Ruined my 3rd brake light lense!!!

Can anyone help me track down a new lense for the 3rd brake light on the back of the cab? I screwed up a Nite Shade application and used some goof off to remove it and what do you know, it ate away some of the soft plastic. Does anyone know where I can pick up a new one? I've contacted two dealerships and they keep telling me I have to replace the entire light assembly which will cost over $100!! I'm just trying to replace the red lense itself. I have a 2007 TRD Sport Access Cab. If anyone is willing to sell me theres or point me in the direction of where I could order one I would be so grateful! All thoughts and suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

order a 3rd break light decal from sockmonkey....

Would a decal cover up the mess up?


3rd Brake light covers

 

www.trdparts4u.com

 

I guess I never thought about covering it up. Unfortunately I don't think it would cover it. But if I find a replacement, the decal may be a better alternative to spray tinting.

 

Didn't see anything specific for this part on trdparts4u.com . Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

I have a SockMonkey decal over my 3rd brake light. It's all black, except for the cutout that reads TRD. I love it!

I'll try and get a picture of it.

...OK...I'm back Thanks TW Live!

 

take a look here...No price listed, but it looks like you can buy just the lense...


http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...2800&callout=3&catalogid=2&displayCatalogid=0

 

Those sockmonkey decals look pretty good. I have to find a replacement lens first because even the decal wouldn't cover up this shitty mistake. Trust me, the cover is ruined.

 

I've found a couple site that have that diagram. When I request a price quote they respond and tell me the part by itself is not available. I went ahead and requested the quote on this site too to see what happens. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

I hope it works out for you... that dealer seems to be pretty good for hard to find parts...

 

have you tried sanding it down with fine sandpaper then waxing it as well as possible? I don't know how bad it is if this will do anything.

 

I disagree. The part that shows through is very small. You would have to be very close to see any problems with the clear TRD section.

Just sand the whole thing down and make it uniform.


Or why not just spray it with your nightshades and be done with it?

 

Try your local junk yard.... I mean automotive dismantling and recycling dealer.

Even if the new part is only available as a total assembly, you should be able to buy only the part you need from the junk yard.

 

Why would you want to do something that would make it harder for the guy behind you to see you stopping? Darkening tail lights (or headlights for that matter) doesn't seem like a sharp move to me.

I would think liability wise, it would make a nice target as well. ...maybe even give an insurance company an 'out'.

 

^ I agree as it relates to the tail lights but I think the 3rd brake light is optional.

Toyota should've used that as a cargo light.

 

Mine was similar to that as during my nightshades application. I just sanded it down and reapplied. It worked out fine.

 

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Yes, I realize the liability of darkening brake lights and tail lights. That's one of the things a person considers and ultimately accepts when modding his/her vehicle to achieve some sort of uniqueness. Kansas DOT laws require that there are at least 2 brake/tail lights visibile for up to at least 1,000 feet away on a moving vehicle. So I'm comfortable with my decision to add a little flavor to the back of my truck. I've heard a lot of people "wet" sanding and waxing tail lights to achieve the consistent surface and glossy sheen. Is anyone familliar with this process?

 

What grit sandpaper did you use? Did you apply a clear coat after before reapplying nite shades? Did it come out consistent?

 

I used 1000 grit wet sand paper. Sand it down, clean it with alcohol, let dry, repaint, dry and then clearn. Mine came out pretty good. It isn't as good as my tails came out, but it will due.

 

When I tinted my tails, I wet sanded starting with 400, then 600, 800, 1,000, and finished with 1,600. The finish was smooth, but not glossy.

After the sanding I used a Mothers Power Ball in my battery drill with Turtle Wax liquid polishing compound. The polishing compound made the biggest difference in the shine. Now they look like glass.

After the polishing compound I finished things off with a coat of wax.