So a few weeks ago here in Texas it was hotter than hell. Well over 105 for about 3 weeks. Here's what that did to my tail lights:







I know the tails are modded, but I can see no way that the mods would have led to this happening. Also I apologize for the quality of the pics, they were taken with an iphone4 in midday. I can only assume that the slight bulge in the clear cover somehow magnified the sun onto that exact spot of the diffuser. The same spot is melted on both sides, just under the bulge. I was staying in a hotel so my car was in the elements for about two months.

 

Ouch! 3rd pic really looks like a smile.

 

WTF? Is there a vent behind the lense?

 

You need to find a tree or a car cover.
direct texas sun light is no joke.

 

I have a garage now that I've moved into my new home. I also have another set of tails on the way (customized the same way). I'm curious though, has anyone ever seen or experienced anything like this? I'm almost certain that it is because of the tail light design. As all other vehicles in the same heat had no such issues.

 

you say they have been modded, first question is how where they opened, if done like people do there headlights in the oven, the heat from that may have distort the lense or something and got rid of it's "hardness" (sorry can't really explain it better, but think of steel and heat treating it, same kinda idea but with the plastic intead though)

 

that has to be due in part to the modding...

 

no melting when it was 107' a few weeks ago near dfw I think friesm2000 & vinnier6 are on the right track

 

i also that due to them being darker inside now (painted, instead of chrome; i think, sorry only got a 2g tl), that it is basically retaining the heat inside of the tail light now instead of being rejected out, and the plastic basically hit it's "critical" temperature, so the sagging plastic (and it is in a spot because heat rises, and it is a long stretch of flat plastic in that area)




it could also be that a vent hole or two was somehow inadvertently plugged too; not allowing some of the heat out during that hot weather; during the modding/resealing process idk

 

They tail's are taken apart with a dremel, not baked. I believe you might be on the right track with the black reflector instead of chrome. To achieve a tinted look, the chrome reflector behind the red diffuser was painted a high-gloss black. This method ensures the tails are still DOT approved and 100% legal. As for a sealed vent hole? I have no clue on that one. I'd have to see another OEM tail to compare.

 

was not totally sure how they had been opened in the first place

and them still being 100% DOT approved LMFAO, you have affected the lumen output of the light itself (which is part of the reason for them putting the chrome in there, in the first place), which now has a good chance of falling below the required amount of light output
but as far as the local donut shop being about to prove that they fall below the required amount of light output, kinda hard without special equipment, and more then likely not one that they can easily take in the car either (i would imagine the car would have to be in a pitch black room, so a light meter is only reading the tail light itself, and nothing else)


then as far as that vent hole being plugged, it would be more then likely just a little hole; probably with a cover over it, to help keep dirt out; that basically just allows any condensation inside the tail light to evaporate, and at the same time allowing the air pressure inside to equalize, and it may be as simple as you got a little paint/ sealant over the opening idk

 

lol you know what I meant about the DOT approved :p . Defo a lot better than painting over the exterior of the housing. Also the back-up and turn signal reflectors are left stock.

 

, but yeah a roadside check should be no issue

 

Yep, no issue at all. Now I just need to install some non melted ones.

 

only thing i see though, is if that darker paint did indeed do that damage, you are going to have the same issue down the line (yes a garage will keep it from melting again for the time being), but what happens if you go shopping or something and the car is allowed to bake in the sun again... (yes it will probably only happen on a few select days, but then again my car is a DD, so i don't want to have to worry about that type of shit)

 

Well, the set I ordered to replace them still have the chrome reflectors, but the diffusers are lightly tinted from behind. I hope that will mitigate the issue. If all else fails then I will go back to OEM lol.

 

I have seen this happen on a few 3G TLs tail lights which are stock. This is the main reason why we don't bake them, but have to use a dremel. It is defiantly not because of the modification, but maybe how they were sealed? The black background is a special gloss black so no light output is sacrificed and its defiantly because you left your car outside in the heat for 2 months. I would invest in a car cover as mentioned before, and you should be fine.

 

Funny thing is, I have a car cover. I just didn't expect my tails to melt lol. I am glad to hear that I'm not the ony case. Since you've been modding 4g tails as well, I have to ask are there any vents/holes to equalize pressure, let out moisture, and/or let heat escape like the ones mentioned above?