Hi guys,

I know there's a lot of thread about tinted tail lights and side markers. You can also find a lot of great DIY how to remove all four side markers. But here's my version with some pictures that could help you accomplish a simple and cheap mod.

I'll begin this DIY with the front side markers and will add the rear ones later(missing some pics).

First you need some tools
-Filips screw driver
-Flat head screw driver
-Soapy water
-Hair dryer or industrial dryer
-Small plastic plate (use for vinyl application, see picture)
-Some free time
-Lamin-x decalls from lamin-x.com (~20$ shipped)

Some of the tools needed


FRONT SIDE MARKERS
1)First, you need to remove 4 screws(blue) and a clip(red) from the inner fender...
Turn your wheel so you could access the screw easily (no need to remove the wheel)


The clip is a bit hard to remove cause of the crap into it, be carefull its easy to brake,!!! TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!

2)Next step, you'll need to push the inner fender toward the center of the car cause its kind of stuck under the fender, dont worry its easy to put back


3)When you have enough space to put your hand inside the fender its far enough. Stick your hand in the fender to reach the marker. Your gonna have to unclip the closest one first, then push a little and the marker will pop off...
Here's the clip...pretty small and easy to remove.


Here's where I poped the marker out of the fender....

4) Simply disconnect the wire and your good for the NEXT ONE

5)When you have the lights out, simply put back the fender with all the screws and clips...

6)Tint step, if you dont know how to apply a vinyl on a NON horizontal surface I suggest that you ask somebody to do it for you. The front ones are easier then the rear but you still need to know what you're doing.

7)First you need to clean as much as possible both lights to remove all dust and crap. (Bon ami is a good product for that)

8)When everything is clean, take the 1 vinyl and remove the paper that covers the glued side while applying a TIN coat of soapy water.DONT put tomuch


while the water still on it you can move the vinyl on the light as much as you want 2, make sure everything is aligned perfectly cause its a bit tight.


9)when you've found the perfect place, you simply turn on the hair dryer and put the lights under it, the heat will make the vinyl expendable and easy to work.Simply push the water/bubbles with the plastic tool trough the sides.


Make sure that there's no bubble left and that the vinyl is perfectly applied. Dont be scared to put the heat at MAXIMUM, the hotter the better(watch your hands).

10) when your done simply cut the extra surrounding pieces and put them back on your car


HERE'S the final RESULTS, sorry for cheap pictures, I'll try to take some tomorow morning with a rising SUN


Rear ones:


Next: I'll give you a small DIY on how to get to the rear ones in 5 mins and some more pics

 

thank you

 

Cool.

Can you get a couple pics of them lit up - Day & Night?

 

Wow taking them out looks easier than I thought! Lets see the back ones! Im curious as to how to toake them out!

Nice Write up!

 

I will when I get home!

Easy lol it took me 10min total for the front ones, its alot easier to remove the rear by the way.

I'll write a DIY with some pics when I get home!!!

Thanks for the comments!

 

I see you use a Vidal Sassoon hair dryer, do you think I would get the same results with, say, a hair dryer from Conair?

In you professional opinion what are the advantages of the Vidal Sassoon vs. it's competitors?

(nice diy + nice job =p)

 

More important question...what impact does an ionic hairdryer have on the install over a non-ionic hairdryer?

 

LOL !! Dont get me wrong the vidal sassoon of my sister isn't a great tool, I had to put it at MAXIMUM.

If you can get a industrial dryer thats the best. Industrial I mean the one they use to apply tint on your window.
Like this one

 

Here's the procedure to remove the rear side markers without braking anything.

Tools needed
1)Towel
2)Flat screw driver

1)Pull the rubber out of the edge so you can remove the trunk plastic lip.


2)Then put your hands under the plastic lip and pull UP. There's 4 small white clip and its very easy to pop OFF. Be carefull not to loose does clips.


3)Use the towel to create some grip on the NET older and unscrew it (red), turn Counterclockwise. Its basically a big screw. See picture, thats the only one you remove. When your done with the Net older screw. Remove the small clip.




4) Now you need to be gentle and pull the trunk side toward the center of the car. So you could access the light.


5)Simply stick your hand inside and reach the side marker. Again here same as the front, theirs 2 clips on both sides, its pretty easy to access them both so take the time to unclip both (dont push on the light like the front ones)

(See old post for a picture of the clips)

When the light is out, do the next one and then replace everything in reverse order cause to put back the light you only need to connect de wire + push the light IN.

Hope this helped someone.

 

Final results (sorry for the dirty car)
OFF




ON

 

THANKS!! I thought the back ones required to go through the rear fender, thanks for the write up good buddy!

 

are the sidemarkers lightbulb just a regular led?

 

where is the best place to buy a smoked sidemarker that matches the front?

 

http://www.uniquestyleracing.com/20actlclorsm.html

or

ebay as far as I know

 

it's called a "Type-S Rear Sidemarker" or you can buy the aftermarket kinds which aren't as perfect looking as the oem type-s side markers.

i think you can get a used type-s side marker for less than $100..

 

ohh if thats what you meant then 3 options
1) BM
2)AckTL05
3) local junk yard (good luck)

 

What percent tint did you use?

 

Maybe a stupid question, but will TYPE-S side markers work on a Base model TL?
Thanks!

 

thank you. very informative

 

yes, they work. there are also aftermarket sidemarkers. they dont look exactly like the type-s, but close, and cheaper.

 

Here are the DEPO aftermarket rear side markers: http://www.ebay.com/itm/400432533647...84.m1423.l2649

They actually look great abd its a direct plug n play swap BUT they do NOT fit like OEM! I just got a set and they won't lock into place. I tried trimming the foam gasket it comes with which is twice the thickness of OE, and it still won't stay in place! Ugh! Any ideas?

 

I just tinted mine with Night Shades .. remove them like he did ... prep with rubbing alcohol and spray tint to desired darkness. -$10.