articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

anybody cut open and clean.. then Buff the front lenscover.


ya know GM never did seal them..and after 17+ years thay start to grow things inside...Mold.. small plants..what have you..

was not doing anything today. so i wanted to see if i could Cut them OPEN.

took about 2 min to Cut one open..wanted to make sure when i put them back together. they did not look like. i cut them open...

the back of the front Lencover will go white on you. when you cut it open.
to bring it back to the Black seal Looking finnish.. Buff down the edg that you Just Cut..(just so it's about clear) about 5 min with drimle.

then add black RTV in a thin coat.. this will Give it that Black Facrty seal Looking finnish. (photo) this is not to seal it''just Give it that Black Tie look like when NEW!
also note: any Nick's from cutting Must Have Black RTV on them.. this way you cant see them when finished.. (from the front) any not coverd. will show up white..
or like a Bubble. in the seal...we don't what than do we...



now take the the Clean Housing. and lay a small Bead of Black RTV over the Cut edg.
THIS IS TO GLUE IT BACK TOGETHER.
. and Place. the Front cover back on..the Right Way..
(mark it with a scrib..top bottom)do this Before Cutting..
that way YOU GET IR RIGHT..

this took about 2 Hrs and the Lights Look New..
cost
$10.00

i used a buffer.. but it came out better using my thumb. and the buffing wax.. nice and clear.. and i get to Keep the parts My car came with..




(this is after cutting open and cleaning)..................................................this is Before


will take photos of me cutting the 2nd light open to show you how and what tools.. it is Fast!.. it was easy!! it was CHEAP!!!!

sorry if this is posted some place..i did not look before i posted it..
i just did not want to spend another Dime on this car this week
im over $7000 in Fixes Now..(in 2 weeks)

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

Forgive the 2" wide packing tape holding the cover back on till the
RTV is dry.
(In the AM)

as you can see the Black seal looks like it's still there...
and now it's set to Go back on when Dry.. and if i ever need to open it up. a 2nd time.. it's easy.. score with Razer.. and Open..

berlin305

iTrader: (2)

I think they had a thread on this you didnt' have to cut. You just put them in the oven. On low heat and it melts the sealed beam factory glue. IF not great job looks very nice.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

Lights are made of plastic. you will only melt the lights...lol Give it a try.. ill sell you some as new lights for $40
thank you.
I dont know about putting them in a Oven. to Melt Just the Glue.
and the Lights are NOT a sealed beam you can see the Hole in the Housing. that lets in air
and Dirt Just above the Cut.

but THIS is a FAST and a Low cost way..to make them NEW Looking .

the Tools if you have them.


you start by making a clean Cut at the seam.. it only take about 2 min. it go's fast..

then you mark it in a spot so you know what way it go's back together.
then going slow. you pop them apart..IF it's not going easy..you need to cut a tad Deeper

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

now with the parts marked in 1 spot. so you know what is what..
you take them apart.

you then clean the cut up..takes about 3 min with the right tools..
(same tool) but with the sanding drum..see photo of tools.. (going green..not for me)
with a soft brush. clean all the parts..this gets all the Green ..OR what ever off and out!
wipe dry.

then you polish the front cover OUT SIDE FRONT ONLY i just used my thumb on this one.. you can use a Buffer..(it's faster) then clean it all ..housing and cover

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

now when you get it all nice looking you will see.. you need to get the black seal look in the back..see how it looks white..(on top of my finger)
REMEMBER. THIS LIGHT HOUSING WAS NEVER A SEALED UNIT. this is why they get the goodys in them. by adding the RTV to the cut Lip. your making it look like the cover was never Cut open...this Gives it that Clean even LOOK like a new light Housing. thats what we are going for!..im going to go the the parts yard to Pick up a set and do. for a back Up..or for sale..what do you think..as new set no chips $20 for 2 hrs work..Not bad and all GM Parts!


by running the RTV on the back on the Cut part you will Give it that Nice factry seal look..(with out trying to use a Qt of Glue)

looks better .. like that..
now take and run a bead of RTV on top of the Cut on the Housing
it looks mesy..but thats OK.. you have to Go slow..or it will get mesy! also at this time i fill in the hole to about half or more then the size it was. LETS AIR IN AND OUT
but not as much..

