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2021 Refresh Tail Lamp and Charge Port Retrofit Project
- Thread starter Nintendo80
- Start date
Daytonaviolet
Member
well, so far only two people in this thread has done the retrofit (swapping internals no metal cutting) so far. perhaps they could post some DIY
pics ? i'm still waiting for parts, so i cant start yet.
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Celledral
Member
I ordered the outer lights. Waiting on the trunk lamps to be available.
Daytonaviolet
Member
Celledral
Member
Ebay had it available and they're located around 15 mins away. So I guess that's a win. $300 + tax
Daytonaviolet
Member
Some goodies arrived today. what’s the best way to open these up ? Baking ? Heat gun ? If so what temp and how long ?
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leecox
Member
For the new ones you'll want a Hot Knife or Dremel. They are plastic welded. Be very careful around the seam on the bottom and inside edge (trunk side). There isn't a lot of space for mistakes...
The old ones you'll want a heat gun and a screwdriver. Heat up the seam till it's warm to the touch but not burning and then tap the butt end of the screw driver on the black plastic frame to break the seal.
The old ones you'll want a heat gun and a screwdriver. Heat up the seam till it's warm to the touch but not burning and then tap the butt end of the screw driver on the black plastic frame to break the seal.
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Daytonaviolet
Member
just to be clear, which one is new ones and old ones ? new ones are the refresh inner lights right ? so it's okay to hack up the outer shell as we only care about the insides. the old ones are the ones which we care about the outer shell. the outsides of these need to stay in good condition.
so no oven ? heat gun may take some time
From my experience using an oven is effective. I usually set it super low and work my way up in temperatures. Generally you want to use the lowest temperature but longest baking time that way the heat can fully penetrate the sealants. One thing I would recommend is to avoid prying too much, it may deform the housing making for resealing difficult.
Daytonaviolet
Member
yea i was thinking same thing. perhaps 220 fahrenheit @ 10min ? from what i saw on youtube some glues may have a higher melting point then the plastic. also some may even be plastic welded. not sure what method tesla used ?
That sounds about right, generally tail lights aren’t as tightly sealed as headlights are so you may not need that long. Just keep an eye on the plastics to make sure nothing starts melting, they can take a decent bit of heat before going bad
leecox
Member
New ones are the refresh taillights. Old ones are pre-refresh.
Oven works fine too... some people set that stuff at 400 though and melt parts. You need to know what you're doing. I also don't recommend prying the lense will pop loose with enough heat/force applied. It's a delicate process.
Oven works fine too... some people set that stuff at 400 though and melt parts. You need to know what you're doing. I also don't recommend prying the lense will pop loose with enough heat/force applied. It's a delicate process.
I was under the impression to dismantle the lights were just nuts and bolts cuz someone posted a youtube video of just that. Man melting glue seal is way more involved task.
leecox
Member
The elements inside the lights have screws in the back, but first you have to get the lenses off to take them out. Easy in the pre-refresh lights. Hard in the refresh lights.
Daytonaviolet
Member
Yes that was me. Upon further review, baking or heat gun is required to open up the old style housing.
Daytonaviolet
Member
So are your pre-refresh lights open ? I’m still waiting for the other side but may attempt th is weekend
leecox
Member
Daytonaviolet
Member
leecox
Member
I used the method described above with a heat gun and screw driver. My wife isn’t a fan of car or computer parts in the oven. Use what works for you.
It took me a while during it my way. The lense was a scrap yard part and was damaged when I bought it, but I knew that.
Daytonaviolet
Member
I will open the refresh light first to get some experience. Then what I learn from that I’ll apply to the pre-refresh light. Cracking or breaking the tips is main concern.
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