Rear light lenses

[STE VR]

I have just bought some new rear light lenses to replace my old ones as they had holes drilled in them causing lots of condensation etc.. My question is are they tinted from the factory or are they normally clear? My old ones have an 'edge' of solid black paint around the outside and quite a heavy tint to the Perspex.

Any help gratefully received as usual.

Thanks

[sparkesp]

Replaced one of mine a couple of years ago. It was already tinted, and I had to pain the black surround in before fixing.

I found that black acrilic paint did the job quite well.

Peter.

[loud430]

hi, I bought some new lenses a few years ago & they come without the black edging, the paintshop painted the black edge before fitting, I was a bit concerned as the lense didn't look dark enough but once fitted to the car with the recess behind it it matched the other side. hope this helps.

[potato muncher]

STE VR said:

I have just bought some new rear light lenses to replace my old ones as they had holes drilled in them causing lots of condensation etc.. My question is are they tinted from the factory or are they normally clear? My old ones have an 'edge' of solid black paint around the outside and quite a heavy tint to the Perspex.

Any help gratefully received as usual.

Thanks

The lenses could have been clear or tinted depending on the spec the original owner wanted.
The black paint is an etch paint which is needed for bonding to the body and is the same as is used for bonded windscreens.

[SILICONEKID343HP]

I`m a bit confused ,there are conflicting ideas ,some people say the rear lens should be air tight and others say there should be air flow to get rid of the condensation.

Which one is correct ?

[jamienshelly]

Mine has a small hole in the bottom and I still get condensation/misting, so I presume without a hole may be better?

[Sardonicus]

Should be no holes or drainage providing the lamp is bonded to the body correctly inc the lense and the boot is not taking in water if they steam up then the seal is breached

[SILICONEKID343HP]

Sardonicus said:

Should be no holes or drainage providing the lamp is bonded to the body correctly inc the lense and the boot is not taking in water if they steam up then the seal is breached

So are the bulbs air tight ?

[Sardonicus]

SILICONEKID343HP said:

So are the bulbs air tight ?

No that's a separate compartment to the bit we speak of and is not connected to the void between the lamp and the Tiv lens

[Ribol]

Sardonicus said:

Should be no holes or drainage providing the lamp is bonded to the body correctly inc the lense and the boot is not taking in water if they steam up then the seal is breached

Covers have no holes in them but there are two holes through the body to boot, top and side, both sides the same before someone has a dig at TVR

[jamienshelly]

Cheers Simon, Perhaps I have uncovered another "DIY" on the car as there is a small hole in the bottom of the lens on both units, I might seal them and see if they still mist up!.

[Sardonicus]

Ribol said:

overs have no holes in them but there are two holes through the body to boot, top and side, both sides the same before someone has a dig at TVR

I will check mine but don't recall at the end of the day if the boot dont leak and the seal from body to lens is not breached they wont steam up I know because mine dont

[jamienshelly]

Sardonicus said:

will check mine but don't recall at the end of the day if the boot dont leak and the seal from body to lens is not breached they wont steam up I know because mine dont

If you are at the Grass hopper on the 24th, I will have to drill a hole in your lenses, only to see if they mist up afterwards, if they do, you were right!!

[Sardonicus]

jamienshelly said:

If you are at the Grass hopper on the 24th, I will have to drill a hole in your lenses, only to see if they mist up afterwards, if they do, you were right!!

Oh that's very choice

[STE VR]

Thanks Gents, I will obtain some windscreen black etching paint to do the edges. I will need to tint them a touch as they are pretty clear when offered up to the car. Can you get film to do this as I can't stand using that cr@p tinting spray!!

Oh, and having holes drilled in the lenses is not a good idea. I constantly had condensation and it ran down the inside of the lens leaving nice staining marks hence the change.

[Dodsy]

For the black edgiing i painted mine with the same sikaflex that i used to bond the covers in place. I had previously used acrylic paint but it came away , breaking the seal

[jamienshelly]

Sardonicus said:

h that's very choice

Or I could just seal mine up and see what happens as you don't seem very keen on my last suggestion.
See you in a week or so.