Let’s discuss taillights

[MYE Jeep]

3 hours ago, AZJeff said:

I got a set of the new lenses from Key Parts.

 

I also have got a "spare" set of taillights with really crappy lenses that I was going to experiment on.  Can you elaborate more on exactly where you made your cuts?   I have some small saw blades for my Dremel, and was thinking they might be the ticket for getting the old lenses off the reflector housings.

 

Some close up pictures of where you made the cuts would be really helpful.

 

Thanks.

I just finished up one of the tail lights, sealed it together with Threebond afterwards and it actually came out really nice.. I’ll work on cracking the second housing open tomorrow and I’ll take pics of where I cut, should be much easier the 2nd time. I’m glad I had a spare tail light with a broken lens to test it out on first! 

[fiatslug87]

Did you repaint the silver “reflector” part since it was chalky? If so what did you use?

[MYE Jeep]

10 hours ago, fiatslug87 said:

Did you repaint the silver “reflector” part since it was chalky? If so what did you use?

I did not, luckily I noticed how chalky it was when cleaning dirt off of an inconspicuous area, so then I very carefully rinsed it with water and “pat dry” the area as to not wipe off any more of the silver color. I thought about repainting, but didn’t think it would be necessary once the unit is sealed back up. However the test housing I baked originally had hardly any silver reflector paint inside, probably due to me pressure washing it prior to baking. I would say add paint on a case-by-case basis depending on how your housing looks when pulling it apart.

[AZJeff]

On 1/11/2022 at 8:16 PM, MYE Jeep said:

I just finished up one of the tail lights, sealed it together with Threebond afterwards and it actually came out really nice.. I’ll work on cracking the second housing open tomorrow and I’ll take pics of where I cut, should be much easier the 2nd time. I’m glad I had a spare tail light with a broken lens to test it out on first! 

I never heard of "Threebond", so using my Duck-Duck-Go skills, I saw they make a plethora of different adhesives.  So which one did you use, and why?   And what retail source is there for the stuff?

 

[acfortier]

It honestly seems a bit silly that they would just reproduce the lens if the lens and housing are fused together in that manner. I haven't looked, did they release instructions on how one is supposed to replace their lens?

[MYE Jeep]

13 hours ago, AZJeff said:

I never heard of "Threebond", so using my Duck-Duck-Go skills, I saw they make a plethora of different adhesives.  So which one did you use, and why?   And what retail source is there for the stuff?

 

I use threebond on just about everything, it makes a strong bonded seal that holds up to weather well, but is flexible enough for a small amount of movement. 
 

You could get away with a lot of different types of sealants but this is just personally what I’ve used in the past on headlights and tail lights and I’ve had good success with it. Butyl tape is another good option but a little harder to work with as it doesn’t compress as well for applications like this where there isn’t a “channel” for the butyl tape to sit in. 
 

I’ll post more pictures soon, sorry I’ve been caught up with a house remodel and haven’t had a chance to get pictures of the tearing apart and sealing process, also waiting for new light sockets to arrive to install everything. 

[MYE Jeep]

14 minutes ago, acfortier said:

It honestly seems a bit silly that they would just reproduce the lens if the lens and housing are fused together in that manner. I haven't looked, did they release instructions on how one is supposed to replace their lens?

Agreed. No instructions came with my order. Honestly the sellers (Key Parts) are kind of dicks when you ask about anything. Definitely have to get a little creative on this one, but we’ll worth it for the looks of a shiny new tail light lens!

[Jtslick89]

Just now, MYE Jeep said:

Agreed. No instructions came with my order. Honestly the sellers (Key Parts) are kind of dicks when you ask about anything. Definitely have to get a little creative on this one, but we’ll worth it for the looks of a shiny new tail light lens!

 

 

I asked if the product came with instructions and they scoffed at me as if that was a ludicrous inquiry...so I agree, they are kind of dicks

[AZJeff]

11 hours ago, MYE Jeep said:

I use threebond on just about everything, it makes a strong bonded seal that holds up to weather well, but is flexible enough for a small amount of movement. 
 

As a retired mechanical engr., the first thing I did was read the tech. specs. On the various ThreeBond adhesives, and I saw a couple that might be effective for this application.

 

But…..I could not find anything on their website on how to buy their products through any retail channels.   Which product did you choose, and how did you obtain it?