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

now: with the 2 marks you made. at the start matching up. you place the 2 parts back together..with some tape you can hold them together.
with a bit of presher..it's hard to see i am using clear packing tape. to hold the light together till it's dry..1 day..


fast simple and you dont have to Melt anything.. and it's Hands on..
Just somthing to do on a sat night..

ill skip the 3 days of wheel buffing...(I hate dogs!)

bigal's1991

they sell new super shiney ones on ebay, seller mono2004 or mono2001. they are like 30 bucks

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

This is for the Guys who DONT want that cheap looking import stuff.
so that Yellow Bulb. dont Jump out. and say HAY LOOK AT ME IM A COPY IMPORT PART.. cost to do this is less then shipping on a copy part. that dont look right to start with.. YOU CAN DO THIS for less then $10

and you know the parts will Look right and fit.. after all ..it's all GM parts.

But thats Just Me i Gess

rsrsrs

iTrader: (9)

Great thread, bookmarked! Will try this out on the spare pair of lights I have.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

if you use your thumb to polish up the front cover it takes about 30 min.
go slow like waxing a car..work the polish in till it starts to dry out and get thick... then with a clean rag buff off and out.. repeat. 2 or 3 times.

if using a Buffer. use Hi speed soft touch.. so you dont leav them Marks you see on a black car..(you know what im talking about)..

then use your thumb.. to finnish it off..doing it this way they will look NEW!..did for me anyway..

see photos...(as new GM parts..now)
tape is off and set to go back on! (less then 12 hrs)

now see how you get the black line showing at rim.on My artic white Z28 that line stands out!!. just like new.(see any like this on ebay? for $10 shipped...Not so Much!


do a few car shows.. and see how they stand out..

have fun..

SiCkRs

iTrader: (6)

Thanks man i am going to try that out how do you know were to cut it from

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

it's not Glue that holds them together.. they are bonded by very Hi Vide sound thing.. that melts the 2 pieces of plastic together.. thats why you get a black ring that looks like a seal.. when you look at Front..

i forget whet it's called.. it's used alot.. in the making of Plastic windows frames as well..

any way.. you can see how The Clear front. mates to the Black Back..
Just Cut into the housing there..See photos above. with saw cut.

With the drimle it takes about 2 to 3 min to Cut.. only go just deep enof to Cut the Bond.. Take a Look at the photos close..it's easy..

do the first one and you will be a PRO!

>>>>GO SLOW DO NOT TRY TO RUSH<<<<

rsrsrs

iTrader: (9)

Does throwing them in an oven make it an easier? Just asking cuz I don't have a dremel right now.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

i dont know? with them made from plastic..i would say NO. but then i have never tryed it.. thats why i say with the right tools..this is a fast 2 hr Job.

i would never slip plastic into a oven to ...lol..how did that go..

"On low heat and it melts the sealed beam factory glue".

has:
they are not sealed beam.
and. it's not Glue..

But what do i Know..i have only done it this way..

SiCkRs

iTrader: (6)

I dont have a dremel neither is there any other way to do this

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

you can use a Hobby saw. (hobby shop) made for cutting plastic ($8.00)

or you can use a Hack saw.. with a fine tooth blade/made to cut plastic.
all your Cuts will be in a fine line.. will take about 20 longer min to do it this way.

4 cuts are to be made.. 1 top 1 bottom ..and ea end..

you then have to make the corner Cuts.. look at the photo of the dremle cuting it's one long cut.. you can do the same with the saw's..

just go slow.. don't Force it..let the saw do the work.. you will see..

