I picked these tail lights pretty cheap (they are in great condition no cracks, chips or any broken tabs in the back), I was wondering, is there anything I can do to fix that discoloration, or maybe paint the tail lights so that it isn't visible ?

I circled the area in questions...

Thanks
Chris

 

Its hard to tell but it looks like the paint on the inside has seperated. You should be able to pop them apart and sand the inside paint off that area and paint it again. While you are at it clean the inside. polish them and reassemble.

You will need some sealer when you put them together.

If you use power tools for sanding/polishing remember not to over heat them.

Be careful when you dissamble them as the tabs are easy to snap them when you seperate them.

IMO its worth a try.

 

As you can see from this picture I have separated the lens from the rear back back structure and removed the red and orange colored plastic inserts.

Of the front part that I have removed that there is a clear lens in the front backed by a black piece of plastic that looks to be glued onto the back of the clear plastic piece (and it looks like the fainting black parts you can see from the lens is where the black backing part has separated from the clear lens) . However at this point I still can't get to the black part that has peeled off the clear lens.

How do I get to the black stuff that has separated from the front clear lens ?

Thanks
Chris

 

I have some minor delamination on 1 set of taillights, I have noticed it becoming wors after taking the car out from the cool garage on hot sunny days.

Maybe by cooling them in the fridge and then placing them in the sun could accelerate delamination.

I was thinking of grinding the black plastic off in the delaminated areas, then using some paint or silicone that matches the black plastic to fill in.

 

What tool were you thinking about using to grind the black down ?... it is a pretty tight location and at a funny angle.

 

I am not sure I have the time to fix these by doing that. Out of curiosity, what would these be worth if I tried to sell them as is ?

I have both left and right and the lens have no cracks or discoloration and the mounting screws are all there.

Thanks
Chris

 

I was thinking with the dremmel.

Dont think they are really worth anything in that condition.

 

the heat cool method may work. I would suggest trying this. I've never done this but this is what I would try.

Drill a hole into the black plastic on each end of the seperation but not into the clear part. Take something like a wd-40 straw and spray valve and get some glossy black spray paint that you can put the spray valve into it. Spray it a few seconds to clear out and oil left into the valve.

Put the straw into the hole wrap it with a rag to prevent blow back and see if you can fill in the area with black paint.

You may even be able to do this with some clear epoxy and then put some pressure on the two peices.

I don't think you will get them perfect unless you work on it until you can seperate the two peices. I forgot they were bonded and not painted on that style light.

I can't think of any thing that would help break down the glue but not the lense.

You could use the hole method and some high pressure air and see if it would seperate the two peices but I think that would probably crack the plastic.

 

The layers have delaminated. It CAN'T be glued back together. The black plastic will come out, but in several little pieces. I had a pair of 85-90 lenses that were delaminated. Here is how I fixed them: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...il-lights.html