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Something else to keep in mind here. There is no insert to be painted in the rears. The rear black plastic housing is *it*. So you gotta be cautious about how much you "maul" (for lack of better words) the black casing trim that the clear part inserts into. Similarly, you have to certainly selectively mask off what will and won't be painted -- by this I'm meaning to suggest that you also consider weather you will or won't paint "the fins" that sleeve into the the trunk bay, etc. Also, once painted, there must be a different level of attention paid to putting everything back together (sealant-wise). The rears are *completely visible* to too much sealant, etc., whereas the front assemblies one can "go to town" with sealant and such and its all hidden deeper in the fender area if you catch my drift.
These pics are of a set of taillights someone sent to me asking me to help them out. Unfortunately, what the person did to them before they sent them to me says it all in these pics. If you ruin them...they're ruined. That's all there is to it...
Yup, the pic above is missing one fin...snapped off in the owner's hand
Yup, the pic above notes a completely shattered lense in the pass. side . I gathered from talking with the owner that shipped these to me (purchased them used as a 2nd set) that he thought he was hacking into the housing in order to remove "the insert"...that...just...ain't...there! Ooops!
Look above...riiiiiiiight....DON'T do *this* to the trim trying to remove the clear cover. Because you have to remember that the same black trim that's being shown as "mauled" here, will have to be usable to hold the clear cover (um, not shattered preferably). And not just usable, but because it is as I'd mentioned before, completely visible to the public versus how the front headlight assemblies effort is all "behind-the-scenes" once re-installed, you have to also treat this black trim area cautiously. That wasn't done above...or below
[QUOTE]Originally posted by w1ngman
[B]once painted, there must be a different level of attention paid to putting everything back together (sealant-wise).
Here's a copy of the PM that I received from rateds2k:
"In contrast, I took apart the headlights in one baking at 225 and 5 mins max. They just fell apart."
I've baked and split two sets of headlights. My original set peeled apart easily, after baking at 225 F degrees for 12 minutes. The replacement set was very hard to pull apart, even after baking for over 20 minutes. I'm sure the taillights will be the most difficult.
I did receive detailed instructions on splitting the taillights from Dewain27. He must have composed it during his project, because there are many pics of the process.
My biggest problem (for now) is that I don't have my own oven, and my neighbor will only let me use his for a couple of hours tomorrow afternoon.
Looks like no matter what happens, I will be without my S again!
I found a large scratch and a mark on one of the taillights which wouldn't come off with Plexus Plastic Cleaner (photos below). I wouldn't want to start this project with scratched lenses, so I was already getting irritated.
I did a quick search on the net, and found the cure. I got out a tube of toothpaste, and polished out the defects in about one minute. I am amazed at how well it worked, the mark and scratch are totally gone!
wow! I'm impressed. I had a completely different picture in my head. That looks sweet.
04-01-2003 | 04:14 PM
. I gathered from talking with the owner that shipped these to me (purchased them used as a 2nd set) that he thought he was hacking into the housing in order to remove "the insert"...that...just...ain't...there! Ooops!
Good Luck Pete.
