question about j30 tail light removal

[j30t]

I removed the tail light on my j30t and was wondering how you pull of the backing of it because i am trying to get to the yellow colored turn signal so i can heat it up and try peeling it off. How do you do get to this area....i cant find anymore screws or anything to get it off

[Q451990]

You have the entire assembly off of the car? If so that's about all you're going to get to without cutting it - at least if it's built like the Q Tail lights. The black backing that holds on the screw studs for attaching it to the body appears to snap together with the lens assembly. I tried prying them apart and found that they're glued together - probably to prevent water from getting in. Also, I think the plastic is died all the way through... you might try to find an old one in a junk yard or on eBay to experiment with.

Of course all of this is based on Q experience, but I'd think the J would be similar.

Heath

[Mayhem_J30]

I agree, start with one from a junkyard to be safe.

[j30t]

i have one from ebay....just thought it was easier to get that piece off and peel off the ugly yellow turn lights....

[Q451990]

You might try heating up the light to see if it'll separate... you could also drill into the plastic to see if the color is constant throughout... assuming you don't mind destroying your spare to experiment.

[Eswift]

i tried a similar technique, and found that (at least on 94s and earlier) the outer layer is clear which is glued to an inner layer which is two pieces, one amber and one red. inside of that are the fresnel lenses. i doubt you can separate the colored layer from the outer layer because it is either permanently glued or thermoset together. You could, however, take the whole part off and put your own lexan layer over it, but i bet that would look like crap.

[VimyJ]

I believe that under the law one has to have a prism lens for the turn signals and tail lights. Safety issue.

[Eswift]

i meant to leave the fresnel lens in and just replace the outer two polycarbonate (or whatever they are) layers. i wouldnt reccomend doing it, but if somebodys got some spare lights, id like to see how it turns out.