Thanks for the detailed instructions on inner tail light removal. It's a strange design that Audi came up with, but it works. One side clamps onto the metal frame, then a single screw-on white plastic peg secures the other side. Audi used good quality plastic because after 17 years, the pegs on mine look perfect with no signs of aging. There are some slight gaps around the unit which allow dust to cake up inside... but it's really hard to see unless you remove the unit. I was going to add some thin adhesive padding to seal it, but decided against it since it might interfere with a good seal. Incidentally, with the unit out, use an alcohol moistened swap to clean the insides. A coating of dust can develop over time, especially on reflective surfaces and on the back side of the lenses.
Yes, it seems like a different factory produced the inner tail light assembly versus the outer. I'm in the USA and had contemplated doing an LED conversion (my A3 is 2007, pre-facelift and LED), but went the cheaper route--bought Euro spec tails with amber lenses (we have red in the USA)--all DOT compliant. Anyway, those inner lenses tend to 'craze" over time. Tiny micro-cracks in the plastic that won't be fixed without hours of scrubbing (which then thins the plastic, making it vulnerable). I just bought used ones in great shape. For me, about $30 USD shipped. A little plastic polish and they look like new.
@@autoknight747Thanks for the helpful video. Maybe try several applications of 303 Aerospace protectant, followed by a couple coats of really good wax or ceramic coating? Would be interesting to see if that maintains it for longer. Just so annoying that Audi (well, their supplier) used a cheaper lens plastic for the inner lights...
@@autoknight747 I wonder if you had used a UV infused protectant solution, perhaps they wouldn't have faded so quickly. But then, it's also possible there might've been a substandard batch of lenses produced that look fine new, but don't age well. My 2007 A3 inner lenses never faded like that. 17 years. I did replace one due to some impact damage and up-close I could see some crazing (micro cracks in the outer layer of the plastic) but no hazing.
If they've not suffered the dreaded crazing (micro cracks in the plastic), a good wet sanding with gradually finer grit will do a great job. I replaced my left inner (it had an impact crack) with a used one in excellent shape (was pretty cheap). Then I hit them both with Meguiar's PlastX. Super glossy and smooth--look like new.
Thanks for the detailed instructions on inner tail light removal. It's a strange design that Audi came up with, but it works. One side clamps onto the metal frame, then a single screw-on white plastic peg secures the other side. Audi used good quality plastic because after 17 years, the pegs on mine look perfect with no signs of aging. There are some slight gaps around the unit which allow dust to cake up inside... but it's really hard to see unless you remove the unit. I was going to add some thin adhesive padding to seal it, but decided against it since it might interfere with a good seal. Incidentally, with the unit out, use an alcohol moistened swap to clean the insides. A coating of dust can develop over time, especially on reflective surfaces and on the back side of the lenses.
Thank you for your videos, you put them together short and easy to follow. I will now tackle the same problems on my own audi ✌
Yes, it seems like a different factory produced the inner tail light assembly versus the outer. I'm in the USA and had contemplated doing an LED conversion (my A3 is 2007, pre-facelift and LED), but went the cheaper route--bought Euro spec tails with amber lenses (we have red in the USA)--all DOT compliant. Anyway, those inner lenses tend to 'craze" over time. Tiny micro-cracks in the plastic that won't be fixed without hours of scrubbing (which then thins the plastic, making it vulnerable). I just bought used ones in great shape. For me, about $30 USD shipped. A little plastic polish and they look like new.
Thank you for the video!
mine gone same,this is great content now i know how to get my rear lamps gleaming ,thanks m8.😁
One thing I would say, they faded again quite quickly. I think I’ll be replacing them to make it look fresh and new again.
@@autoknight747Thanks for the helpful video. Maybe try several applications of 303 Aerospace protectant, followed by a couple coats of really good wax or ceramic coating? Would be interesting to see if that maintains it for longer. Just so annoying that Audi (well, their supplier) used a cheaper lens plastic for the inner lights...
@@autoknight747 ,,ive used some vaseline to buff them up,it worked,
@@autoknight747 I wonder if you had used a UV infused protectant solution, perhaps they wouldn't have faded so quickly. But then, it's also possible there might've been a substandard batch of lenses produced that look fine new, but don't age well. My 2007 A3 inner lenses never faded like that. 17 years. I did replace one due to some impact damage and up-close I could see some crazing (micro cracks in the outer layer of the plastic) but no hazing.
+1 from the facelift D3 A8 crowd. Inners always fade badly.
Nice,perfekt👍
Wet sand and clearcoat.
If they've not suffered the dreaded crazing (micro cracks in the plastic), a good wet sanding with gradually finer grit will do a great job. I replaced my left inner (it had an impact crack) with a used one in excellent shape (was pretty cheap). Then I hit them both with Meguiar's PlastX. Super glossy and smooth--look like new.
My A3 such😞