How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

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harofreak00
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How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by harofreak00 »

I had the opportunity to clear EWC88's taillights for him since he was getting frustrated with how they were going. I took some step-by-step pics of how I did them on my car. If anyone does if different than me, or has a better technique, let me know!

Tools/Items needed:
Taillight housing
Dremel with 1/8" drill bit
Compressed air
Masking tape
Clear silicon adhesive
Flat head screwdriver
Small pliers
Safety glasses

First of all, put on your safety glasses, this is a messy job. You are going to want to do it in your garage or outside since there will be black specs of plastic in a 20 ft diameter.
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Now grab your taillight and sit down in a chair. I found it does work best to sit and have the light in your lap as you cut into it.
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Use some sort of masking tape to cover the holes you are not working on. Granted the plastic debris will get into the other area, but not as bad.
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On the back side, you will see where you need to cut
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Using a dremel with a 1/8" bit, cut into the plastic using 2 steady hands. I used a wood boring bit this time because I found it cuts sideways really good.
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You want to cut the plastic at a small angle in towards the light.
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You will be able to see light through the backside when you have completed the cut.
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Grab the piece you just cut and fold it back on the "hinge" to get access to the orange piece. Using a small pliers, reach in the slot and grab the orange piece. It does not want to come out, you have to force it. There is a chance you will scratch the inside of the lense but it will not be that bad or noticeable.
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Pull the orange piece the rest of the way
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Blow the housing out with compressed air to get all the black plastic pieces out of the housing.
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Here are the cleared <span class="highlight">taillights</span>.
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At this point, you would want to apply several coats of clear silicon adhesive to seal up the light. Let it dry AT LEAST overnight before you put it back on the car. I would wait at least 2 days if it was me.
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UPDATE:

Here is how do to the center reflector tailpiece

For this part, you will want to use this type of cutter on your dremel.
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Here is the cut line you want to make
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before the cut:
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after the cut:
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pry open the cut piece, and use any means to get the orange plastic out. I used a small screw driver to break it up inside there, and then the small piece fall out. You can use a small pliers to pull out the pieces to.
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here it is, all clear
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then, use a pliers to pull of all the molten plastic
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it should be nice and clean at this point
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then, use more of that clear silicon adhesive to seal it all up. Be generous, nobody is going to see this except rain, so don't worry about overdoing it.
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then find a way to keep it compressed until it dries. I used electrical tape.
Last edited by Jrs3800 on Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by 00ssei »

HEY, I WILL PAY YOU TO CLEAR MY TAIL LIGHTS AND I WILL VIDEO TAPE SO I CAN PUT IT ON THE SITE AND YOU TUBE. PLEASE ANYONE CAN HELP ME.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by BillBoost37 »

I have seen a post on a different forum where it was found to be possible to clear the tails w/o cutting. It seems like a great way w/o worrying about the sealing etc issues that plague the cut tails.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by harofreak00 »

I'd love to see that link.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by TenGHz »

harofreak00 wrote:I'd love to see that link.
x1000 - but then if this was actually possible, I'd pass out from all the work I did.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by lglarum »

Wouldn't an epoxy be better for strength of the seal, then you could silicone over that just to be safe?
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by 00ssei »

BillBoost37 wrote:I have seen a post on a different forum where it was found to be possible to clear the tails w/o cutting. It seems like a great way w/o worrying about the sealing etc issues that plague the cut tails.
What is the link. If this is true, you'll be the the biggest help Ive had. But is it possible?

What is the Link?
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by MadMike »

ive been meaning to do this for a long time now,
if anyone in the chicagoland area is willing to help out, we can do yours too!
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by Pilgar »

This will surely mark me a an extreme newbie on this forum.

Why clear the tail lights.

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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by bonnevillain »

just for the looks. Many of us think it looks a lot cleaner without the yellow on the car.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by TenGHz »

bonnevillain wrote:just for the looks. Many of us think it looks a lot cleaner without the yellow on the car.
Yep, it's purely cosmetic.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by BillBoost37 »

Sorry about not responding guys. I don't check this section as often as the mechanicals.

The link can not be posted, as the word censor would change it. I am aware many here have issues with the old forum. That site is doing decently though and a new guy found Haro's post and decided to try clearing without cutting. Personally I was never involved with the politics and browse eight or so forums, which frequently gives me many outlooks on the same items. If you would like the link please pm me at one of the other forums I visit and I can forward you the link. There is no diesire from anyone to upset or cause trouble here.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by 00ssei »

just send it to my email alizindani2000@ yahoo.com
Last edited by Gumball on Wed Oct 22, 2008 1:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by Gumball »

I checked it out at BC. for those that want to just check out there Detailing & Appearance section.
you cant miss it.

looks to work just fine. Thanks Bill
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by 00ssei »

Gumball wrote:I checked it out at BC. for those that want to just check out there Detailing & Appearance section.
you cant miss it.

looks to work just fine. Thanks Bill
Which BC though?
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by bonnevillain »

well if you don't see it here... the other one.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by 00ssei »

ok will check later . thanks.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by Silverjet »

By the way, i have the same type of tails (black lined) on my 93 SSE
Please, can anyone show me how to make so, cause i'm afraid to destroy this items.
There are 2 ways: to buy a few red bulbs (scantiness) and clearing the taillights, or glue it with red and orange tape...
In Russia, I'll be able to find no tails of bonnie.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by 2000Silverbullet »

Forget trying this on your 93. Most simply lightly paint the entire outside of the tail lights black and clearcoat.
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Re: How-To: Clearing the Taillights on 00+

Post by Silverjet »

2000Silverbullet wrote:Forget trying this on your 93. Most simply lightly paint the entire outside of the tail lights black and clearcoat.
Sad...
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