Grid Repair & Clear TA tail lights
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 719
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From: Zephyrhills, FL. from Rochester, NY
Grid Repair & Clear TA tail lights
I'm fixing mosture spots in the grid of TA tailghts and need a little help, heres what I have done so far. I got the actual cover to the TA tail lights off, This is the outer portion with the grid, I'm thinking if I use a heat gun it will remelt the plastic grid to the plastic. I've tried a hair dryer but not getting hot enough.
Also I noticed while taking the Tail light cobers apart you can actually leave the red peice out and have it actually look clear. And I should say it doesn't look have bad, I'm thinking I could try to find a clear piece that could fit back into the Taillights so it would be illuminate better.
Or maybe I could get a peice of glass then sand it and fit it in, What do you think?
Also I noticed while taking the Tail light cobers apart you can actually leave the red peice out and have it actually look clear. And I should say it doesn't look have bad, I'm thinking I could try to find a clear piece that could fit back into the Taillights so it would be illuminate better.
Or maybe I could get a peice of glass then sand it and fit it in, What do you think?
*puts on flame retardent suit*
Post that pic dude, I'm gonna be doin that as soon as winter is done and I wanna know exactly what its gonna look like.
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1991 Firebird Formula
305 TPI,Auto,Custom 3" Mandrel bent I-pipe, Flowmaster 80 series muffler, 3" hi-flo cat,Taylor Spiro Wires,Bosch Platinum Plugs, K&N Filter, Grant GT Steering Wheel, 5% Rear tint, Pontiac Windshield Decal
Check it out https://www.thirdgen.org/rides/index...ew&rideid=1074
Post that pic dude, I'm gonna be doin that as soon as winter is done and I wanna know exactly what its gonna look like.
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1991 Firebird Formula
305 TPI,Auto,Custom 3" Mandrel bent I-pipe, Flowmaster 80 series muffler, 3" hi-flo cat,Taylor Spiro Wires,Bosch Platinum Plugs, K&N Filter, Grant GT Steering Wheel, 5% Rear tint, Pontiac Windshield Decal
Check it out https://www.thirdgen.org/rides/index...ew&rideid=1074
I don't have a ta, I have a camaro. -- BUT I did do this mod my my girlfriend's grand prix se, w/ similar taillights. hers has two pieces that can be taken out the red and the amber/clear piece, and I took out the red one, and painted the amber section w/ a thin coat of translucent red and slapped it all together, the trans am tails should look similar.
[This message has been edited by SlowCamaro88SC (edited December 06, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by SlowCamaro88SC (edited December 06, 2001).]
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 515
Likes: 1
From: Webster,Texas,USA
Car: 1990 Formula
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: 700R4
This takes some time...but, it looks real good after it is completed...
get some file labels and cut some out, (a @ss load actually) that would fit on the clear part, not the grid itself. Put them on everyone untill you have the whole taillight covered so all you see is the black grid where the bubbles are. Do not forget to cut some long ones for the reverse light area also. Take your time and make sure every label is cut exactly to the area to be covered (this is where most of your time will go)
After you have all the stickers on (by the way, these stickers are to protect the area where the light shines through) sand the whole lense using a high grade sandpaper. Do it lightly, this will also sand the labels also, this is why I used folder labels because they are thick enough for the whole process and also, will peel off real easy when the project is done.
repeat the sanding process.
ok...now the fun part. Get some high gloss black from your local parts house along with some clear coat. start laying on some thin coats, alowing dry times of at least a half hour between coats. If it is warm outside, it may be sooner. It may take up to 5 or 6 coats. Now this is the important part, TAKE YOUR TIME PAINTING!! THIS WILL DETERMINE THE RESULT OF YOUR PROJECT!! Just dont rush it. You will be glad you did. After you have a good glossy look going, give it another thirty minutes or so...then wash it with soapy water.
Dry it good, then apply your clear coat the same way... remember, patience.
After clearing the taillight, peel the labels off, then wash the whole taillight with the soapy water. Dry, then wait a day, then apply your favorite wax, buff it out, and then you have some better than new tailights. i have done mine that way, and get compliments on them and nobody ever , ever knows that they were painted on the outside... but, it is a lengthy project..just a warning...
