REPLACING PERSPEX HEADLIGHT COVERS

[hotwire]

I have just purchased some new replacement headlight covers for my Griff. Has anyone had experience in replacing these, only the garage I ordered them from says there is a good chance that paintwork will be lifted when replacing if I try to do this myself due the type of silicone sealant around them.

If anyone knows of anyone on the forum who can fit these in the Essex area, could they please let met know. I'd rather not do it myself if I run the risk of having to have the front end resprayed.

Cheers


>> Edited by hotwire on Friday 6th January 22:20

[David H]

Hi David, I lifted mine off without a problem.

First I removed the pods, undid the 4 screw holding on the perspex then prised it carefully off. No sign of any paint lifting.

I just polished and waxed the insides and put them back on with Sikaflex.

Then I positioned them back in place and layed a beed of Sikflex around the light to seal to the body. Then with a wet finger ran it around the sealent to finish it off.

Hope that helps.

[Ballistic Banana]

I am sure I see something on one of the old TVRCC region sites going through this with pics, Bristol maybe if anyone has their old address?
Although I think David has explained it well


BB

[griffsmith]

Ballistic Banana said:

I am sure I see something on one of the old TVRCC region sites going through this with pics, Bristol maybe if anyone has their old address? Although I think David has explained it well BB

It was Bristol but I couldn't find anything when I looked a while back.

The covers come off the pods pretty easy. There are four screws as David H says there was also a sticky foam seal on mine. which would probably need replacing if you replace the cover.. other than that yeah just stick it back in with sikaflex. But I wouldn't use a finger to smooth it off, I used a wet tea spoon and got a good finish.

[Hoover.]

teal mastic sealars use their fingers ;hehe:

[hotwire]

Thanks for your replies. Might give it a go myself then and save myself some money. It's getting the old sealant off that is the problem but if it just pulls off hopefully it won't take any paintwork with it.

Thanks

[mf68]

hi david just wondering were you got the perspex covers from , as have to this myself in the next couple of months as one of mine has got some glazing appearing and has droped slightly, and when i went for the mot today the lights which are not the brightest any how were a bit on the dull side,which the tester soon told me about.

[hotwire]

Martin,

Just phone around, but I got mine by chance from Castle TVR in Stansted who happened to have a pair. I was told that they are quite hard to come by because TVR will only produce if they get a big enough order - that's what I was told anyway. They do come in clear and tinted. For my part, most of the cars I have seen for my year of production are clear. I've also been told that tinted are very difficult to get, although they sound good!

Tried two other places and only Castle had in stock. Cost was just under £90.00 for the pair. Fun starts when trying to fit!

Hope this helps.

Dave

[griffsmith]

mf68 said:

hi david just wondering were you got the perspex covers from , as have to this myself in the next couple of months as one of mine has got some glazing appearing and has droped slightly, and when i went for the mot today the lights which are not the brightest any how were a bit on the dull side,which the tester soon told me about.

I know you can get them from Leven not sure if they usually sell standard bits but certainly worth a call, cos they will always be happy to help...

But David don't use your finger! I'm not saying you won't get a good enough finish just if you can get as good a finish whilst reducing your skin contact with these chemicals thats go to be the better way!

[hotwire]

Griffsmith, YHM.

Thanks

Dave

[mf68]

cheers for the reply david and griffsmith will try leven in the week, also david agree with griffsmith on not using your finger, and i think i will stick with clear ones, if not i will probably have to get the better half to walk in front of the car with a torch at night time, the car passed the mot ok,and i upset the mot testers little helper who was looking forward too getting in the car when i pulled in, told him that after 18 months i still struggle to remmember which buttons are which and stayed in the car myself,
on a slightley different note i have only just spotted the interior light in the passenger footwell after taking the battery out about four times now since owning the car.
cheers
martin

ps. would have got back sooner been on bender

[hotwire]

Hi Martin

Thanks for your reply. Whereabouts is the light in the passenger footwell - only I don't appear to haveone of those - does anyone else? I know every car is different, but really that different.....?

[Ballistic Banana]

mines just below the glove box towards the left side.

BB

[hotwire]

I'm intrigued now....... just popping down the garage to have a look!

[hotwire]

Nope, definitely no light.


>> Edited by hotwire on Sunday 8th January 17:17

[mf68]

Hi dave mines in the same place as ballistic banana's on the left handside of the bottom of the glove box next to the air vent, if i had'nt had the battery out so many times would never had found it.
Also it may have been the reason for the flat batteries as it was in the on possition with a nackered bulb

sorry for the edits just been out side to double check where it was.

>> Edited by mf68 on Sunday 8th January 20:27

[antonyj]

Mine is directly below the glove box, right in the middle.

It works in conjunction with the main interior light.

[anonymous-user]

My Chim's rear end was resprayed by Hilton Coachworks and they removed and refitted the rear light covers. Might be worth giving them a try.

[sam gamgee]

Ballistic Banana said:

mines just below the glove box towards the left side. BB

Me too...!

Dave.