The center section on my APC Euro Tails has always looked like shit ever since I bought the car. See the pic of my car after a thorough washing/waxing:



My question for you all is, how can I avoid this happening again? I recently purchased the same piece off another 2gnt member, still in its original wrapping and mint condition.

Here are the culprits of the problem I believe. The keyhole, which allows all sorts of dirt, water, snow, etc to get into them.


And these little holes on the back of them where the plastic pieces meet. They aren't sealed off allowing moisture and such to get inside.



I figure I can seal off the holes on the back with some sort fo clear silicone sealant. But that doesn't fix the keyhole problem, and I don't know what would be the best kind of sealant to use.

Thanks for any ideas and suggestions in advance!

my suggestion? get rid of the eyesores and put the stockers back on.

they are made with the cheapest of materials..and the quality is horrendous. leaks are often commonplace. if you feel you have to continue sporting those...seal them up yourself with silicone

Nope.

Back in my ricer days when I had magenta APC euros (yes, insert your remark), I had the same problem.

I think the best way is to take a plastic cylinder that fits through where the keyhole is and somehow mate it to the centerpiece. Just a theory however, and haven't seen it done.

I dunno, for some reason these lights make me feel good when I look at the car. I always get compliments on them and yeah... I dunno but yeah I want to prevent this from happening again, i guess i could try and seal the keyhole. And the stockers are just too plain for me, I like to be different.

if you absolutely must keep those things - just replace the center on with the stock one, it will look 'better'

Originally posted by 96rs-t
if you absolutely must keep those things - just replace the center on with the stock one, it will look 'better'

Was considering that... What don't people like about these tails, I think they look pretty nice on an eclipse, and I guess if its considered ricey its my only piece of rice, lol.

i like the 2 side tails but the middle looks retarded

Originally posted by boosted60trimrst
i like the 2 side tails but the middle looks retarded

Thats an answer I can live with. I do favor the red center section with ECLIPSE written on it, or just a plain red one perhaps? I dunno, I guess I'll sport the new section until it gets dirty, then look into something more stylish. Thanks!!

If you do that, make sure you color match it to your paint.

It always looks funny with the stocker in the center and some different tails on the outside.

I think you should paint the center piece too. I did mine and I love it makes the car look so much cleaner imo because people would always ask how come the center piece doesnt light up.. im like its not suppose to and they go.. ohhh. So I painted mine red and now im waiting to put the turbo badge on

Originally posted by dsmmyth
If you do that, make sure you color match it to your paint. It always looks funny with the stocker in the center and some different tails on the outside.

Originally posted by EclipseTenzoR
I think you should paint the center piece too. I did mine and I love it makes the car look so much cleaner imo because people would always ask how come the center piece doesnt light up.. im like its not suppose to and they go.. ohhh. So I painted mine red and now im waiting to put the turbo badge on

Definitely color match the centerpiece to the color of your car; would look much nicer in my opinion.

Always Pieces of Crap

Originally posted by EclipseTenzoR
I think you should paint the center piece too. I did mine and I love it makes the car look so much cleaner imo because people would always ask how come the center piece doesnt light up.. im like its not suppose to and they go.. ohhh. So I painted mine red and now im waiting to put the turbo badge on

Do you have a picture of your tails? Just so I can kind of see a reference pic on another red car and decide what I'm going to do. Thanks!

Maybe a little late but still good info.

Your aftermarket lights are not sealed up, just like the stock center section is not either. The red lens on the factory center section is back painted in silver so you'll never see all the water and dirt that gets behind it.

If you decide to keep the aftermarket unit. You'll need to seal the entire perimiter and also use a small ring of foam to seal around the keyhole. You should leave a small breather hole or two (1/8")on the bottom corners since water vapor will still find its way inside occasionally.

Originally posted by 96eclipse2nr
my suggestion? get rid of the eyesores and put the stockers back on. they are made with the cheapest of materials..and the quality is horrendous. leaks are often commonplace. if you feel you have to continue sporting those...seal them up yourself with silicone

i couldnt agree with you more.

tinted tails > stock tails > altezzas

Wipe the old center section down really good with alcohol, then hit it with four or five coats of gloss black spray paint. Once that's dry, bolt it up and see what you think. Those fakey center lights are gay. End of story.

Originally posted by DR1665
Wipe the old center section down really good with alcohol, then hit it with four or five coats of gloss black spray paint. Once that's dry, bolt it up and see what you think. Those fakey center lights are gay. End of story.

Black? Why not red? lol.

Originally posted by saikou

Originally posted by DR1665 Wipe the old center section down really good with alcohol, then hit it with four or five coats of gloss black spray paint. Once that's dry, bolt it up and see what you think. Those fakey center lights are gay. End of story.

Black? Why not red? lol.

Well I have two copies of this piece so technically I can try both colors.. But yeah pics of some examples on a red dsm would help.

Hot linking yo shit xmasta! lol.

With the black centerpiece and stock tailights.

Either of those are waaaay better than keeping it APC style.

I would rather have smashed tail-lights than those euro lights :P

But no really. I'm thinking of painting mine black also to go with the black car but I think it looks awesome in red too. I'd goto the paint shop and say, this is my car, I want this that color.

Prolly like $30-75 bucks. I have no clue, but it'll look real good after :)

EDIT: and yea, leave the kid alone.

He's still in that "phase" ya know. :wavy

Originally posted by Blizare
Either of those are waaaay better than keeping it APC style. I would rather have smashed tail-lights than those euro lights :P But no really. I'm thinking of painting mine black also to go with the black car but I think it looks awesome in red too. I'd goto the paint shop and say, this is my car, I want this that color. Prolly like $30-75 bucks. I have no clue, but it'll look real good after :) EDIT: and yea, leave the kid alone. He's still in that "phase" ya know. :wavy

lol :( Its not a phase, unless you call being broke a phase. But Yeah I can tell how much of a difference it makes compared to what I have now, but I just never thought they looked THAT bad :shrug. The red looks nice, I think I might try that first. At least until I can get one that says 'eclipse' on it because I love that best of all.

I know I can take it to a paintshop, but if I wanted to do it myself what would be the best type of paint to use?

p.s. points for the pics, THANKS!

Just rattle can spray the bitch.
Some NAPA parts places will put together a paint code for you in a spray can. Just bring them the color code for your car and they'll put it in a can.

I'd recommend a layer of primer first, so the paint is garaunteed to stick better. Spray from one side of the piece to the other with thin coats. Don't forget to put a clear coat on after it. Then put some adhesive on the back of the ECLIPSE letters and put them back.