EXT: 5th gen tail dissassembly/tinting lower half

[bass 1]

This DIY shows how to take apart and tint 5th gen rear lamp housings. Also described is how to remove the amber piece w/o destroying anything.

First off: I am in no way responsible for anyone's actions after reading this.

I also know this is probably the 10th one of these but I figured why not.

What you will need:
Tint paint (ill specify the type later in the thread)
Flat head screw driver
Oven Preheated to 250°F
Small phillips screw driver
Baking sheet
Gloves
Foil
Wood scrap (2x4 works great)
Masking tape
Clear Caulk (optional)
MOST IMPORTANT: Patience!!

So your tails are stock and you want them to look like this:
(Image is intocarss photo)
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_2832.jpg

So pop out your tails
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0904.jpg

Remove the back foam and the small screw near the outside (phillips head)
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0908.jpg

Because it will be going in the oven, you dont want plastic resting on a hard surface or it will deform. So I used a cookie sheet covered in foil with 2x4 blocks for support. Make sure to cover the cookie sheet. It will not get messed up, but it will make the wife, girlfriend, fiance, mom... whoever more happy.
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0909.jpg

Blocked up:
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0911.jpg

Preheat your oven to 250°F:
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0913.jpg

I used a pair of gloves and a sheet to protect myself from having to hold a hot housing.
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0914.jpg

Put the housing in the oven for 4 min. and check it every min after that. THIS IS CRUTIAL TO NOT WARPING THE LENS. If you leave it in too long, the lense will get soft and warp like mad (pics and story after im done with the DIY)
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0920.jpg

When you take it out, SLOWLY and GENTLY pry at the edges of the lens. Think about only prying in stronger parts of the lense because its very easy to crack off pieces.
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0915.jpg

With a slotted screw driver, begin to work your way around the lens. I started on the bottom and work my way to the top. It helps to slide the screwdriver through the glue to "cut it away"
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0916.jpg

After several reheats(2min) and lots of patience, you will have the lens off of the housing:
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0917.jpg

The lower portion of the housing comes out with 3 grey snaps on the back side of the housing. At this point, you could blackhouse the lower portion to make the tint look even darker. I didn't have the time or care to do this but its possible.
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0921.jpg

To remover the amber, just slightly pull up in the areas around the clips. It practically falls out.
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0923.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0924.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0925.jpg

Now its time to tint. Mask off the upper area (or you can tint everthing but im not sure about the legal issues)
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0931.jpg

I used Tamia model paint and shot it through an airbrush. It was not nearly enough paint and took several coats. It may be better to use some of the JDM tint paint. (or any tint paint for that matter)

What i used:
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0934.jpg

What I wish I would have used:
http://www.gen5alive.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=435_534&products_id=1148

Airbrush:
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0937.jpg

First coat:
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0939.jpg

Second coat:
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0942.jpg

Third and final (due to no more paint and its 2AM)
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0944.jpg

To reassemble, warm up the parts in the oven for 3-4 min and then run a bead of caulk around the perimiter. This ensures a good seal. Then just push the parts together again. Maybe another 2 min to warm the glue once again and push together again. Put all the screw and foam back on then install.

Finished (only 3 coats with tamiya paint, JDM paint most likely only needs 2 coats to be darker than this)
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0945.jpg

Side by side:
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0947.jpg

[bass 1]

Room for what happens when you leave it in the oven too long

The second lens I became inpatient and cranky because it was getting late. SO i cranked the oven to 300°F. That is too hot! After 4 min, it wasnt done yet, so i left it in another 3 min. Seven min. total and the lense warped. I took it off anyways, but heres what happens when you leave stuff in too long:

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0919.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0926.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0927.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0929.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/bass_2/IMG_0930.jpg





If anyone would like to donate a drivers side tail housing, I'd be glad to pay shipping.


If anyone has questions, I'd be glad to answer. I can also get more pictures if you would like.

Dave

[Si Speed]

I attempted this but kept it out of the oven too long and made a crack... had to get another tail light. :/

[bass 1]

It is sooo hard trying to find the perfect temp where the glue is tacky enough to be removed, but not so hot the lenes get soft and warped.

[Derek904]

Wow, nice DIY, i definitely liked how it turned out, now i'm tempted to try:pray:

[bass 1]

Wow, nice DIY, i definitely liked how it turned out, now i'm tempted to try:pray:

thanks!

im going to start sounding like a broken record but i can't emphasize how important it is to keep checking them. Like i said, The first one i checked it every min or 2. The second one I just tried leaving it in... doesnt work that way.:frown:

[Derek904]

Cool, i'm taking notes :cool: Keep doing ya' thing!

[Brash22]

Very well written there!

[Mdtdnb]

Very well written there!

yea really! you should do a DIY on how to do DIYs lol. Nice pics and description, some well earned rep for you!

[intocarss]

Nice write up

[bass 1]

Nice write up


thanks, glad I was able to find such a good example of them installed :biggrin:

[omgosh!]

It is sooo hard trying to find the perfect temp where the glue is tacky enough to be removed, but not so hot the lenes get soft and warped.

when i was clearing my tail lights i had the temp @ 250 for 10 mins it was good enough to remove