SiCkRs

iTrader: (6)

Have you had the water go in it or get foggy or did it seal good i am thinking of doing this over the weekend

matthufham

iTrader: (5)

you did a great job. if mine weren't cracked, and i didn't happen to love those cheap diamond cut ones on ebay, then i'd be giving this a shot.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

Thank You

when you use RTV to seal the front cover back on..NO it will not Leak.

Go slow. and read what i posted.. and do it the way i show you.. it will
NOT Leak. good as new!!

there is a opening they leav to let it AIR out.. seal it Half way Up.
with RTV after the front cover is dry..

they will be good for another 5 to 6 years..
(you can always open them up) a 2nd time in 5 to 6 years and do it. a 2nd time..

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

I just polished mine out... and am a bit disappointed to find all the crud on the backside of the lens. When they were cloudy you couldnt see it, but now that they're nice and clear, all that junk inside the light is painfully obvious.





And you can see the mold on this one...



Still a big improvement.




I tried throwing them in the oven for a few minutes, but they didnt want to separate AT ALL. I decided that method wouldn't work. Now I see why.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

EXCELLENT THREAD!!!!! This will definately be a project for this weekend. Thanks!!!

rsrsrs

iTrader: (9)

Ugh, I think I threw out the only good dremel my pops fixed lol. Oops. Time to buy a cheap one.

rscamaro90

Great thread, I have been looking for a way to clean mine for a few weeks now. Gonna try it as soon as I get a chance. Thanks for the great info.

DeathMetalTony

Dude good job with that I was told to take the turn signal of the car and place beans with soap in the back where the light goes. And shake it up and it should work according to my friend.

But hey good job and this post man they should make this a legit thread.

Tony.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

thank you..
on a side note:
i dont think the Bean's will get to the front inside of the Front cover...
you could try... rice..but i like to work on My Camero with tools..not chop stick's..had to say that...lol

and on a 2nd Note:.Rice is still to Big to get into the front cover..just so you Know..
Jeff

DeathMetalTony

Lol, thats what I thought but your way is so much better though.

Tony.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

Just finnished Buffing out the Tail lights..WOW Big Diff!!

have to get a few shots of them..

masked off the Black Lines with 1/4" wide Masking tape..used my 6" buffer
had to go semi fast and with a lite touch.. this plastic is REAL SOFT!
AND CUTS Easy!.

BUT THEY OUT COME IS FANTASTIC..


Less the 2 hrs.. and brand new tail lights..

SiCkRs

iTrader: (6)

What polish did you put on the tail lights

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

I use the BlueMagic.
this stuff works fantastic. go slow with the Buffer.. i would say only try a small part of the lights first.. the platic cuts Easy/Fast. and you could make more work for your self.I did.
i used a wool Buffing wheel.. CUT'S WAY FAST!! i would say stay away from wool on plastic..i can tell you.. you can use your fingers. to work it in slow. till allmost dry.
and wipe off.. thay sell kits to do this.. at auto parts stores.. i just have a life time supply of neat tools to play with.. i will also say if you have a deep scratch.. in your plastic.Lights.. you can Buff it out! to nothing.fast with the wool buffing wheel!

mast off the black lines with 1/4" masking tape (paint store)
get all the work done before removing the tape.. taking a old use tooth brush to brush out any of the BlueMagic left after memoving the tape. you lights will look 100% Brand New!


Side note:
the rear Plate light housings. 1 ea side of lic plate. clear.
you can clean the dust and Junk out of them with Dry Rice..lol
drop in 10 or 20 pieces of rice add water and shake well..
knocks all the crud free and run under water till you get the Rice out...
you can use plastic pellits also...

madbomber824

iTrader: (2)

The guy who painted my car water-blasted my turn-signal lenses and tailight lenses. Some before and after pics. Don't know if off topic or not.

Before:


After:

racing geek

iTrader: (5)

Great... another thing to add to the already huge list...

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

Looks Good.