Oh yeah, you might wanna do your center piece also because it will probably not shine as much as your tailights. Just tape off the bird with some masking tape and get a exacto knife and cut around the bird and go from there....
here are some night pics..i will get some day pics soon...
#1
#2
------------------
click below to check out the new Formula Source....
www.theformulasource.com
or click below to check out my Formula350.......
www.formula350.com
or click below to email me
webmaster@theformulasource.com
[This message has been edited by formula90 (edited December 08, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by formula90 (edited December 08, 2001).]
get some file labels and cut some out, (a @ss load actually) that would fit on the clear part, not the grid itself. Put them on everyone untill you have the whole taillight covered so all you see is the black grid where the bubbles are. Do not forget to cut some long ones for the reverse light area also. Take your time and make sure every label is cut exactly to the area to be covered (this is where most of your time will go)
After you have all the stickers on (by the way, these stickers are to protect the area where the light shines through) sand the whole lense using a high grade sandpaper. Do it lightly, this will also sand the labels also, this is why I used folder labels because they are thick enough for the whole process and also, will peel off real easy when the project is done.
repeat the sanding process.
ok...now the fun part. Get some high gloss black from your local parts house along with some clear coat. start laying on some thin coats, alowing dry times of at least a half hour between coats. If it is warm outside, it may be sooner. It may take up to 5 or 6 coats. Now this is the important part, TAKE YOUR TIME PAINTING!! THIS WILL DETERMINE THE RESULT OF YOUR PROJECT!! Just dont rush it. You will be glad you did. After you have a good glossy look going, give it another thirty minutes or so...then wash it with soapy water.
Dry it good, then apply your clear coat the same way... remember, patience.
After clearing the taillight, peel the labels off, then wash the whole taillight with the soapy water. Dry, then wait a day, then apply your favorite wax, buff it out, and then you have some better than new tailights. i have done mine that way, and get compliments on them and nobody ever , ever knows that they were painted on the outside... but, it is a lengthy project..just a warning...
Oh yeah, you might wanna do your center piece also because it will probably not shine as much as your tailights. Just tape off the bird with some masking tape and get a exacto knife and cut around the bird and go from there....
here are some night pics..i will get some day pics soon...
#1
#2
------------------
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I have experience......unfortunatly its a result of bad judgement......</font>
click below to check out the new Formula Source....
www.theformulasource.com
or click below to check out my Formula350.......
www.formula350.com
or click below to email me
webmaster@theformulasource.com
[This message has been edited by formula90 (edited December 08, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by formula90 (edited December 08, 2001).]
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Zephyrhills, FL. from Rochester, NY
OK, Sounds good but I a little confused on some parts, did you sand the inside or out side of the lens, and which side did you pant and apply the stickers to.
thanks
thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 515
Likes: 1
From: Webster,Texas,USA
Car: 1990 Formula
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: 700R4
all the work is done to the outside...
------------------
click below to check out the new Formula Source....
www.theformulasource.com
or click below to check out my Formula350.......
www.formula350.com
or click below to email me
webmaster@theformulasource.com
------------------
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I have experience......unfortunatly its a result of bad judgement......</font>
click below to check out the new Formula Source....
www.theformulasource.com
or click below to check out my Formula350.......
www.formula350.com
or click below to email me
webmaster@theformulasource.com
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 515
Likes: 1
From: Webster,Texas,USA
Car: 1990 Formula
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: 700R4
as soon as I am able to I will. I do not have my camara right now. 
------------------
click below to check out the new Formula Source....
www.theformulasource.com
or click below to check out my Formula350.......
www.formula350.com
or click below to email me
webmaster@theformulasource.com

------------------
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I have experience......unfortunatly its a result of bad judgement......</font>
click below to check out the new Formula Source....
www.theformulasource.com
or click below to check out my Formula350.......
www.formula350.com
or click below to email me
webmaster@theformulasource.com
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
Car: 1988 Firebird Formula
Engine: 388 Carb
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4.10
Ok sorry about the really old post, but I want to do this and I cant figure out how to take the gridded section apart from the part that the bulb goes in any help would be appriciated, I have it off the car but still cant figure it out.
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