Refreshing Tail light Trim and Seals

[elrichmeister]

I bought some used Original Amber LED Tail lights on Ebay, but the black coverings are missing the seals and one of them is missing the foam. Luckily they're fully operational and the lenses are in decent shape.
You can still order the black coverings and foam seals, so im trying to replace those.

Black Covering

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-covering-left-63216933017

Tail light Foam Seal

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-tail-light-lens-seal-e46-63218383898

First Question how do i remove the black covering on these, i have installed them on new tail lights in the past and i think they just slide in. It almost seems impossible to remove with out breaking something.
I dont mind destroying the black covers, but if there is a proper way please let me know.

Second question, what is best glue to attach the new foam seals? They come without any adhesives.

[Rokoz]

I used plastic trim tools to release the clips on the black trim pieces. They do require some encouragement to get off.

As for the foam, I did not glue them. The originals didn’t appear to be glued. My assumption was the clamping of the studs/bolts through the body was enough.

[~CSL~]

I am in the same boat as you - hopefully this weekend I'll be doing a complete refresh of these lights ( all lights actually) for the same reason. I have my parts, the two I have, but I not sure about are the

following:




8 - "protective adhesive film" and 10 - "rubber buffer"

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BL93-USA-03-2006-E46-BMW-M3&diagId=63_0555

I ordered both and am hoping when I pull this apart it will become apparent what they are and where they go.

Cheers,

[skylinekin]

The original black trim pieces are likely to crack, but the advice given is correct on how to remove. I ended up buying new trim pieces, they are not very expensive.

Don’t clip in the new trim pieces until you have the tail lights installed on the car as the light wont slide into the mounting holes smoothly with trim in place.

the foam seal doesn’t need any glue, just make sure to tighten down the mounting nuts evenly and do not over torque them.

#8 are small clear PPF pieces that goes under the tail light, there are raised pieces that rest on the body and rub thru the paint over time. I don’t recall seeing #10, so no help there.

[Avedis]

I recently did most of what you are doing in my build thread. There are details and explanations for a lot of it in here:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/member-build-journals/217513-immaculate-low-mileage-2004-silver-grey-csl-inspired-build?p=324100#post324100

Plastic trim: These are really on there and require a decent amount of force to get off. Option 1 is to just grab the top of it and peel it away, popping the teeth off of the mounts. Option 2 is to get in there with a tool and pry the teeth off of the mounts. They do appear to slide off, but I couldn't get mine to budge that way. You wont break the taillight.


#8 and #10 are there to protect the car's paint against from the taillight. Placement can be found in my build thread

[~CSL~]

I recently did most of what you are doing in my build thread. There are details and explanations for a lot of it in here:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/member-build-journals/217513-immaculate-low-mileage-2004-silver-grey-csl-inspired-build?p=324100#post324100

Plastic trim: These are really on there and require a decent amount of force to get off. Option 1 is to just grab the top of it and peel it away, popping the teeth off of the mounts. Option 2 is to get in there with a tool and pry the teeth off of the mounts. They do appear to slide off, but I couldn't get mine to budge that way. You wont break the taillight.


#8 and #10 are there to protect the car's paint against from the taillight. Placement can be found in my build thread

Thanks, appreciate the help from both you and skylinekin.



This explains everything perfectly.

[elrichmeister]

Thanks Avedis and skylinekin for the details.

[PSUEng]

When I replaced my lamps, everything said in this thread wrt removal of black trims and the foam is accurate. I agree. I might add that one of the new black trim pieces I installed needed some heat on the rubber seal to flatten it out; over time it took a set to the body profile, however.

[elrichmeister]

So I have another tai light set that I had in storage that are in rough shape. I think these have original foam seals, these are definitely glued on, but probably not necessary.
I also tested option 1 from advise above; pull off from top with some force and can confirm that this method works.

[0-60motorsports]

So I have another tai light set that I had in storage that are in rough shape. I think these have original foam seals, these are definitely glued on, but probably not necessary.
I also tested option 1 from advise above; pull off from top with some force and can confirm that this method works.

They are NOT glued on unless someone did that........they have melted into the light due to age......LOL

[elrichmeister]

They are NOT glued on unless someone did that........they have melted into the light due to age......LOL

I do see some remnants of a possible adhesive, it totally could've of been done by previous owner, but I do have another set of tail lights that seem to be in the same condition.






here is a little video with foam still attached to another tail light

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hwvab7ORooo

[0-60motorsports]

I do seem some remnants of a possible adhesive, it totally could've of been done by previous owner, but I do have another set of tail lights that seem to in the same condition.






here is a little video with foam still attached to another tail light

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hwvab7ORooo

Yes exactly the same for me, basically that is the chemicals coming out of the foam after degradation making it seem that way. They are not glued on. Same thing on multiple cars i have seen.