Wanted - easy install tool or technique for directional/stop light lenses

[steveg]

Spent a couple hours installing one lens - there's gotta be a better way!

 

[roscoe]

Isopropyl alcohol used liberally acts as a good lubricant between rubber and metal or glass. Evaporates and leaves no residue, will not harm most paints. A very thin and skinny stainless steel spatula of the sort used by chemists when weighing out amall quantites of powered chemicals is good to use for slipping under the edge of the rubber and working it around the part. A small scribe may work well too but you need to be careful to not cut the rubber.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

... A small scribe may work well too but you need to be careful to not cut the rubber.

The small, wooden coffee stirrers found in at condiments counters in airports, Starbucks, etc. work well. I seem to need a couple dozen every time I get a cup of coffee.

 

[Randy Forbes]

How old are the rubber boots? I replaced mine when the car was painted (10-12 yrs ago?) and they're still very supple. Supple enough to not think twice about removing all four (4) beehive lenses/chrome trims for its annual waxing and detailing (if it wasn't for the All Brit Show up near Tampa, no telling how long I'd put it off...).

Replacement boots are pretty cheap, if your bulb-holders and all else are still good, and I can get my lenses & rings in with my thumb or fingernail.

 

[DerekJ]

Washing up liquid!

We used it to install the rear window of my hardtop.

 

[steveg]

Thanks for the input everyone. Next time will use the Starbucks stick and soapy water.

Mine are supple and >15 years old. I wasted most of the time trying to get both lens and ring on at once - before realizing the lens had to be installed first, then the ring.

 

[Keoke]

OH!
N Steve Silicone works a treat TOO!--:glee:

 

[CaptRandy]

Also piece of string inside the groove and pull out slowly around outside of lens as you push in.

 

[bob hughes]

My rubbers are still reasonably flexible and I just use a small screw driver to run around and ease the rubber over the ring.



Bob

 

[Michael Oritt]

I try not to use metal tools in doing this operation--a wooden or plastic cuticle pusher works well. The problem with metal is that when ievitably you have a slip you wind up with a paint scratch. Relatively new, flexible rubber boots are much easier to work with than old, stiff units.