How do you take out the courtesy lamps in the rear sail panel? I have the car in the upholstery shop to get the headliner redone and the guy can´t seem to get the lamps or lenses out. I appreciate he called to ask before destroying anything... Any advice on how to?
How does he know he can't get the bulbs out if he can get the lenses out? Hard to believe an auto upholstery guy can't figure something like that out. The bulbs are the same as a Skylark/GS. 212, https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-212-2-Miniature-Contains-Bulbs/dp/B00318V25U They pry right out in a really obvious way. The sail panel lenses have multiple tabs that retain them in the housing in a Skylark/GS. All it takes is a small screwdriver to gently pry them out. Original ones can be brittle from years of heat. It is possible to break them even when you are careful. Not sure what the 1972 Electra sail panel lights look like. Got a picture?
Todd has the lenses, see the tabs? https://www.stage1restoration.com/product/dome-light-lens-sail-panel/
I usually use a small screw driver to pry them out, but generally avoid the glass as much as possible. They are in there pretty tight.
Thanks Larry, for reminding me to revert: We found pics of replacement parts and figured, there would be 3 or 4 tabs. He got the lenses out and back in without breaking them. Said he used like a thick needle. Headliners all in, looks good.
