I've read a couple of the DIY's regarding tail lights and they mention cooking them for about 5-6 minutes at 300 degrees. I did this but It's still super duper tight on that silicone stuff that holds the housing together. Anyone got any more specific experience with this or advice on getting the pieces apart?

Also, anyone know whether it's possible to order the specific components of the tail lights without having them fully assembled? Or, are the alternate configurations of lights (red/smoke, red/clear, euro, 97+) any easier to take apart?

I've got a ton of resources on tap for LED customization, once we get the stupid things apart. I guess I should be proud in that the lights are sealed REALLY well, but I want the things apart.

Anyway, if anyone has any advice on this I'd really appreciate it, and I'd cut you a deal on LED customs once we get this thing up and running.

 

Ok, so Update #1. I tried cooking it in short bursts (not more than 5 minutes). The silicone or whatever's holding it together definitely becomes more malleable, and there is slight separation at one point, but it seems like the silicone is so strong that it won't ever come loose without damaging the lenses or the backing.

 

Update #2. Scratch 1/2 of a pair of tail lights. I cracked the yellow lens trying to take it apart. I actually got some separation, but damn me if it's not very difficult. The hardest part is the top part that's under the black cover. The rest of the light, I think I could get apart if I was really really patient, but I want to know how people who have done this get around that top plastic piece. I can't get the screwdriver behind that piece without damaging it.

 

Update #3. I don't know how the hell anyone does this without breaking the lights. I really don't. I finally got the light apart. The internal lenses seem to be just as tough to get out.

I've got a good test bed for my LED solution, but it's still going to be tough to do with a set of tails that I care about. At least if they are all put together the same way my OEM ones were.

 

I did 250 degrees at 10 minutes and once the glue starts to harden i throw it back in for 3 minutes and repeat.

 

Didnt the rear have three screws in them? Did you see any? The silicone shouldnt be that strong, last time i did the front ones. at least you got them apart. keep us posted on the results man.

 

You need to take lots of time taking them apart. And yes there are screws inside the lights. My friend helped me with mine and we didn't break anything. Takes a lot more patience than headlights.

 

I definitely wasn't ready for the toughness of the silicone. I got the screws before I started.

I'm actually going to be doing my other stock tail light soon so we can get the LED's in there, so with the experience of my first one I should be OK.

I'm actually trying to track down the manufacturer of the EBAY red/smoke, red/clear and euro (the big bug eye red ones) lights. I want to get the backing piece and the lens piece and leave out everything inbetween. With all the middle stuff gone, it's the perfect pallette for some LED art work to go on.

I'm hoping to learn everything I need off this old pair, I have a pair of 97+ tails that will serve as my first real prototype once we get all the supplies. My biggest problem is trying to keep my friends from trying to make the lights too custom with programming involved. I want the first pair to just work and look awesome.

Anyway, I appreciate the help. Once I get my process down, it's ON!

 

keep us posted.