Remember: guys and gals.
the black caps at the end of the tail lights.. on ea side of the Lic Plate
they sould come off.. with 3 or 4 small screws.. when the cars are new. thay are also done in a Hi Gloss black paint.

after years of sun and washing.. they fade to that Dull black finnish.

i still have a set..new in the box i picked up 15+ years ago.
some times guys dont think so..when they see my Z28
so i bring out the boxs and show them...

Camrs89

Doing this now, the lights are in the oven! Hope they dont melt!

Edit...yep, they did melt lol good thing I had a spare set! I only had them in for like 5 minutes. Guess I will keep them in for less time.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

why would you put them in A OVEN...LOL

They Are Made Out Of Plastic.
plastic melts with Heat.

Camrs89

To try and melt the glue, they did pull off easy though lol too bad they are in the trash can now. Do have another set I just have to be careful with.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

it's faster to cut them apart.


then you never have to Kill good parts..

iv never seen anybody use a oven to take them apart..
sorta like using fire to Burn off your old paint..but then thats up to them.

Scorpner

iTrader: (4)

It's common to use an oven for this, there's a window between where the adhesive loosens and the plastic is affected. Maybe try gradual heat and one at a time? Can't take both apart at the same time anyways.

Camrs89

I have a heat gun at work that i think will do the trick, although playing around with the old set, a box cutter does seem to work good as well.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

you can use a Hobby saw..$5 from any hobby shop.
or the drim tool. takes 2 min. the parts come apart...
you dont play with Killing your parts.. it's done fast..
and when it's done this way.. in 3 or 4 years..when you want to clean them a 2nd or 3 time. you can cut them back apart with a small Knife. and it's done...No glue.. No Heat.. clean. Neat.

black84z28-4spd

i would just rather buy the "import looking ones" they are such an improvement over the older stockish looking ones and really made my car look alot better with adding a modern flash to it. there were worth the extra money spent.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

this is for the Guys who want the true GM parts on there cars.
the do it your self Guys.

the first time Guys can do this..there is No VooDoo to it.
and the car Parts looks Like New. True GM parts

86blackiroc

iTrader: (12)

Yours turned out REALLY nice, but yours were in pretty good shape to begin with though. Some of them will never look very good because the "chrome" inside gets ruined over the years.

Side note, even the brand new GM replacements don't look quite as good as the originals. They are made in China now and are not put together as well, the side markers are made in China now also. Oh, and the new GM fog lights (high $) are made in Taiwan now and are partially aftermarket. Bunch of BS.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

what ever is on the out side of Light. can be Buffed off & out.
the plastic Cuts easy..with a Buffer.

it could be yellow / brown. what have you..it comes off.
the inside of the front cover is always in Good shape. cleans up with soap and water.. same for the Housing.. i did a lot of car show's

and have a lot of Camaro Car show's under my belt also..
it's all about. Keeping it Real..

do this to your light's 1 time.. you will never need to buy a 2nd set..
as now you can take yours apart anytime you need to for a cleaning.

iv seen some of the aftermarket parts they make now.. and NO THANK YOU.
ill stick to my GM Made Parts..

86blackiroc

iTrader: (12)

I have some housings that have what looks like water damage inside... like the chrome is worn off and the black plastic is starting to show. Are you saying that this will likely wash off?

Camrs89

Im wondering too since it wont be too visible and you did it properly, take that "chrome" duplicolor paint and sprayed it, if that would be good enough since the factory chrome isnt the greatest anyways. Im sure I could have better results with the can stuff.

RSFreak

Why outside front only? Why not polish the inside also?

BTW, got any pics of the lights on your car?

The Project

iTrader: (6)

Mothers "Power Plastic" and a "Mini Powerball" work great on the marker lights also.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

the inside is unmarked.. and still new..no need to touch it.
(if it's not broke..dont fix it)

black84z28-4spd

the parking light s on my car fit like the gm ones did. they are very nice quality