Rear lights, help needed!!
Discussion
I've now got the new rear lights but how the feck do I remove the clear plastic covers from them to paint the insides?
I have read that you can use a hair drier but where exactly do you apply the heat???
Or can they be cut off and then refixed?
All the posts have made it sound very simple, or is me that's simple? Answers on a postcard!
Help required before I bugger the lamps totally.
Anyone in the Maidstone area that can help me??
>>> Edited by chris43 on Friday 28th May 19:13
i cut the cover off with a small disc cutter from b and q that fitted into a normal drill bit.It was about inches across and i just ran it round the edge cut it off then ground back the rough edge with a small grinding stone (b and q) in the drill again.
>> Edited by plunkett on Saturday 29th May 13:18
>> Edited by plunkett on Saturday 29th May 13:18
plunkett said:
i cut the cover off with a small disc cutter from b and q that fitted into a normal drill bit.It was about inches across and i just ran it round the edge cut it off then ground back the rough edge with a small grinding stone (b and q) in the drill again.
>> Edited by plunkett on Saturday 29th May 13:18
Thanks for the info, the clear cover on the lamp actually fits over the backing and my problem is where to cut!
Any further info greatfully received.
Cheers,
Chris.
plunkett said:
you are right i cut as close to he chrome finish as i dare say 10 MM then just ground it smooth.you will find that when they fit into the car the body work actually hides most of the cut part anyway.paint the cut edge black to help loose it.
Thanks,
Off to buy me a cutter!!
Did you seal them back, as mine appear to have a black mastic which looks as tho' it's applied whilst the plastic outer lens was removed?
STOP! Don't cut it! The easiest way to fix the lights to the car is the with covers on. If you can, use a hair-dryer to heat the plastic and the casing, give it a good 5 minutes, and try and remove without damaging them. Then paint and re-attach with sealant.
That way when you come to fit the lights you can easily drill the holes and don't have to worry about how to fix just the backs. I've decided to fix the top corner and seal the rest in. Unfortunately I've also got to colour code an unpainted section inside the light housing as it now shows since I removed the backs in a desctuctive manner. If you want to see what I mean, remove one of the old Fiesta lights first. See the other threads I've got going for some hints.
Rob
That way when you come to fit the lights you can easily drill the holes and don't have to worry about how to fix just the backs. I've decided to fix the top corner and seal the rest in. Unfortunately I've also got to colour code an unpainted section inside the light housing as it now shows since I removed the backs in a desctuctive manner. If you want to see what I mean, remove one of the old Fiesta lights first. See the other threads I've got going for some hints.
Rob
Try cutting away all of the sealant that you can. You will need to somehow lever the perspex cover away from the housing. Be careful as you could damage the housing or crack the lens. Fortunately you won't see any damage to the edge of the housing when the light unit is installed so don't worry about that too much, just be careful of the lens!
Rob
Rob
chris43 said:
chimhunter said:
STOP! Don't cut it!
Always as a last resort only!!
How much heat does it take before the bloody covers can be removed.
I'm sweating my cobbs off over a hairdrier and still not a sign that the cover is likely to come off!!
Frustratedly yours,
Chris.
I'm in the same boat. Don't fancy the cutting method if the lens cover can be removed by heating. I've tried the hairdryer approach, but its having no affect what so ever!
Do I need a special hairdryer
? HELP !!!
chimhunter said:
Classic!
I tried to remove the covers without heating and trust me, it makes a big difference to have them hot. Try and ver a knife under the lens where you can to break the initial seal.
Rob
Right, I've broken the seal,(so to speak) but the rest of the seal is rock solid. The glue/sealant is definately industrial strength!
If I pull apart the corner that I've broken, will the rest of the cover just part company? The problem is that I've been at this for about 3 hours now!
Right, cut the sealant in one corner & use piece of flat wood (wedge, lolly stick) to prize slightly open.
Now get some fishing line (30lb breaking strain amnesia type shock leader is ideal) about 18 inches long wrap around both forefingers & slip under the perspex lens, then use sawing motion to cut through the rest of the mastic. (methood is also good for trim & badge removal)
This methood will not damage body or lens.
Don't just try to prize the lens off for F**ks sake as:
1) it WILL snap (don't ask!)
2) if i remember rightly, they are £50ish each to replace.
Now get some fishing line (30lb breaking strain amnesia type shock leader is ideal) about 18 inches long wrap around both forefingers & slip under the perspex lens, then use sawing motion to cut through the rest of the mastic. (methood is also good for trim & badge removal)
This methood will not damage body or lens.
Don't just try to prize the lens off for F**ks sake as:
1) it WILL snap (don't ask!)
2) if i remember rightly, they are £50ish each to replace.
darreni said:
Right, cut the sealant in one corner & use piece of flat wood (wedge, lolly stick) to prize slightly open.
Now get some fishing line (30lb breaking strain amnesia type shock leader is ideal) about 18 inches long wrap around both forefingers & slip under the perspex lens, then use sawing motion to cut through the rest of the mastic. (methood is also good for trim & badge removal)
This methood will not damage body or lens.
Don't just try to prize the lens off for F**ks sake as:
1) it WILL snap (don't ask!)
2) if i remember rightly, they are £50ish each to replace.
It will snap? err too late, (only a small bit tho)
What a great idea
Off fishin !!!
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