shissqbob

iTrader: (14)

Hey,

I was just wondering if anyone had ever tried this?

Take one of those large suction cups from the automotive repair section (used for dents) and stick it on the center of the tail light. I think if it'd stay there for the most part the lens will pull out pretty darn straight, compared to prying out from each side. If that dent suction cup didn't work I'm sure there are others out there...

Any thoughts?

This:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...goryCode=3376R

Digitized

iTrader: (9)

it should work... but I just push the light out from the back...
the only downfall about a suction cup is, you are trying to remove the light will pulling on all 4 sticky sides/surface at the same time, which will result in a lot of force required..

the "prying out" method allows to loosen the sticky "guck" from each side one side at a time makes it easier to remove( when you are going to pull out the tail light after "loosening it", there is "less" black guck holding the light back..

But suction cup option is an idea..

shissqbob

iTrader: (14)

Oh, you think I'm talking about removing it from the car.

I mean removing the lens from the housing...

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Lens is screwed in, and how are you gonna push it back in.

IMO this would be useful after you heat up the tails to avoid cracking.

shissqbob

iTrader: (14)

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about Kevlo. You remove the screws first, bake the tail, stick the suction cup on, and pull....

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

how sensitive are the tail lenses to bubbling

this is the only writeup ive seen on making red/clears for 97-99
http://www.vqpower.com/v2/readarticle.php?article_id=46

i actually have a heatgun i bought for debadging and removing the pinstripe, but have been hesitant to tackle the rear lenses because i heard so many stories about people who either cracked their lenses or fried the outside.....

also, what is the material you need to replace the orange insert you removed?
what is it called/where do i get it?

will i need to replace any bulbs with a different color?

Digitized

iTrader: (9)

what are you using to hold the backside of the tail light during the "pulling process"?

shissqbob

iTrader: (14)

im thinking i'll put one finger in each bulb hole and if that starts cutting my fingers i'll whip out some gloves...

shissqbob

iTrader: (14)

ROCKART...

I think the best way to open these is the oven. Heat gun didn't work for me. I know you may get slaughtered for asking how to do it so i'd advise you search...but there's really not much to it.

You'll need to head to lowes or home depot to find the material you'll be putting inside instead of the yellow lense. I'm not really sure what it's called but just ask for the cover/material that goes over a fluorescent light housing.

The tail lenses don't bubble, I believe they only crack or break. You'll also need to replace the bottom bulb. It'll need to be either yellow (many don't use this because you can see the bulb color from the outside) or a silverstar bulb (silverish) looks blue-silver but blinks yellow.

ghrycan

when i did mine, i hardly had to pry, i found it worked better to just heat it up( def from the black side of the light, cause the clear red lens part melts and bubbles like butter) and pull it apart with your hands, if you pry it's really easy to deform/crack the outer lens casing. and when prying, the side of the light closest to the trunk comes off easiest, so it's best to start from that side. As for the material, you just use an acrylic light cover, I found it for 8.99 for a big sheet, it comes in the building materials section at home depot. Also. i live in Canada, and I had to replace my turn signal bulbs with orange, as clear turnsignals are illegal here.

Cdg2125

iTrader: (7)

why do you need a new way? heat them in the oven, not with a gun, and pull them apart. Heat guns are not a good way on the tails. They do not heat the light evenly and it doesn't let you open the light evenly. Put them in the oven and pull them apart. Just make sure your remove the screws and do not pry from the corners of the light since they are easiest to break.

shissqbob

iTrader: (14)

well my thought was why not have a 99% chance of not breaking if this works compared to a, say...75% chance of not breaking them IF you're patient and lucky...??

This could also benefit people who have someone else's tails and like to be realllly careful. (Led tails, clearing)

I'm going to get the suction cup now.

Cdg2125

iTrader: (7)

well there is a 99% chance you won't break anything if you take your time doing it the regular way. I don't think the suction cup will work well.

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

so the "regular" way is the oven way?

at what temp and for how long? or just eyeball it till its soft?

kzoosho

iTrader: (16)

I do 250 for 10 mins. Others may do it differntly

97SMG

iTrader: (23)

A bunch of nonsense in this thread. It is so darn easy throwing them in the oven. I think when I did mine I had the oven at 200 and left them in there no more than 15 minutes. Just make sure that the little screws are removed and you should be able to pry them open with your hands.....

ajcool2

iTrader: (43)

I used a heat gun everytime I did mine. I put my headlights in the oven.

BLACKonBLACK98

iTrader: (42)

i've opened a lot of tailights but today was the first time i used a heat gun. i will never go back.

i don't think the suction cup method will work because you will be applying even pressure around the entire mounting surface. i would be suprised if you could get it off like that.

if you pull from the area that makes the trunk line you should not break them.

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

so the heat gun worked betteR than the oven?

BLACKonBLACK98

iTrader: (42)

imo yes. but it also probably has a lot to do with me having opened so many i know where to heat. the oven offers more even heating.

kaneda_77

iTrader: (5)

in terms of physics... pulling against all four edges is much more difficult than one side at a time. all your energy is spread around to the sides instead of focused on a certain point.

I may end up using a heat gun when I finally decide to do mine.

kzoosho

iTrader: (16)

I have used ovens for years.

VANGtastic97

iTrader: (8)

heat guns suck b@LLz. i cracked and melted my housing and lens.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

I have used both, I have opened at least 20 sets of tails lol. Oven method is the safest IMO, much easier to crack the tails with the heat gun way or even warping the plastic with the extreme heat.

I do 230 degrees + 20-30 min so I barely have to pull hard.

kzoosho

iTrader: (16)

The master has spoken

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

and then to reseal them?

Dark_man_x

iTrader: (4)

ok well instead in knocking somebody else's idea, why don't you just leave it be and let him do what he wants and if it works then it works, if it doesn't then oh well. At least he is trying to think of something new to try that could possibly be easier. Since everybody seems to think that using a suction cup in the middle will be so hard that you will need a red bull to give you wings, why don't you just put the suction cup closer to one of the edges and pull from there?

I personally think its a pretty good idea.

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

just throw em in the oven again to warm them up and press them till they dry?

shissqbob

iTrader: (14)

yeppers. I trashed the suction cup idea..but used kevlo's 230 degrees for 20 min...works great.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

TO seal, oven 230 degrees - 15 min-20min and then push it together until it is sealed and no gaps. Then put the screws in...

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

aite thanks man.