Tail light Seperation?

[TheDirtyJeep401]

Has any one ever separated the lense from the housing? I'd like to see if anyone has done it. The reverse lense is yellow instead of white. Wanna get in there and clean it up. Anyone have any advice?

[Pete M]

yes it has been done.  :thumbsup:  I wanna say they used either an oven of a heat gun to carefully separate the 2 pieces, but don't know for sure.

[Eagle]

Wasn't there a write-up a year or so ago by someone who had refurbished his taillights? Did you check the DIY discussion area?

[Dando]

Wine separated all on their own over time, I would imagine using a hair dryer or heat gun carefully would allow you to seperate the lens.

[mikekaz1]

they are plastic welded together, but I was able to successfully separate a set using a screw driver and carefully "cracking" the two halves apart. if I remember correctly the tops and bottoms aren't attached at all its just the long sides that are.

[TheDirtyJeep401]

I've searched though to see if I could find a write up. Didn't see anything. I've seen people heating them up, it scares me because I'm heating up 30 year old plastic. Is it just a plastic weld that is holding the 2 peices together?

[Pete M]

there are a couple guys that had good success with polishing the outside

 

http://comancheclub.com/topic/48710-diy-projects-writeups-master-search-index/

 

(down in lighting)

[mikekaz1]

careful if you try heating them. the plastic will permanently yellow if you use too much heat.

[ScottJeep]

I've heated and cut to finish the separation of old units before "refurbishing" prior to sale.  

 

Used a clear waterproof RTV from HD to glue them back together.

 

This was after a three step wet sand and 5 coats of clear. 

 

Take your time it can and has been done.

[Keyav8r]

ScottJeep - What were the three steps of wet sanding? I've heard that a brown or purple scotchbrite pad can be used wet, also.

 

I have a good set of spare tail lights I'd like to clean, polish, and clear coat but I'm a little reluctant to try taking them apart. I may pick up a XJ tail light from the JY for practice.

 

Someone on the DIY forum posted about taking them apart and putting a little "Kentucky Chrome" (spray can type) on the reflectors.

 

You've got quite a Jeep collection in your driveway.