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LED tail light build

Posted: Nov 10, 2020 2:05 AM
by Joesshitbox
Hey all, I'm new to this forum. I recently bought a 1988 528e. My tail lights are not in the best condition (cracked lens). I was going to rebuild them with some custom led strips, but I could not get inside the light assembly.

Basically, has anyone successfully unglued the lens and glued them back on without destroying them?

Thank you all,

Joe

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Nov 16, 2020 8:40 PM
by e28Sean
As far as I know, it's not possible to remove the lenses intact.

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Nov 16, 2020 9:40 PM
by Joesshitbox
Have you tried it?

Thank you

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Nov 25, 2020 9:15 PM
by e28Sean
I personally have not. However, anyone who has installed clear turn signal lenses will tell you that the only way to get the OE lenses out is with a hammer. That's why I got myself a set of already modified taillights when I did the clear turn lens mod on my e28.

It is not possible to remove the taillamp lenses from their frames intact.

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Nov 25, 2020 9:52 PM
by Joesshitbox
Damn, thats a bummer. Thanks though!

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Nov 27, 2020 5:17 PM
by Ordnator
Here's what I did a few years back:

https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/109187-e ... or-lenses/

Best regards,

Mick

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Nov 27, 2020 6:15 PM
by demetk
Why not go from the back? It's looks doable once you get rid of the metal power grid, which you don't really need if you run separate wires to each light. I did led bulbs on mine and got rid of the metal grid.

Image

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Nov 27, 2020 7:55 PM
by Joesshitbox
I'm not just trying to do LED bulbs, but LED strips. Also, the lens are cracked and leaking water bad. They literally get filled up.

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Nov 27, 2020 7:59 PM
by demetk
Then do what Ordnator did.

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Nov 27, 2020 8:20 PM
by Joesshitbox
That's just turn signals, not the whole lense.

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Dec 01, 2020 8:11 AM
by Shawn D.
I used to manufacture complete LED brake/tail/turn setups for E28s, but haven't for a long while. You're going to have to modify the housing and insert them from the back -- removing the lenses is not a good way to go about it. Then you can also get wider arrays in and place them further from the lens so it'll look better.

If your lenses are cracked and leaking, you need a whole new assembly.

Re: LED tail light build

Posted: Dec 01, 2020 10:19 AM
by Joesshitbox
What about using the original lens as a mold to make new ones out of lexan/policarbonate?