BigTL

So, after seeing some members mod their Type S Tails I decided to give a try. I used a set of 04-06 tails and a set of 07-08 base tails. The process is pretty much the same as everyone else, cut the lights, take your time, be careful, take your time, and hope for the best.

Here are some pic of the process. I started with cutting a 06 tail around the sides and top just inside the plastic casing.





These cuts were made using a regular Dremel plastic cutting tool. I've found a thin cut version of the tool that's a little more precise than the regular tool (Sorry for the bad pic - still figuring out my camera).



After removing the difusser and re-assembling the parts I decided to go with the clear-chrome setup. I left the difusser out because I wanted the red to "pop" a little more in the tails. We'll see!



I think they turned out pretty good except for something I noticed on the right tail light!



In the upper left hand corner the plastic is cracked! It must have happened when I tried to remove the original parts. Oh well. For now they will do. I'll have to order another set and redo the right side.

I hope to get these installed on my PMM soon. Since I've had my headlights cleared, the tails should look OK chromed out.

woobs-tl

i love the tails. I was just looking at some on ebay but they sold before i got the chance to put in a bid.

csmeance

added to the 3G garage!

pwr2panda

get some pics with the brake lights on!
i really wanna see if removing the diffuser makes a big difference.

how do they look on the car?

ciscopath

iTrader: (1)

From what I can tell, these are the AFTER photos judging by the way the jagged edges on the lense portion aren't matching the assembly which means the light sits more INSIDE the body instead of one flat surface due to the plastic grounded away on the lense and assembly. If that's the case, thing water will sit in that groove and eventually wash/eat/dissolve away whatever sealant you're using causing them to fog up (does it sound like I'm speaking from experience??) Definitely take some photos of them installed so we can get a better idea of how it looks. And a photo after splashing some water on there to check for puddling.

ciscopath

iTrader: (1)

And I'm not knocking the website you used to host your photos, but I accidentally clicked on one and the "Adult21" banner they use is definitely NOT WORK SAFE. So if I lose my job over this, expect a visit.

BigTL

They are modified lights. I don't think the placement of the light will change since the screw connection inside the diffuser has not changed, just the space used for the cuts. This will be filled with Permatex Silicone which is rated for engine use.

kevino260

iTrader: (2)

When you put it together, did you just snap it back, or did you use glue?

Pharonocon

There is no snapping back together that is involved. These tail lights are not made to be taken apart.

Epoxy and silicone these back together. Keep in mind that this mod is much more of a pain than it seems.

If you want some custom tails done by someone with plenty of experience, then contact Acktl05. He is a vendor on these forums.

If you decide to do it yourself, then here is DIY that I did. Maybe it will help out a bit.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...g+tails+voyage

NCTL05

iTrader: (9)

Lol.

rossv1

They look SICK! If only I could get myself to do it.

ak22guard

Amazing job man...thank you for sharing

fayjairich

WOW! very nice.. i wonder how it will look like on a SSM?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Thread revival...I'm officially inspired...never liked how the USR turn signal area was so clear. Will likely smoke it and add a little carbon fiber.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Ha...so I'm the last guy to post and again revive it 8 months later...so I just bought a backup set of reds...so I can cut open my chipped and cracked set then...
I actually just bought the quick release set for my dremel....I'm sure it'll work just fine. I'll be careful not to crack. I have a practice set at least before I open up my ghost tails.

I was thinking about how to close them up to be water proof, I think i will end up using a few metal tabs and screws to strength and then just put some butyl tape around the seam I cut...that way, it'd be easy to reopen in the future if I ever change my mind.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

I was thinking of doing the same thing with my taillights too. Idk about the screw and metal tabs though, our taillights sit pretty flush with the frame of the car all around. Maybe you could lay butyl in between the front and back, let that harden, the run a bead of clear silicone around it?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I'm not sure, man...I guess so. I am not 100% on opening them yet...I might rock the NON damaged red stockies I'm getting for a bit until I decide...switch it up. I've gotten sick of the type S's...EVERYONE has swapped to type s's.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Maybe a thread title change to something that's easier to find and ALL encompassing like "DIY Tail Light Mod Cutting Open Tails 3G TL Acura"....I had a hard time finding this thread but here is my contribution

I'm sorry, but I reloaded my DIY page twice and lost the whole post so this one will be VERY quick.

