anyone bought new repro tail lights recently?

[Charles 230SL]

I'm looking for a quality set of all-red tail light assemblies (lens, reflector, bulb holder) for my 230sl and plan to get them from either Authentic Classics, Vintage Euro parts, or Buds. Anyone bought a set of tail lights recently from one of these vendors? if so, were you satisfied with the quality?

[Charles 230SL]

ok,,,I guess not.  I'm about to order lenses, reflectors, and bulb holders from Authentic Classics;  I've read members' posts from several years ago where they used clear 2-part epoxy to glue the lenses/reflectors to the bezels. Anyone recall where they got the clear 2-part epoxy from ? (I've never seen clear epoxy)...thanks, Charles

[mnahon]

Here's one example. I've used it on headlights.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/J-B-Weld-50112-Clear-25-ml-ClearWeld-Quick-Setting-Epoxy-Syringe-/142490280967?epid=1868382258&hash=item212d152407:g:DZsAAOSwl7JZpS~e

[wwheeler]

While I have never used that particular brand, I would be concerned that any transparent epoxy may yellow over time given exposure to UV. I do not have specific experience, just a hunch. I think most use an aquarium grade of clear silicone on lenses. This is not a hardware store grade but significantly tougher and stronger. I used that on mine and turned out well.

[Charles 230SL]

ok, thanks guys

[Charles 230SL]

Today I received the new all-red lenses, reflectors, and bulb holders. I can already tell it's going to be quite a task fitting and epoxying the lenses to the bezels.

For those who've already done this, did you first epoxy the reflectors to the lenses, and then epoxy the lens/reflector assembly to the bezels - or did you epoxy just the lens to the bezel, and then later epoxy the reflector to the lens/bezel? 

Also, it looks like I'll need to trim the lenses a bit to get them to fit flush/correctly to each reflector. Did anyone else need to trim the lenses to get them to fit flush on the reflectors? Thanks in advance,, Charles

[doitwright]

I would try UV glue. The adhesion will not start until you expose it to a UV light. UV glue is also used to repair star chips and cracks in windshields. UV from the sun will also activate the glue but takes a little longer. The DIY kit I have seen comes with a small UV light.

I am curious to know how your new lens compares to an original. I recently bought a bunch of parts from oldtimer-ersatzteile24 in Germany (add .de). They supply all repro parts and I suspect they are the same as what we get from many US (not MB affiliated) suppliers. My order included tail light assemblies (lens and reflectors). These were the only parts I returned. I think the left side lens was virtually an exact copy of my original (including the raised letters on the bottom of the lens) and the same was true for the reflectors. However, the opposite side was completely different (no raised letters) and I discovered the the lens did not fit both the reflector they provided and my original reflector. I asked if they could replace the defective lens and they told me they knew about the issue and if I wanted a matching set, I needed to return everything and I would get a set that would fit properly but would not have the raised letters on the lens. I decided to polish up my originals and re-silver my right side reflector.

[Charles 230SL]

That UV glue sounds like a good idea and I would have considered it - had I not already epoxied the lenses/reflectors in the bezels. I followed Tyler S's example and clamped the lenses/reflectors in place prior to epoxying. I used silicone RTV to ensure there were no leaks between the bezels and lenses.

[Charles 230SL]

Today I installed my tail light assemblies with the new lenses and reflectors. When I attempted to install the bulb holders I found they didn't fit - these are metal bulb holders which are correct for the early lenses. Something was keeping the bulb holders from fitting flush against the inside of the trunk. After wrestling with the fitment for a while I finally removed the light assemblies from the car and attempted to fit the bulb holders to the light assemblies on the workbench. I can't believe what I found - the bulb holder bracket that supports the two 4W bulbs butts against the inside of the lens and won't permit the bulbs to be inserted completely into the reflectors. The bulb holders need to fit at least a quarter of an inch further onto the lens assemblies in order to fit the plastic thumb-nuts.

The photos below show my predicament .  I know several members of this group have installed these early reproduction lenses but has anyone ever encountered this problem??

[66andBlue]

Looks to me you are missing the gasket around the rim of the electrical socket plate. That adds a few mm and then the tip of the bracket holding the 4W bulbs should not hit the lens. Take a look at the photo of the bulb holder here, it shows the gasket:
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/TailLights

[Charles 230SL]

thanks Al, I’ve got new bulb holder seals but they’re not thick enough to fill the gap between the bulb holder and the inside of the trunk.
The 4W bulb brackets simply prevent the holders from fitting correctly against the inside of the trunk. It’s as though both lenses need to be pressed further into the bezels (at least another quarter of an inch).  I've already meticulously epoxied the lenses to the bezels  - the bezels are marked 2235L and 2235R so they’re correct for a w113.

Note from the photos that there's not even enough bezel stud clearance to permit the retaining knobs to be screwed on. 

[Charles 230SL]

It’s as though both lenses need to be pressed further into the bezels (at least another quarter of an inch).

Before I attempt to bust out the lenses and re-epoxy them, can someone please let me know how they ensured the lenses were recessed far enough into the bezels to permit adequate clearance for the 4W bulb brackets?  I know several members of this group have had the sheer pleasure of installing new taillight lenses – just looking for a little advice..

[Charles 230SL]

..there's not enough bezel stud clearance to permit the retaining knobs to be screwed on..

So after reviewing numerous postings I think I may have solved part of the problem.  Per DaveB's posting dated May 12, 2013, appears the bezels on my car were originally installed on a 280SL with the later red-amber lenses.  The threaded studs on the later bezels were 40 to 50mm long whereas those on the earlier 230/250/280 bezels are 50 to 60mm.

The longer studs are needed to accomodate the thicker (metal) bulb holders. Here's DaveB's post: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=18471.msg128817#msg128817

[Charles 230SL]

just a follow up, I installed the taillight assemblies with new lenses/reflectors earlier this week.  I'm happy with the results and in my opinion the new correct lenses look much better than the previous red/amber ones.

In retrospect, if I had it to do all over again I would have just bought assembled bezel/lens/reflector assemblies from either Buds or Authentic Classics. it took a lot of patience to correctly epoxy the lenses to the bezels, and I just don't have it (patience) like I used to.