hey there guys.
i recently opened up my tail lights and painted the chrome.
but when appplying on the silicone and puttin them back together. i noticed that one of them looked weird and then realized that i forgot to take off the tape which covered the red parts. :impatient
stupid me yes. so i took it apart and the silicone got all over the clear lens of the tail light.
stupid again. i know (i wasnt thinking)

is there any way to take off silicone from the lens? i used clay bar, alcohol, goo-gone and scrubbed/scratched at it (finger nails). but it would not budge or come off.

before i go and try to buy new lens is there any way to remove the smears of silicone?

any help would be appreciated. or if there is no way maybe if someone could sell me just the clear part or just the driver side tail light. (i dont think it would matter wat year. all lens would be the same right?)

here's pics. (can't see where i smeared the silicone. didnt show up in pictures)



(this side)

thanks in advance guys.

 

Though I can't answer your question, just wanted to let you know it looks good

Good luck

 

I don't want to get this off topic for you, but how did you remove the lense? I've been thinking about doing the same thing.

I would've though goo-gone would have taken it off for you...hmm...

 

thanks thanks.

but to take them off i used a dremel. just do only one little part until you can see the inside and enough room for a screw driver (minus one) to fit in. and then just start turning the screw driver. you'll hear cracking but that's the silicone. it's like a plastic silicone. but just work your way around twisting and turning until it's totally off.
i had enough ***** to do this but not the headlights just yet.

but the one that has silicone on the lens. has freaking water in it.....
i didnt seal it up too well..im gonna use another sealant to close it after opening it back up. and then before closing it back up try to clean it up using other methods?

but anyone else have any tips on gettin the silicone off? it looks like i got a big bug and just smeared it in the inside. :impatient
i need to get rid of it. it's bothering the crap out of me. (sigh me and my stupid mistakes...)

 

+1 !!!

 

hm..well i guess i can't take the silicone off. i opened them back up. used a whole bunch of stuff but it didnt come off. it actually got a little worse.
i'll just probably end up buying another set of tail lights. not anytime soon but probably later on.

i might try to buy the older generation lights. along with the back circuit part. there's a bigger selection on different tail lights.

 

after a few years of intence sun you will be able to scratch it off with your finger nail.anything abrasive will scratch the lense. there is no solvent for dry silicone.

 

man..oh well. i totally scratched up my lens tho. :impatient

anyone selling 05-06 tail lights?

 

I was curious, I have heard under the chrome it is red like the tail lights. Is this true? I want to make my tail lights all red.
Thank you and great work
Mairo

 

Mario, visit my gallery if you want to see what the insides look like, I'm not sure which part you're speaking of. I also wrote a how too over on M|U HERE.

Like pmfranke said, heat will probably work best for the removal of the silicon on the lens. Start with a hairdyer unless you have experience using a heat gun. A pencil's eraser might work too, but test in a hidden spot first.

 

Thanks Bro, I'm going to paint everything red and I have so hobby paint for the orange plastic turn signal. This way everything will be one color.
I loved my dark tinted tail lights on my black Mini but I just got 4 tickets. Time for a change.
Mario

 

sorry for the late reply but under the chrome i think it is red. but taking all the chrome off is gonna be a pita. if ya kno wat im sayin..
cause i think after i painted it. i dont remember but i think i chipped it on one part. paint and chrome came off where it chipped.
but if i may add. be very careful when taking it apart. either take off all the plastic-y silicone or get more rubbery silicone material. cause mine leaked a a lot of water on one side. i bought new tail lights and covered them in the red vinyl from lyle.
good luck on your project tho!

 

I really thought that taking the chrome off wasnt too bad. Little tiring for your arm but only 30 mns work. Looks AWESOME all red

 

yeah..i should i looked up more into it. but live and learn. i bought a new set so i have the old ones just sitting there. dont think anyone would want them but might as well try to sell them i guess? o.O

 

Hey Neil, do u think the 02-04 tail lights have chrome under them like the 05-06?
Mario

 

I have done both 03 and 04. Remove the chrome and it's black. Scuff and paint.
Jason

 

I have done both 03 and 04. Remove the chrome and it's black. Remove chrome with scotchbrite or acetone, scuff and paint.
Jason