Some lessons learned...
You can use butyl tape to seal up, like with headlights...
uninstall and reinstall the bezel starting/ending from the inner lower trunk corner of the light.












Here is my progress...


End result (copied from my progress thread post)
Ok, so I had a pretty productive weekend. Decided to tackle a few mods I'd been meaning to and one I DIDN'T.

Fixed my shock sensor, and finally finished sanding and polishing and sealing my headlights. Goodbye yellow tint in certain lighting!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993751951/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993751951/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr



THEN, for some reason yesterday I decided that my type S tails in the attic, were never going to be back on the car with the chrome bezel, (and small corner chip)...so might as well give modding tails another shot. Overall...not too bad.

Check out my culmination of diy threads and hopeful garage entries.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=618762&page=4
Also a little DIY from other members on how to make it EASY to swap tails in the future.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...8#post14040738



Here are my end results


What I did was:
NPB color matched bezel
CF wrap on reflector
removed frosted lens
sealed back up with butyl tape

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993773380/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993773380/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
OLD USR Smoked WITH frosted lens in place
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993772260/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993772260/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993770584/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993770584/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
New OEM modded Type S tails with NO frost in place
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993764711/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993764711/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993771124/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993771124/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
comparison
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993763783/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993763783/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr

and just some other shots from my favorite place to shoot
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993761913/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993761913/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993769072/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993769072/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993760133/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993760133/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993767220/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993767220/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993758191/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993758191/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993758191/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993758191/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993757441/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993757441/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993756533/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993756533/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993755491/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993755491/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993762804/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993762804/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993759672/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993759672/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993761752/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993761752/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993752659/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/7993752659/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

Nice seeing someone seal it this way finally. I've been wanting to try it. Any leaks yet when you wash your car.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I installed today, but I'll keep you posted. I'd be HIGHLY surprised if i got water leakage with the butyl.

nguyendm3

iTrader: (2)

Your TL looks amazing!

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Why thank you! I appreciate the feedback!

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

^SEX on wheels

great job mr. rockstar

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Evil...thank you, first of all. And that Avatar, loving it.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

...Evil, again, new avi didn't disappoint either.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

for a more comprehensive thread on WHERE TO CUT, see here:
page 2, mainly
https://acurazine.com/forums/showt...ail+lights+mod

talmadgeryan

iTrader: (1)

So Sorry. I am having a hard time figuring this out. why do you need a set of 07-08 tails and a set of 04-06?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Depends on what you're doing...if you're looking to do ghost tails, you need the clear insides of the 04-06 and then the clear lens of an 07-08. Or just get USR ghost tails...

pearl905

My custom taillights in the works

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Nicely done.
Oh, never reported back but zero issues with water intrusion with the butyl only method.

usdmJON

Soooo fucking legit dude!! Props!

When my lease is up I'll definitely be cutting into my tail lights and clear out my head lights as well.

Nick216

^ if your gonna buy out your lease anyway, why wait on modding?

d1sturb3d119

iTrader: (1)

Rockstar's TL looks freaking gorgeous! Really awesome highlights!

pearl905

Just buy another set like I did. I currently have 05 base tails on the car now, which will eventually get chopped up to get the clear brake and turn signal lenses out.

TL_Trell

iTrader: (1)

I saw it asked earlier..well kind of, about needing to have a set of 04-06 and 07-08 to do the mods and response was it depends on what you are doing. Is there a tail light mod for the 06 all reds that doesnt involve buying another of set of tail. like JUST modding the 06? ive looked everywhere and all i see are mods using 07-08 tails also.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

Depends on if you are looking to have a red outer lens or a clear outer lens. If you're looking to do any internal modding than I would suggest a clear outer lens which can only be used with 07-08 Base or Type S taillights.

It all depends on what kind of look you're trying to achieve with the taillights.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

rockstars "super reds" and "red stripes" are both 100% 04-06 tails.

TL_Trell

iTrader: (1)

yep. The rockstar is more of what im looking for to go on my AM TL. something with a dark color in it.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

^That's what I did.

TL_Trell

iTrader: (1)

so im guessing the process is just the same for other tail mods? cut it open and paint the inside?