and used setting one. Not enough heat. I kept the towel there and used setting two, I scorched the towel. So I went for setting one with no towel. I was scared to warp the plastic so I kept a 2" distance and I kept the heater constantly moving. Anyway, no problem at all. Piece of cake. A little trouble with the 4 'fish-hook' tabs but an overall breeze (compared to what I thought). Now, on to the outer taillight. I tried and tried and tried. I could not get it for the life of me! It would not budge.

Questions: Has anyone successfully taken apart Altezzas? What is the key/trick/technique to taking apart the bastard outer taillights? What is the best glue/sealant to use when putting them back together?

Thanks a million.

P.s. Anyone have any finished product pics of the chrome painted body color?

ptatohed

iTrader: (12)

Help? Anyone? :I

MrEous

iTrader: (11)

Try to get ahold of JnCoRacer...he has done it. Use email and PM.

ptatohed

iTrader: (12)

Thanks MrE. I really appreciate the lead. However, I tried and he has not gotten back to me.

Come on, someone must have done this. Help please?

Nismo3112

iTrader: (12)

Preheat the oven to 205° and leave them in there for 5 minutes, take them out and the lenses will glide right off...

driver824

check my homepage for the stockers.. but the same method should apply...

good luck...

blake

DAVE Sz

iTrader: (2)

With the ****ty quality of the altezzas they'll probably melt in a few minutes. Like said beforem the same method should be used as for stock lights.

mendon11

Pm Jepht20. i know for a fact he has done this and have seen the open altezzas. he can most definately help you out. good luck .
in fact, heres a pic

ptatohed

iTrader: (12)

Thanks mendon. Of course you are showing me a pic. of the inner lights - the ones hat I found to be a breeze. :I

But I will contact Jepht, thanks.

darrick

Jncoracer is my buddy and I was there for the 1st set he did , you really need 2 sets of hands for this bro,put the lights in the oven for 15 min at 235 ,then have a buddy keep heat moving as you pull em apart ,take your time or you will crack the lens. It is a little hard to get the lens started but when you do ,just have you buddy to keep the heat on the area you get moving and work em apart EZ as ,well no its not EZ but you can do it just take your time and all will be kool .

Oblongshapes

iTrader: (1)

potatohead have you figured it out, i chipped mine a bit on the edge getting those outter ones off, the inner is a breeze.... please let me know, im painting the chrome red.... thanks

ptatohed

iTrader: (12)

Yeah, so did I. That's why I posted this! I just figured I'd master it with my broken set and buy a new set again. :I

I haven't tried it yet but I feel good about it. I have Darrick's responce (thanks Darrick), I was finally able to get in touch with JnCo (thanks Jn, thanks MrE) and I have been busy but I will still try to reach Jeph (thanks mandon). If you need me to e-mail you the reply I got from JnCo, let me know.

Which one did you break Oblong? I think I broke the left one (outer). Maybe one of us can sell the other one their unbroken light. ?

ABK

yo can you put altezza lens covers over stock side taillights?

how much do altezzas run?