Mk3 Rear Light Lenses

[Sir Paolo]

Hi all, I think I know the answer to this, but I just want to check in case I’ve missed something -

I want to remove the rear offside clear outer light lens, because somehow a spider has got inside and left a mess of webs there (I’m guessing via the small heat release hole in the boot (?)).

Plus, it looks like it was removed at some point in the past and a mess was made of re-sealing it.

You can’t get to it from inside the boot, as you can’t remove the individual light lenses, so I’m hoping that there is another way to remove it, other than by prising it off from the outside and risking damaging the paint?

Cheers

[WOO5IE]

Unfortunately it is the only way to remove it,
A scalpel is useful and slowly cut into the mastic that holds it on.
When off clean lens and body work and restick with a black mastic.
I normally use Sikaflex but is a bit sticky and can get everywhere

[QBee]

Or if you wait long enough your car will need a full respray, at which time the paint shop will have to remove said perspex cover.

[Sir Paolo]

Ok thanks, it’s not what I wanted to hear, but suspected that to be the case.

Would you be able to recommend a method to get rid of the old sealant?
I definitely don’t want to risk scratching the clear cover.

I have used Sikafkex to seal the windscreen previously, but using it to seal the rear light might be tricky, as an even bead depth will be critical to ensure that it compresses evenly when the lens is pushed back in place (?).

[QBee]

It's a job for a man who has done it before and knows what he is doing, IMHO

[Sir Paolo]

QBee said:

It's a job for a man who has done it before and knows what he is doing, IMHO

Considering the mess that it’s currently in, that makes a lot of sense.
I’d remove the spiders web, but can see an ugly mess of sealant.

Do I sense you volunteering?

[QBee]

Sir Paolo said:

QBee said:

It's a job for a man who has done it before and knows what he is doing, IMHO

Considering the mess that it’s currently in, that makes a lot of sense.
I’d remove the spiders web, but can see an ugly mess of sealant.

Do I sense you volunteering?

You mean me, the man with 10 thumbs in his gloves?
It's not the work I would be trying to avoid, just the indignant wrath that followed from yourself.

I have a load of Sikkaflexing of my own to do, finishing off a roof panel that Steve Edwards virtually completed for me two months ago.
So far I have not plucked up the courage to attempt it.
For the record, there is no way Steve could have done the work himself, because I needed to drive home within minutes of completion, before the Stickiflex could have dried, and at the time my Leven cover was 80 miles from home, in a different direction.

[Sir Paolo]

Ha ha! just thought I’d chance my arm by asking!

No worries.

Given the high potential for this to end badly, I think the only option at the moment is to see if I can get some narrow suction device to at least extract the spiders web via the ventilation hole in the boot :scratchin: