Parking Lamp Lens Removal - 1969 Front

[COPOZ/28]

The plastic lens on each front park/turn lamp on my '69 have become stuck in place and are resisting removal.  In my 46 years of owning the car, neither lens has been removed.  I'd like to inspect the bulb and socket in each but I have not been able to remove the lens from either lamp assembly.  The three screws back out just fine but the lens/gasket/housing are all apparently stuck to each other.  I'm hesitant to apply any more force with a flat screwdriver than I have already tried, in fear of cracking the lens.  Has anyone had success in applying WD-40 or some other fluid around the perimeter of the lens, or found another method to help to "unstick" the lens, without staining or damaging the lens or housing?


Thanks for help on this "sticky" situation.

[169INDY]

The Lens's are held with a Factory Dense Foam w/ wax impregnation gasket, that is how it has kept water out for 46 years.
Take a Hair Dryer and gently "HEAT" the back side of the housing to soften the adhesive like "Grip" of the gasket to steel housing.
I like to press with hands and fingers around the flanged perimeter of the lens in a rocking like motion to slowly separate the plastic from the steel housing.

The gasket can & should be re-used esp if a car is used in foul weather, the gasket can be cleaned up a bit by scraping off the road dirt, but there is no way to really clean it up like new. I have found the aftermarket Foam gaskets to be inferior to the GM factory item, but the old ones will look scuzzy.

[COPOZ/28]

Thanks, Jim -- great info.  I'll give your method a try.

[169INDY]

 :oIt Should Work, it has in the Past, Even then you might "Use" careful application of Leverage