Trans Am Tail lights
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Zephyrhills, FL. from Rochester, NY
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trans Am Tail lights
Anybody now how to fix mosture in the grid of trans am tail lights. The grid is kind loose and I wanna fix it.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Webster,Texas,USA
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1990 Formula
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: 700R4
i just repainted mine....came out very well...
------------------
click below to check out the new Formula Source....
www.theformulasource.com
or click below to check out my Formula350.......
www.formula350.com
or click below to email me
webmaster@theformulasource.com
------------------
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I have experience......unfortunatly its a result of bad judgement......</font>
click below to check out the new Formula Source....
www.theformulasource.com
or click below to check out my Formula350.......
www.formula350.com
or click below to email me
webmaster@theformulasource.com
#4
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 999
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: 400
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.70
Formula90, what did you mean when you said you repainted yours. I have the same problem with moisture in mine and would like to fix them. Did you repaint the grid or did you black out the whole thing.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Zephyrhills, FL. from Rochester, NY
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well guys I got the actual cover to the TA tail lights off, This is the outer portion with the grid, I'm thinking if I use a heat gun it will remelt the plastic grid to the plastic. I've tried a hair dryer but not getting hot enough.
Also I noticed while taking the Tail light cobers apart you can actually leave the red peice out and have it actually look clear. And I should say it doesn't look have bad, I'm thinking I could try to find a clear piece that could fit back into the Taillights so it would be illuminate better.
Or maybe I could get a peice of glass then sand it and fit it in, What do you think?
Also I noticed while taking the Tail light cobers apart you can actually leave the red peice out and have it actually look clear. And I should say it doesn't look have bad, I'm thinking I could try to find a clear piece that could fit back into the Taillights so it would be illuminate better.
Or maybe I could get a peice of glass then sand it and fit it in, What do you think?
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Webster,Texas,USA
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1990 Formula
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: 700R4
yea...but even if you took the red out, it wont fix the white spots on the grid. And if I might add, even if you heat it up, it wont fix it. That is moisture in there and has mixed with the glue. So... I did this...
This takes some time...but, it looks real good after it is completed...
get some file labels and cut some out, (a @ss load actually) that would fit on the clear part, not the grid itself. Put them on everyone untill you have the whole taillight covered so all you see is the black grid where the bubbles are. Do not forget to cut some long ones for the reverse light area also. Take your time and make sure every label is cut exactly to the area to be covered (this is where most of your time will go)
After you have all the stickers on (by the way, these stickers are to protect the area where the light shines through) sand the whole lense using a high grade sandpaper. Do it lightly, this will also sand the labels also, this is why I used folder labels because they are thick enough for the whole process and also, will peel off real easy when the project is done.
repeat the sanding process.
ok...now the fun part. Get some high gloss black from your local parts house along with some clear coat. start laying on some thin coats, alowing dry times of at least a half hour between coats. If it is warm outside, it may be sooner. It may take up to 5 or 6 coats. Now this is the important part, TAKE YOUR TIME PAINTING!! THIS WILL DETERMINE THE RESULT OF YOUR PROJECT!! Just dont rush it. You will be glad you did. After you have a good glossy look going, give it another thirty minutes or so...then wash it with soapy water.
Dry it good, then apply your clear coat the same way... remember, patience.
After clearing the taillight, peel the labels off, then wash the whole taillight with the soapy water. Dry, then wait a day, then apply your favorite wax, buff it out, and then you have some better than new tailights. i have done mine that way, and get compliments on them and nobody ever , ever knows that they were painted on the outside... but, it is a lengthy project..just a warning...
Oh yeah, you might wanna do your center piece also because it will probably not shine as much as your tailights. Just tape off the bird with some masking tape and get a exacto knife and cut around the bird and go from there....
here are some night pics..i will get some day pics soon...
#1
#2
------------------
click below to check out the new Formula Source....
www.theformulasource.com
or click below to check out my Formula350.......
www.formula350.com
or click below to email me
webmaster@theformulasource.com
[This message has been edited by formula90 (edited December 08, 2001).]
This takes some time...but, it looks real good after it is completed...
get some file labels and cut some out, (a @ss load actually) that would fit on the clear part, not the grid itself. Put them on everyone untill you have the whole taillight covered so all you see is the black grid where the bubbles are. Do not forget to cut some long ones for the reverse light area also. Take your time and make sure every label is cut exactly to the area to be covered (this is where most of your time will go)
After you have all the stickers on (by the way, these stickers are to protect the area where the light shines through) sand the whole lense using a high grade sandpaper. Do it lightly, this will also sand the labels also, this is why I used folder labels because they are thick enough for the whole process and also, will peel off real easy when the project is done.
repeat the sanding process.
ok...now the fun part. Get some high gloss black from your local parts house along with some clear coat. start laying on some thin coats, alowing dry times of at least a half hour between coats. If it is warm outside, it may be sooner. It may take up to 5 or 6 coats. Now this is the important part, TAKE YOUR TIME PAINTING!! THIS WILL DETERMINE THE RESULT OF YOUR PROJECT!! Just dont rush it. You will be glad you did. After you have a good glossy look going, give it another thirty minutes or so...then wash it with soapy water.
Dry it good, then apply your clear coat the same way... remember, patience.
After clearing the taillight, peel the labels off, then wash the whole taillight with the soapy water. Dry, then wait a day, then apply your favorite wax, buff it out, and then you have some better than new tailights. i have done mine that way, and get compliments on them and nobody ever , ever knows that they were painted on the outside... but, it is a lengthy project..just a warning...
Oh yeah, you might wanna do your center piece also because it will probably not shine as much as your tailights. Just tape off the bird with some masking tape and get a exacto knife and cut around the bird and go from there....
here are some night pics..i will get some day pics soon...
#1
#2
------------------
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I have experience......unfortunatly its a result of bad judgement......</font>
click below to check out the new Formula Source....
www.theformulasource.com
or click below to check out my Formula350.......
www.formula350.com
or click below to email me
webmaster@theformulasource.com
[This message has been edited by formula90 (edited December 08, 2001).]
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post