Ladies and Gentleman, here are pictures of my install of Slammed's GT tail light repair covers. I also installed my "Embrace Racing LED kit" at the same time, so that will explain the different style lighting. They obviously do not affect the instructions, but keep it in mind when you are looking at my pictures.
Basic instructions:
Remove tail lights
Disassemble tail lights (be careful not to break tabs)
Use dremel tool with small metal saw blade attachment to cut out clear sections of lenses WEAR SAFETY GLASSES and be ready for a big mess of plastic to get everywhere
WHEN CUTTING OUT "PONTIAC", CUT ABOUT A QUARTER INCH LOWER THAN LETTERS OR YOU WILL SEE THE CUT IN THE OLD LENS THROUGH NEW LENS!!!
Use dremel tool and sanding attachment to make the edges pretty if you want to make it look like you actually put some care into your work
Clean lenses and housings really well so that silicone will stick to them; let them completely dry
(Optional) Spray paint the reflective surfaces in the tail light housings with "chrome paint"
Silicone surface of the modified tail light assembly; pay close attention to the edges, especially the bottom and by the letters. Too much and you will be able to see the silicone through the lens in the final product
Place Slammed's lens on top of the modified lens. Play around with where it seats so it sits right. Don't worry if you get silicone on the lenses, wipe it up so it's not a big glob of silicone... After it dries, you can remove it with some good old fashioned elbow grease
Place a bead of silicone around the perimeter of the new/old lens to seal water out. Pretend it's like you are grouting in bathroom tile, press it in with your finger. Make it look good and neat, you can clearly see how nice it looks when you open the decklid at the top most edge (I did a terrible job of this)
Let the lens dry for 24 hours
Now that lens is dry, you can remove the excess silicone now. Use a few fresh towels or old T shirts
Trim lens if needed
Re assemble lens assembly
That's it guys. I know it's not that in depth, but that's the nitty gritty of it.
A NOTE: If your black paint under the lens chips, as per Slammed's recommendation, you can TOUCH IT UP with BLACK LACQUER. BLACK LACQUER PAINT. Only touch up the part that chipped; DON'T RE-PAINT WHOLE LENS! Use a Qtip. Cover chip with a few coats until light doesn't come through.
------------------ "Discord" Red 1988 GT under restoration!
(This is with flash on, the letters look dark because of terrible lighting) (SLOPPY SILICONE I NEED TO CLEAN UP ONE DAY) (The white spots are my sneakers)
------------------ "Discord" Red 1988 GT under restoration!
Let's Go Mets!
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
[This message has been edited by Shho13 (edited 04-28-2016).]
I am beyond impressed with these lenses. The lenses themselves are extremely durable; they resist scratches really well, and seem to be able to take the abuse of every day just by the feel and how the install went.. on that note; the installation, while it took awhile, the end result is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I would recommend these to anyone!!! The fit and finish is perfect. If you are a little sloppy with the silicone you can clean up after yourself no problem. (I need to clean up mine, as you can see!)
Slammed, us GT guys are in debt to you for putting out this product that we have been DYING for... It's been years since tail lights were on the market, and this kit is a GODSEND!
Hope you guys enjoyed the pictures!
------------------ "Discord" Red 1988 GT under restoration!
Nice post and thanks for sharing.the install pictures and video. The lens covers look great. Hope that you can make it to Carlisle on June 18th. I am certain that many people would love to see the finished tail lights in person. Should be many many Fieros and 100's of GM cars there. As for the status of the lens covers; last info that was posted indicated that they have been put on indefinite hold.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Nice post and thanks for sharing.the install pictures and video. The lens covers look great. Hope that you can make it to Carlisle on June 18th. I am certain that many people would love to see the finished tail lights in person. Should be many many Fieros and 100's of GM cars there. As for the status of the lens covers; last info that was posted indicated that they have been put on indefinite hold.
Oh I'll definitely be at Carlisle, only thing that will keep me away is if I'm dead haha!
Thank you guys, the lenses look amazing in person! You will for sure be able to see them in person at Carlisle.
------------------ "Discord" Red 1988 GT under restoration!
Those do look nice! It certainly is a viable option for people with crappy GT tail lights. Sure delamination can be painted and polished by methods posted here on the forum. For those with cracks and holes in them, these covers are a great way to restore them to almost new, and stock looking condition.
Thank you for all of the pics, video and commentary! The lens covers look amazing! Great job, Slammed. I have been following all along and happy to see this come to fruition despite all of the struggle and turmoil. I hope everything gets worked out soon so you can resume your production and foray into the other parts you were interested in producing.
A question... When Slammed installed the covers, it looks like the tail lights were left assembled, and the old lenses cut out. Did you see complete disassembly as being necessary? Or did you just disassemble yours in order to recondition the reflectors?
I disassembled my lenses completely to install the LED kit... I sprayed the reflectors for the PONTIAC and the reverse lights, as the LED kit does not include them. Big difference in the light output just by spraying it with the rattle can "chrome effect" paint.
At the very least, you should remove the lenses from the tail light assembly, they make a big mess of plastic bits when you start cutting into them!
------------------ "Discord" Red 1988 GT under restoration!
