Opening 2012 Tail-lights to paint, anyone do it?

[BORDIN]

Hey guys,
Just curious if any out there has opened up their tail lights on a 2012 Mazda 3 4dr?

The lenses are clear, so Im curious if anyone has painted the interior reflectors and red background?

I have opened my trucks headlights & tail lights before. Just curious how the tails on this thing come apart?

Thanks,
Justin

[bestknightmare]

I want to do my tail lights on my 3, but one thing at a time, and hopefully my gf wont notice. Wrap-ID posted a picture before, I think they did a pretty good job, I might go to them in the future :)

[Aitch]

The tail lights on both generations are not the kind you can open up (like the headlights). The front and rear plastics of the tails are fused together, not glued. You WILL irreparably crack your tailights if you try to pry them apart.

The only way to do it (untested) would be using a Dremel cut-off wheel to carefully cut them apart, then seal them back together with silicone. However there is no guarantee that this will work or that it will still look OEM.

[Kiewan]

Maybe worth tinting instead.

[gabbygenier]

there are some guys that did it. but like Aitch mentionned, they need to be cut open. i would suggest maybe getting a second set of tails just in case.

some of the pics are gone but this guy did it and looks like he fiberglassed them back together. you can see where he cut them though
http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2010-2013-mazda-3-skyactiv-how-guides/12424-diy-paint-inside-your-taillights.html

as for what bestknightmare posted. thats just vinyl onvertop the outside of the tail lights. many have done it with both gens.

[BORDIN]

there are some guys that did it. but like Aitch mentionned, they need to be cut open. i would suggest maybe getting a second set of tails just in case.

some of the pics are gone but this guy did it and looks like he fiberglassed them back together. you can see where he cut them though
http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2010-2013-mazda-3-skyactiv-how-guides/12424-diy-paint-inside-your-taillights.html

as for what bestknightmare posted. thats just vinyl onvertop the outside of the tail lights. many have done it with both gens.

I like tint, but the painted headlights always look so much cleaner.
I got a spare vehicle here so the car can sit for awhile. It won't bother me.

Got the tails out, just trying to make a plan of attack. I am not adding anthing fancy. Just a plain jane paintjob and thats it.

[Booter22]

I like tint, but the painted headlights always look so much cleaner.
I got a spare vehicle here so the car can sit for awhile. It won't bother me.

Got the tails out, just trying to make a plan of attack. I am not adding anthing fancy. Just a plain jane paintjob and thats it.

i would find out the cost of replacements before you start cutting.. in case a 200 per lens + cost is something you didnt expect. mind you.. if you just want nicer look likes. you can buy my LEDs from the GT :P

[Hyperion]

I've been considering it for a while for LED tails. But this is my kind of work. Don't know if you're up to the challenge.

[Jackal]

I've been considering it for a while for LED tails. But this is my kind of work. Don't know if you're up to the challenge.

Did someone say LED tails. Worked hard on these. Haha!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/13/eza3y8yt.jpg

[Dynames]

Did someone say LED tails. Worked hard on these. Haha!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/13/eza3y8yt.jpg

Wow those look awesome

[Booter22]

Did someone say LED tails. Worked hard on these. Haha!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/13/eza3y8yt.jpg
You mean you worked hard for them.. look like stock gts to me. What did you do to them?

[Hyperion]

Wow those look awesome


You mean you worked hard for them.. look like stock gts to me. What did you do to them?

That's the joke.... they're stock.

[BORDIN]

Don't know if I'm up for the challenge... Retrofitted my trucks headlights, dual projectors, color matched, & background LED lighting.
Cut open my fogs (plastic welded not glued), retrofited 3" square cubes in them. Had to extend the back plastic. Opened up my trucks tails, installed LED Halos/LED Accents & all LED bulbs. I think I can handle it.
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/10001572_10153878270775599_1615825066_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1619231_10153857287330599_2049936105_n.jpg

Opened, Red reflector painted black & installed (masked out & left one part visible. Got my Chrome housings in the booth now drying. Will be installing them tomorrow. This stuff ain't rocket since with a little bit of common sense & patience. I'm not going crazy with LEDs in these lights, just simple black-out job and LED bulbs all around.
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1977349_10153921905455599_1423225404_n.jpg

[Booter22]

That's the joke.... they're stock.

wasnt very funny... not even a little funny.

[Hyperion]

wasnt very funny... not even a little funny.

Unlike yo face!

Waittt

[Aitch]

Bordin, looks good so far. Had no idea you'd done this stuff before. Most people asking such questions are complete noobs and better off not getting in over their heads.

[Hyperion]

It's all fun and games until you get condensation :)
Let me know how you plan on sealing it. I might do it too.

[peterm15]

I have butyl tubes if you guys are interested.

[Hyperion]

I have butyl tubes if you guys are interested.

Doesn't work for this specific project.

[BORDIN]

I just like to poke around to see what people are like and how they voice their opinion to someone new. Find out who's who that way.
Nothing I have is stock and I do all the work myself. Every vehicle I have had I've been a member on the forums, these are meant to share your rides and help each other out.
We are all in the same boat.

Well Tails are done, like I said SIMPLE BLACK OUT job. Left part of the red reflector visible for the brake light. Dark right now so hard to get any day light pictures.
Cops still might be a touch cranky about it, but nothing new. Now to let these seal over night/install/ rip off my reverse lights and start cutting.
Stock
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/1176355_10153924743655599_1881341248_n.jpg
Blacked Out (Painted)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/1653630_10153924739460599_1985324801_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/1653630_10153924739465599_1908323028_n.jpg

[BORDIN]

It's all fun and games until you get condensation :)
Let me know how you plan on sealing it. I might do it too.
My stock lights on these things have condensation, so wouldn't be any different ha

[Hyperion]

I just like to poke around to see what people are like and how they voice their opinion to someone new. Find out who's who that way.


You're not going to like me and a few other members lol

[BORDIN]

You're not going to like me and a few other members lol

No worries, used to guys like that on other forums trying to run the show. No surprise on this one:chuckle

[Aitch]

I'm interested to see photos of how you spilt and sealed the lights.