ps4601

So I bought a 1999 Lexus GS 400 a few months ago and I keep thinking about the tail lights and what's up with them. They obviously aren't stock, and if you look closely you can tell that there is a red film or some red layer over them. Can someone help me figure out what it is? And can I remove it? I really don't like the look it gives the lights.

brainsurge

looks definetly like a film. take a heat gun and some wd40 and pull it off.

ps4601

I thought about doing this but isn't there the possibility that the light underneath isn't red, which could get me into legal trouble?

BocaVdub

Im pretty sure they are just stock tails with red film over it. If by some reason they are all clear you could just buy red film and re-do them or pick up some stock tail light from a junk yard

mveale

iTrader: (5)

You have red lights on the trunk, so in terms of legality, I think you're fine, although I'm not an attorney.

It looks like the PO used a solid-color vinyl instead of a transparent vinyl like he should have. Peel it. If it's not red underneath, buy some red transparent vinyl and redo it.

Either way, they look absolutely hideous as-is, so if you peel the vinyl and don't like what's underneath, order some new ones.

Category5

lol there is zero chance of them being clear underneath that vinyl, remove it, ASAP lol

nelson09

iTrader: (3)

There's no way those are stock tails under whatever that material is...look at how large the clear area is that the p/o left uncovered. If they were stock 01+ tails there'd be an amber trim surrounding that clear area. I'd remove that stuff asap, if they end up being clear or whatever, id recommend a paint designed for tail lights made by a company called VANS. Looks like faded 98-00 inners, might as well shoot the those too. Good luck!

mveale

iTrader: (5)

While I agree with the ASAP removal, I'd say there's a REALLY good chance that they're clear under there. These appear to be to the same shape as what's under the vinyl:



And that vinyl is so atrocious that the only reason I can see somebody ever applying it is because they got a warning or ticket from the police...

This story makes sense to me:

Dude buys "super sik JDM-tyte yo" clear tail lights and puts them on the car. Sells his stock tail lights to pay for "super sik VIP-Bippu brah" stickers and/or a fake JP Fusa knot. Shortly after he gets a "fix it or pay the fine" ticket and instead of spending more money to get some red ones, he heads to local vinyl sign shop, asks for a couple scraps of any red they've got, and ends up with the abomination you see above you.

Debonair

I agree with Mveale. They look clear under there to me as well. The outlines appear to be too bright to me to be the standard OE red tailights.

marshun

bet money that they are clear underneath.

great excuse to buy new ones

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

Definitely not a film, film is much more translucent and closer to the color of standard DOT approved. Looks like this moron took paint to them as I first suspected. If you look closer, you can see the paint chipped off:

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

^ Bingo, Mr. Jokster's got it. Best plan of action is to chuck those eyesores in the garbage and pick up a set of '01+ outers from the classifieds.

Lutkis

Somehow the outer tails have always reminded me of Impreza tails and these do even more.
They're ugly as is and even uglier if they turn out to be "Lexus" style clear tails.

Get new ones asap!

Leeswang

almost looks orange, maybe try using brake cleaner to get the paint off. it might damage the plastic but id say try a small spot see how it goes.

msarahalex

iTrader: (5)

Try some goof off, the spray can type.