I am painting my 87 Bird and since the t/l's are out I figured now would be a good time to clean them up. I have seperated the bulb holder from the lense but am curious if the outer lense will seperate from the fins. I would rather ask before I break something. Also any suggestions what you guys have used for re-assembly?
Well I used some chrome paint on the reflector part of the light so they would be really nice and bright. Then use some Mother billet metal polish to make those lens nice and new looking. As far as reassembly I do believe that you can just reuse the metal clips that hold the light together.
just did the same to headlights and taillights just use care in pulling them apart not cheap to replace and most in se yards are busted.
I was hoping they pulled apart, the reflector part is fine. Its just that they are filthy between the outer lense and the portion with the fins.
yeah they pull apart the headlights are different story had to use a heat gun along the seems.
now if i could kust get it to start
They do come apart but you have to be REALLY careful. The finned part is fused onto the lens in a few select spots. I believe it was a heated plastic process that fused them. Find the spots, pop them apart, you're good. Use your hands, no screwdrivers! Keep in mind that this can easily crack the lens or finned part.
If you're successful, you can use a few small dabs of clear silicone to reattach the finned part to the lens.
I found slightly tweaking the lense back and forth (SLIGHTLY) then try and pop the fins out with your finger and they usually come out
worked for me
just dont bend to hard or you will crack something
wich product is the best for outside taillight cleaning?/restoring
If you were to scroll up you would see that we told ya Mother billet metal polish! I guess your fingers were tired. I understand mine get like that too after a long day of work!
DO it this way it says it is for the corners but It works for any type of this app.
http://www.coolcats.net/modifying/headlights.html
You can also use the same methods for headlamp restoration using the kits they sell in auto parts store. some of them come with polish and a buffing wheel that you can attach to a drill. Unless the outer lens in severley deteriorated like headlamps can get you will not need to go through the wet sanding process as recomended for headlamps. Deeper scratches require longer polishing time to get them unnoticeable.