Last x Days Posts  1 | 3 | 7 Days  Search  Topics  Tree View  Help
  Soarer Central * Bodywork and Exterior * Tail light removal guide? Previous Previous    Next Next  

Author Message
Chris Kaczmarek
Tinkerer
South Australia
UZZ30 V8

Posts: 12
Reg: 12-2009

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

 Wednesday, September 22, 2010 - 09:07 pm, by:  Chris Kaczmarek (Wheelspinnin) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Hey guys I have some condensation in one of my tail lights and I was thinking of taking it apart to give it a clean and check where the moisture is entering.

I think I saw a guide on lights ages ago but I cant seem to find it. Ive only found an old thread from July but it doesnt link to the article.

So.. does anyone know where I can find anything on taking apart tail lights?

Also can anyone tell me whether its worth it? I saw a heatgun or oven mentioned somewhere... and that doesnt sound fun.

Thanks in advance guys!
Michael Mockiewicz
TryHard
Victoria
1JZGTE

Posts: 309
Reg: 09-2009

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

 Friday, September 24, 2010 - 11:08 pm, by:  Michael Mockiewicz (Mikez30) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Hi mate, unfortunately the heat gun or oven is your only choice to melt the sealant so that you can pry the units apart.
I have even heard of people using Turps to rid of the sealant glue, but you would be there for God know's how long.
The heat gun obviously takes longer than the oven method but is good if you want full control over not melting the whole tail lights as well, or if you just can't use the oven. Just make sure to do one section of the tail light at a time with the gun rather than try heating the whole thing.

If you can't be bothered with the heat gun or don't own one & rather use the oven, I've read of people pre heating the over to 250 & leaving in there for 5 minutes. Or wedging the tail lights between the oven door & oven itself & melt one side at a time, there is 1 or 2 or 3 different ways..

Before you have melted the sealant there is a couple of screws on the back of the tail lights to unscrew also. Once the sealant is soft, try using a flat head screw driver or something to start separating the lens & the unit.
Hope this helps you in some way or another.
Mike Triggs
Goo Roo
Western NSW
3.0GT G-Pack

Posts: 1517
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

 Saturday, September 25, 2010 - 11:39 am, by:  Mike Triggs (Mikeandimah) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Michael Mockiewicz wrote on Friday, September 24, 2010 - 11:08 pm:

I've read of people pre heating the over to 250 & leaving in there for 5 minutes. Or wedging the tail lights between the oven door & oven itself & melt one side at a time, there is 1 or 2 or 3 different ways..



Rather than pull the light apart, just put in the oven on LOW heat, fan forced, for 1/2 hour. That will at least get rid of the moisture. I'd suggest 250 (if degrees C) is WAY too high, would end up a blob- and even if for only 5 minutes there's the risk of the plastic touching hot metal which might leave marks.

I'd advise against pulling lights apart, it's really hard to do neatly, you risk damage, and to find the correct adhesive/sealant to reseal. You might end up with worse condensation than before!

When you have light off, check the little rubber vents are a) in place and b) not blocked.
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 5882
Reg: 10-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

 Sunday, September 26, 2010 - 07:18 am, by:  Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
I wouldn't bother with rear lights - unlike the front lights its very uncommon for them to leak, so its probably better to find a parts car with a good one and replace - whereas it kinda makes sense to open and reseal the front lights as even if you buy another second hand pair odds are they will have the same problem.
Chris Kaczmarek
Tinkerer
South Australia
UZZ30 V8

Posts: 13
Reg: 12-2009

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

 Monday, September 27, 2010 - 08:14 pm, by:  Chris Kaczmarek (Wheelspinnin) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Cool thanks for the input guys.

I havent really looked into how the bulb slips into the light "case" if you can call it that yet but I assume you can just slip the actual bulb with wiring out?

If so it should make a hole, and I was thinking of just running a hair dryer on extension cord and drying out the condensation through the bulb hole. Is there any risk in that?

Personally I dont think I really need to replace the light, it isnt cracked or damaged in any way and considering the winter we have had Im not surprised it ended up with a little condensation in the light.
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 5888
Reg: 10-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

 Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 05:19 am, by:  Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Yeah, take the bulbs out and dry the lenses out with some hot air - then when you put the bulbs back in, smear a little vasoline around the O-rings.
Chris Kaczmarek
Tinkerer
South Australia
UZZ30 V8

Posts: 14
Reg: 12-2009

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

 Friday, October 01, 2010 - 11:21 am, by:  Chris Kaczmarek (Wheelspinnin) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Awesome. Thanks for all the replies guys! :-)

Add Your Message Here
Eye Candy
Click for full size
Bold text Italics Underline Center Text Upload photo from your hard drive Make a List Make a Table Make an Image Thumbnail Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image Formatting Help
         

Username: Important Posting Information:
If asking a question, have you done a search to see if your question has already been answered?
Be aware that the use of SMS-speak eg "u" instead of "you" etc, will get your post deleted.
Password:
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message

  Administration Administration      Log Out Log Out Previous Previous      Next Next