DKNDesign

Hi guys,

I recently purchased an 03 SE, I had a '97 SE, sold it 2 years ago and was kicking myself 2 weeks later.... great to be back.

My question is if I can crack open my tailight housing to paint the current silver finish to match the exterior of the car (Burgandy) I don't like the aftermarket taillights, but would like to try to paint the inside. I want to be able to seal the housing back up so that no moisture accumulates in the housing.

P.S. Did I get a good deal? It has 45K, Great Condition, drilled and slotted rotors, Injen Cold air intake for $15.5K. The woman I bought it from got it from her husband in a divorce. i think I did ok, just checking...

young1976

the 4th gen tailights, you could heat and separate. I think the 5th gens are glued... you might have to cut it open... not sure though. I haven't tried to crack them open on a set of all red tails.

ChromeSE5

iTrader: (3)

there was a thread about this a long time ago, they are really sealed in tight making ti very difficult to open without cracking the glass.

i wonder if the person you got it from is on this forum... lol.

tothemax319

Do you happen to have the link to this forum? I want to seperate my housings and smoke the chrome and amber part of the light. If I can't split the housing or end up breaking it, I'll just get a pair of 2k-2k1 black tails anyway.

ChromeSE5

iTrader: (3)

sorry, dont have the link. Another option, which someone did, was to red out the amber and tint the whole tail light a shade darker. it looked pretty nice imo.

tothemax319

Any how-to's of this?? I have heard of it being done, but I don't know how to color the amber without taking the housing apart.

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

Some ideas in here...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ht+paint+amber

KCMC582

iTrader: (4)

i always thought it was strange that it was so easy to heat up the headlights and take them apart to clear them, but seemingly damn near impossible to do it to the tail lights.

tothemax319

Thanks for the link puppetmaster... Well it's snowing again in Mass and the Max is tucked in the garage. I have the day off and i'm bored. It looks like my tails might be playing the role of guinea pigs today. I'll be sure to take pictures if they don't end up completely destroyed

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

No problem... membership does have its perks... and search functions...

MaximaPolak

iTrader: (9)

Are you painting them or are you cutting them open?

If you plan to cut them open, take my advice. Don't waist your time, you'll regret it.

tothemax319

Planning on using the dremel to cut it apart. I won't really regret anything if it goes wrong, the clear tails imo look horrible on my black car. For me the only options are to begin the "disection", or order the 2k1's. Anyone wishing they had 2k2 tails on their 2k-2k1??? ... Speak now or forever hold you peace.

DKNDesign

What I was wanting to do was paint the area surrounding the lights, not the clear cover, or the lights themselves. It is currently Silver. It does not sound like I'm going to be able to do it without a big hassle. Thanks for the help.

k2a2b

iTrader: (1)

That's what I was thinkin about doin...def post some pics if you go through with it...I was thinkin it would look something like the smoked is300 tails

ZIPPIN

iTrader: (32)

someone here actually used the dremel to open them. they failed. i also saw the tails on ebay. they looked crappy...

ZIPPIN

iTrader: (32)

for sale for 200+ bucks

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...951810030&rd=1

bigsherv

iTrader: (1)

are the side markers on ebay any good?

DKNDesign

I just took out my left tail, it's not going to be easy, dremel and a cut-off wheel are going to be involved... If anyone wants to trade some 2K1 tails with Black backgrounds, let me know, I may be interested.

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

Good idea... I swapped out my 02 tails for some 01 SE tails... you could also try eBay or a junkyard...

Another alternative would be to get those all red GXE/GLE tails and paint/tint em on the outside... like this:

http://www.kevinfisher.net/web_serve...light-mod.html

Nomad

iTrader: (5)

man i can trade mines if your's in good condition??? mine are sparkling can upload some pics BTW I got 2k1 GXE. But planning to mod them if can not trade.

P.S. guys can anyone answer me? if i can take apart my 2k1s tails? or ones clear from customenterprise?
Thanks

DKNDesign

I would be looking for the SE Tails with the black, If I trade I do not want to have to mod them. Thanks though. I think I'm going to go junkyard hopping, see if I can't find a tailight to experiment on.