3rd brake light removal problems

[KCPSG]

I am having problems removing the 3rd brake light from my 88' carrera.
1st the brake light was not woking when I got the car,not thinking it would be a big deal. I found out that it is missing a wire needed to function, and the rear glass has been out and evidently the wire never run/hooked back up. But after driving this for a long distance to bring the car back home, and realizing that the placement of the 3rd light is directly in my view. I have decided to go w/an LED type 3rd brake light that I have read about on here. My question that I cannot seem to find an answer to is; how do you get the bracket and the ( I guess) black tape holding the light bracket off of the window. Or do I need to get a whole new rear window (3rd brake light omitted)

Thanks

Phil

[Wavey]

There is some kind of thin black material applied directly to the glass, then the bracket is installed over that, with double-sided tape. Why they didn't just use black tape is beyond me. The black stuff on the glass is extremely tough, some kind of epoxy or something. It definitely won't just peel off. I was going to scrape mine off but some of the wires for the rear defroster run underneath it. Next attempt was going to be to try to neatly scrape between the wires, using a piece of thin metal to protect them, but it's in such a bad position you'd almost have to pull the glass to get to it.

[ZOA NOM]

Removed my third brake light and replaced it with a 20-LED Autozone special mounted directly between the speakers on the rear deck. Looks great from outside. It swivels to set the right angle.

The black material on the window that seems baked on, never came off. I left it, and it doesn't bother my rear vision anymore.

[KCPSG]

so you guys both removed the brake light bracket? how w/ a razor blade.

I think I will not mess w/the black material but I want the bracket out of the way. I want to get windows tinted.

here is what I have left after removing the light

and from the outside

[Wavey]

Right - the 3-dimensional black plastic bracket will come off, and the thin black material will stay on the window. I used a thin plastic paint scraper to work around the bracket and pry it off. Just be careful when you're near the defroster wires so you don't damage them. There may be some adhesive left on the window side but it will rub/roll off, might have to use a little solvent. The black shape will still look the same from the outside.

[KCPSG]

Thanks WAVEY I will try that in the morning, I just wanted to make sure what you and others had done before I try and end up damaging something.

Thanks I appreciate it


Phil

[Wavey]

My pleasure! You have inspired me to take another crack at removing the black stuff. I think I'll try some heat first, then maybe some solvents. If the window was out of the car, it would be pretty easy to lay it flat, protect the defroster wires and scrape it off. But the rear window is a b!tch to R&R.

[KCPSG]

let me know if you have any luck removing the "black stuff". So that I may get the inspiration to tackle that myself. right now I am afraid of damaging the defroster.

[scottb]

I am contemplating the same project. Someone suggested heat to me as a means of getting the black stuff off. Acetone might work, too.

Let us know if you have any luck.

[RickM]

Originally posted by Wavey
Why they didn't just use black tape is beyond me.

I fitted a third brake light to my glass and I think I know why they didn't use double sided black tape. When applied the tape almost always has bubbles and imperfections on the side of the glass that shows. You can't rub the bubbles out as it will tear the foam. Ironically, I wish I knew how to get the clean look of the epoxy you're trying to remove.