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

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2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4x

2007 Kawasaki Ninja 650R

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS-NX 75 shot, AEM CAI, P&P t/b and intake mani-SOLD

1964 Buick Electra 225-all original, all power options, 325hp, 445ft/lbs tq

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.

1998 Eclipse GS

GS-T Axleback|CAI|OBX 4-1 Header|AF/X UDP|

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'

SoCal DSM
1996 RS-T: Under Construction
1999 GS AE: New daily driver
"USING NO WAY AS A WAY, HAVING NO LIMITATION AS A LIMITATION"--BRUCE LEE

i like the 2 side tails but the middle looks retarded

LED tails : Done for now!
99 eclipse rst
cobalt blue met. paint,star stage 2 upgraded t3/t460trim turbo ceramic coated , polished compressor housing, ,optima yellow top, chrome i/c piping ,front mount ntercooler ,apexi turbo timer . zeitronix wb02 ,faze oil ,boost gauge,egt ,bosch 4x plugs,kyb agx struts, pro kit springs.17''adr venomous rims,Falken azenis ,brembo dilled/slotted rotors ,turbo xs bov ,oil catch can,manual shiftknob,autometer pyrometer egt , vortech sfmu,b&m fuel pressure gauge ,accel 310cc injectors ,gasketmatched and polished intake manifold ,58mm throttle body ,no egr,polished turbonetics wastegate,fuel pump rewire,homade fcd and a lot more .LED reverse lights ,sidemarkers and tails .atx to mtx swap . South bend tz clutch . Tons more
http://imageshack.us>


http://www.2gnt.com/index.php?d=boosted60trimrst
My contribution to the wiki
http://www.2gnt.com/index.php?d=crank%20arm%20spindle%20mod%20to%20fit%20power%20panels

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.

1998 Eclipse GS

GS-T Axleback|CAI|OBX 4-1 Header|AF/X UDP|

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

98' Eclipse GS- Hahn Stage 2- SOLD
02' Honda S2000- SOLD
04' Acura TL- Current Whip

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.

www.gregsorrells.com

http://ubanimator.com>

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.

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

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.

I eat emo kids for breakfast

1995 Eagle Talon (SOLD)
72' SuperBeetle
72' Standard Beetle
56' Deluxe Beetle

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.