Has anyone painted the rear, upper tail light/reflectors?

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Mar 7, 2018 | 10:16 AM

#21

ercdvs

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Joined: Jan 2018

Posts: 58

From: Springfield. PA

That is an option, but now I am reconsidering the light replacement there as well.

Mar 8, 2018 | 02:53 AM

#22

Amabento

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Joined: Jan 2018

Posts: 83

From: MKEWI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddiev8

Saw this pic on insta literally before i saw this post and i was like perfect! It looks good in my opinion and you can probably take them off and use some VHT night shades or plastidip
Up to you.

Pic by tfc_koichi<br/>And tomomixx57's gk5

Thanks for posting this... it answers the question of whether going with a black wrap to match the black pillars around other windows would work. Even the front windshield has the black on either side... this is encouraging. I dig the added touch of tinted film on the reverse center light, but mine is an EX (The chrome is designed to line up with it). I’d tint the lights all around or none.

Mar 8, 2018 | 03:30 PM

#23

wasserball

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Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 1,098

From: Friendswood, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by nisco

I removed both pieces (two 8mm nuts on each side,) washed with dish detergent, let dry, wipe with rubbing alcohol, laid the vinyl, and heat treated with heat gun. Heat gun should be used for setting the shape at the end not during in order to prevent excessive stretch in when laying down the vinyl. Make sure to cover all the clear red plastic, when you open the hatch side portions of the reflector are visible and look bad if not covered with vinyl.

I released the two 8mm nuts, but there seem to be some interference that prevents the reflector from coming out. I don't want to force and crack the reflectors if I use brute force. What is the technique to get the reflectors out?

Mar 8, 2018 | 08:33 PM

#24

Fuelish

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Joined: Jun 2016

Posts: 948

From: Foothills of the Smokies, east Tennessee

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasserball

There's the 2 nuts, and there's a "pin" "clip" kinda thing (for lack of better words) into the hatch...gentle upwards wiggling should free it easily...I gently tapped up on the threaded shafts with a small wrench and wiggled a bit. It's easy enough to get 'em off

Mar 9, 2018 | 12:38 AM

#25

wasserball

Member

Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 1,098

From: Friendswood, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuelish

Thanks. So, there is some alignment dojigger that is keeping the reflectors in place.

Mar 9, 2018 | 07:21 AM

#26

Fuelish

Member

Joined: Jun 2016

Posts: 948

From: Foothills of the Smokies, east Tennessee

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasserball

Thanks. So, there is some alignment dojigger that is keeping the reflectors in place.

Correct....it does seem more for alignment than actually clipping in. I thought it was gonna be troublesome when I did an initial test-run of removing them, as it didn't seem like they would come off. Put 'em back on after that, took 'em off again a few days later when I actually had the time and the PlastiDip, and it's really quite easy, in the scheme of things once you take into accout those "pins" - one per side. This was my first experience with PlastiDip, and dunno if it's the nature of the product or my shoddy spraying, but it came out with a slight textured appearance, almost mimicking the plastic dashboard texture subtlely. Definitely worth the $7.99 can and a bit of time if those red trim pieces annoy you as much as they did me