Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2023 17:07:52 -0800
Reply-To: Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: LED backup lights update
In-Reply-To: <1236789207.2017150.1676767906415@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Yes... the taillight assembly. There are 2 parts - the black plastic bulb
holder, the colored plastic assembly with the reflector glued to it. I
can't remove the reflector to clean or improve it. It seems to me it's
glued together either by the factory or the previous owner.
thanks
On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 4:53 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
> You mean....on the taillight assembly? These just come apart....like when
> replacing bulbs. I must not be understanding the question. Helpful hint:
> do a thorough job of cleaning light bulb sockets with steel wool; next,
> apply a thin coating of Vaseline on both light bulb and socket, this will
> prevent corrosion for years to come. Works every time.
>
> On Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 04:44:08 PM PST, Dan N <
> dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> sooo I have a question... How do you separate the silver reflector from the
> colored lens?
>
> thanks
>
> On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 4:26 PM Pete Sicilia <pete@coffeepot.org> wrote:
>
> > Sounds like a great idea. I'll just have to clean off the krazy glue and
> > duck tape first 🤣
> >
> > On Sat, Feb 18, 2023, 4:09 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > For repair, you can go a long way with 2 part Epoxy Putty. Slice off
> a
> > > hunk, knead it, apply it, form it. All surfaces super clean with
> Rubbing
> > > Alcohol before you attempt of course, but you will be surprised by your
> > > cleverness and workmanship. This stuff has abundant uses around
> Vanagon.
> > > Especially old brittle plastic parts.
> > >
> > > On Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 03:59:16 PM PST, Jim Felder <
> > > jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > I don't remember where, I guess busdepot.com, but I bought brand new
> > > replacement lenses a few years back for a reasonable price. If you are
> > > trying to replace the molded plastic tray with bulb holders, that might
> > be
> > > more difficult.
> > >
> > > Jim
> > >
> > > On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 5:42 PM Pete Sicilia <pete@coffeepot.org>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Well I finally finished the aluminum tape around my led backup
> bulbs. I
> > > had
> > > > done one side a few weeks ago and did the other side today.
> > > >
> > > > Everything was easy until the very end today. As it turns out, my
> fears
> > > > about cracking old plastic were well founded.
> > > >
> > > > I meticulously cleaned and taped all around the lens housing and
> behind
> > > the
> > > > bulb and as I was giving the entire housing one last cleaning with
> > simple
> > > > green, the whole thing slipped/shot out of my hands and cracked on
> the
> > > > pavement... snapping off the retaining tabs.
> > > >
> > > > I got down on my hands and knees and fished the housing and the
> broken
> > > > parts out from under my wife's Touareg, cleaned them again and
> applied
> > > > first krazy glue, then some strategic strips of duck tape for
> > > > reinforcement. I waited a few mins, then carefully clipped the light
> > > > assembly into the housing and reinstalled everything.
> > > >
> > > > Everything is working for now... but man I sure have a way of
> snatching
> > > > defeat from the jaws of victory sometimes
> > > >
> > > > In related news, does anyone have an extra right tail light lens
> > assembly
> > > > that they'd be willing to part with?
> > > >
> > > > On Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 8:48 AM Pete Sicilia <pete@coffeepot.org>
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Do you have any particular brand of tape you recommend? Or is
> Amazon
> > > > > cheapo sufficient?
> > > > >
> > > > > 1PCS Premium Silver Aluminum Tapes (3.9Mils), 2'*65 Feet Foil Tape,
> > > Metal
> > > > > Insulation Tape, Heavy Duty Duct Tape with Adhesive Backing for Hot
> > > Cold
> > > > > Air HVAC Ductwork, Dryer Vent, Heat Resistant, Repair
> > > > > https://a.co/d/hILxB3m
> > > > >
> > > > > I've never opened up the light casing. Are there any things to look
> > out
> > > > > for? I'm a little leery of cracking old plastic.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks!
> > > > > Pete
> > > > >
> > > > > On Thu, Jan 26, 2023, 12:19 PM Jim Arnott <jrasite@eoni.com>
> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >> Someone asked for pictures so I opened up a tail light. Delete
> the
> > > pop
> > > > >> bottle. Line the backup light window with alunim air conditioning
> > > tape.
> > > > >> Install big, bright LED. Put it back together. Might take you an
> > hour
> > > > >> including the time in the hardware store buying the tape.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Ranks right up there with changing the engine to an I4 as far as
> > > > >> improvements go. BIG improvement.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Jim
> > > > >>
> > > > >> > Years ago, I bought a couple 6 LED external light to use as
> backup
> > > > >> lights. Then I read a post about fixing the existing lights. It
> was
> > > > fairly
> > > > >> simple. I used the below mentioned LEDs and then created a
> reflector
> > > > using
> > > > >> a 16 oz plastic soda bottle lined with aluminum air conditioning
> > tape
> > > > and
> > > > >> fit it into the stock tail light assy. NOW I can see backing up.
> > Took
> > > > about
> > > > >> an hour and worth every second of time invested.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Jim
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> >> On Jan 21, 2023, at 9:18 AM, Pete Sicilia <pete@COFFEEPOT.ORG>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >> >>
> > > > >> >> In related news, I just upgraded my back up lights (1156) to
> > > these...
> > > > >> >> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H54SP6O
> > > > >> >>
> > > > >> >> So far so good... although I'm always on the lookout for
> brighter
> > > > >> options.
> > > > >>
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
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