Finally did it, repaired the faded tail light.
08-08-2012, 10:09 PM
#1
Finally did it, repaired the faded tail light. Followed a few write ups on here and decided while my computer is out, I'd relocate my traction control, and more importantly, fixing the corroded tail light.
So I pulled it off, and stuck it it the oven at 220. Mistake one. Putting it directly on the rack will warp it. Not bad, but anyone trying should use a towel or something. So after 15-20 minutes, I popped it out and started separating. Used a knife and a flat head. It makes some horrible noises, but it's glue breaking. Finally got it apart, and it was all black. No chrome left. So I took it outside, sprayed it, and remembered to take pictures.
Here it is painted.
Then we started clamping and using rtv to seal
It up.
Here it is drying.
And here's a before.
And after!
I know there's write ups, just figured I'd share. I encourage others to try, cheap and didn't take long at all. Maybe an hour.
So I pulled it off, and stuck it it the oven at 220. Mistake one. Putting it directly on the rack will warp it. Not bad, but anyone trying should use a towel or something. So after 15-20 minutes, I popped it out and started separating. Used a knife and a flat head. It makes some horrible noises, but it's glue breaking. Finally got it apart, and it was all black. No chrome left. So I took it outside, sprayed it, and remembered to take pictures.
Here it is painted.
Then we started clamping and using rtv to seal
It up.
Here it is drying.
And here's a before.
And after!
I know there's write ups, just figured I'd share. I encourage others to try, cheap and didn't take long at all. Maybe an hour.
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ws6outlaw (07-10-2023)
08-08-2012, 10:35 PM
#4
I did that to mine but mine had already some damage from a "previuos fix" and it eventually cracked at the corners a little. It served me well for about a year until I bought a new taillight. Yours came out perfect! Congrats on the fix!
08-09-2012, 03:26 AM
#6
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i did this as well a couple months ago. it came out near perfect however i could still tell the other tail light was still a tad bit brighter and i could see through the reverse lights that it was more reflective than the chrome spray paint i used. i've been wondering if using reflective chrome tape would have been a better choice. even tho its not perfect, its a huge improvement from what i had to start with and no one notices unless i tell them to specifically look which light is brighter.
08-09-2012, 05:25 AM
#7
Thanks for the kind words, I used black rtv, and dupli color
Chrome paint. The 99¢ clamps from harbor freight worked perfect.
Chrome paint. The 99¢ clamps from harbor freight worked perfect.
Last edited by Sail Hatan; 12-01-2012 at 05:53 AM.
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08-09-2012, 05:34 AM
#8
i did this as well a couple months ago. it came out near perfect however i could still tell the other tail light was still a tad bit brighter and i could see through the reverse lights that it was more reflective than the chrome spray paint i used. i've been wondering if using reflective chrome tape would have been a better choice. even tho its not perfect, its a huge improvement from what i had to start with and no one notices unless i tell them to specifically look which light is brighter.
08-09-2012, 10:55 PM
#11
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its not that big of a deal for me, mine are close enough that its not worth the hassle to try and seperate the other one. and like sail hatan said, the faded one used to be black so at least its back to reflective chrome.
12-24-2012, 01:29 PM
#17
