How to Build Your Own LED Tail Lights
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2-4 hours
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Beginner
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- 10-25
LED tail lights are a great way for you to be able to save some money. You will find that these types of tail lights are very durable and sturdy and will also last for longer than your vehicle. Having LED tail lights installed onto your vehicle is also something that is going to help the resale value of your vehicle. You can go out and purchase already made LED tail lights but this can be expensive and unnecessary. If you simply know the right steps and have the proper tools, then you will find that making your own LED tail lights is a great way for you to save a lot of money.
Step 1 – Remove and Heat
The first thing that you are going to have to do is remove your old tail lights. You will find that this is something that is not very difficult to do. Once you have removed your tail lights, place them in the oven. Do not place them directly on the rack as they will melt. They will need to set in the oven for about 5 minutes at 200 degrees. You just want them in there long enough so that they are soft.
Step 2 – Pry Apart
Once you have given your tail lights time to heat up to the point where they are soft, turn your oven off and get out a butter knife. With your butter knife, pry open the tail lights. You will pry only where the connecting tabs are. Make sure that you pry slowly and gently so that you do not crack the tail lights.
Step 3 – Fit
After the tail lights have been pried apart, get your LED board test fitted into your housing. Once you have done this, get the wires of your housing pulled through the hole. Make sure that all of the wires are pulled through. Missing any could result in your tail lights not working properly.
Step 4 – Wrap Wires
Once you have successfully pulled the wires through the hole, make sure that you wrap them around your screw. This will be the screw that is on the backside of your taillight. This is very important as it will be what will make sure that your LED board will stay in place whenever you are applying the insulating foam sealant.
Step 5 – Spray Sealant
Make sure that whenever you are spraying the sealant that you do not spray too much of it because then it will end up coming up on the other side. Use your old credit card to get rid of the extra foam that is left over. Give it about 4 hours to cure and then put your tail lights back into the oven at 200 degrees again so that they can be put back together.
