Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2023 01:18:46 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: LED backup lights update
In-Reply-To: <CAFdLW6kBEt=71DFv18kpZTvBf=4xNmW6yoFX4P8XrWPzWxoo+g@mail.gmail.com>
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Ahhh, previous owner....now that makes sense....well intentioned of course! But lens is on the outside, the reflector and bulbs are on the inside. Heck....I haven't disassembled mine in 3 years or more, so kind of foggy on the details, others will chime in. If original, a no-brainer. So there is something funny going on in your situation.
On Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 05:08:09 PM PST, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
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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