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Opening Up Tailights

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Old 03-02-2013, 06:34 PM
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Opening Up Tailights

I have found one about doing it to the headlights, but what about the RX-8 tail lights? I am not sure if I want to bake them, dremmel them or get a heat gun and do it that way - any suggestions?

I do not even know which part of the "plastic" to peal from what, is it black vs clear all for both?

Also, what do I do about the LED running lights' wiring? Is there an easy way to remove that externally? And for the gasket, how do I re-glue it? What type of glue should I use?
Old 03-02-2013, 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by JamesD31
I have found one about doing it to the headlights, but what about the RX-8 tail lights? I am not sure if I want to bake them, dremmel them or get a heat gun and do it that way - any suggestions?

I do not even know which part of the "plastic" to peal from what, is it black vs clear all for both?

You could bake the headlights to open it up, but the tail lights, i don't think you could open it up baking it. Our tail lights are plastic fused together, and you cannot just open them up by baking it...i could be wrong, but if anybody found a way to open it up, then your a genius...
Old 03-02-2013, 09:16 PM
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The tail lights do not come apart like the headlights. Been discussed a bunch of times already. The end.
Old 03-03-2013, 04:45 AM
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Originally Posted by monchie
You could bake the headlights to open it up, but the tail lights, i don't think you could open it up baking it. Our tail lights are plastic fused together, and you cannot just open them up by baking it...i could be wrong, but if anybody found a way to open it up, then your a genius...
yup, tried this and failed
Old 03-03-2013, 06:42 AM
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I explain how to cut them open the right way so you avoid the fused keyhole section, install LEDs is you want, and reseal them. I have had mine on for over a year, LEDs are bright, you can't tell that I cut them open at all, and they have never leaked
https://www.rx8club.com/do-yourself-...hts-s1-224376/


Last edited by shakeyourbrakes; 03-03-2013 at 06:45 AM.
Old 03-03-2013, 12:45 PM
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That is one sexy ***.
Old 03-03-2013, 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by shakeyourbrakes
I explain how to cut them open the right way so you avoid the fused keyhole section, install LEDs is you want, and reseal them. I have had mine on for over a year, LEDs are bright, you can't tell that I cut them open at all, and they have never leaked
https://www.rx8club.com/do-yourself-...hts-s1-224376/


I am following your DIY btw. Hence the question. The only thing I am confused about with the dremmel approach, is where I should cut it? Do you have a video or an example somewhere?

I was attempting this yesterday, as I want to spray the chrome reflectors black, add the LED rings (I also have the 3-arm spider LED lights as the brakes, they look nice) and was going to do this since I just vinyl wrapped the interior.

I just was not sure where to make the cut "around" the tail lights.
Old 03-05-2013, 11:08 AM
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Bump - anyone got any ideas? I mean, I assume you follow the black / clear lines and cut there. But what about when you get to the passenger side light with the lock cover part? Is that removable or what?
Old 03-05-2013, 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by JamesD31
Bump - anyone got any ideas? I mean, I assume you follow the black / clear lines and cut there. But what about when you get to the passenger side light with the lock cover part? Is that removable or what?
Hey I talk about that in the DIY. As far as the lens, cut in the gap between the clear lens and the black plastic back. The gap goes around the whole light. Passenger side you need to cut only on the black backing when you get near the keyhole. If you look at the pics in the link above, one of them shows the light cut apart. Your basically leaving the entire keyhole section attached to the clear lens. All other black plastic is getting separated. Put the lights in the oven for a couple before you actually separate the pieces it will help the cuts split better
Old 03-05-2013, 01:13 PM
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All you need to know is there, sorry it was a little blurry
Old 03-05-2013, 10:07 PM
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This is a very difficult thing to do. You might mess it up or cracked it doing it. You need patience to do this thing, and i don't have that...
Old 03-06-2013, 10:20 AM
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I am aware of the potential problems. Though, I am willing to give it the shot. There is only one hard part - the cutting. Going slow and steady around it should not be to hard, especially without trying to do it all at once.

Now, another question came up. I think my right side tail light is losing the "red" LED running light. Is there a way to replace this / fix it?
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