Take Apart Those Headlights

I know that these are not headlights but thought that it looked cool and am wondering if anyone has done this?
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What brand and type of black paint did you guys use that would withstand the heat and freezing temps? Any prep work to paint like sand surface?
 
Viperi said:
What brand and type of black paint did you guys use that would withstand the heat and freezing temps? Any prep work to paint like sand surface?
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some prep work is always good but like i said in my post above, the part stays in so it doesn't ever have to face any kind of debris. go with krylon can.
 
I just used regular home depot semi gloss. Sand away the chrome and wash them very good. Let air dry completely, then paint in light coats. I did three coats. One thing while taking them apart is to be careful with tabs. Dont rush it. I broke off tabs in both headlights (plastic cover in turn signal, you'll see what I'm talking about)
 
Same here. Still have a fingerpring inside the headlight... not too noticable but bothers me. Maybe when I redo them ill do it right
 
Who else has done this DIY? I'm thinking about trying it this winter but don't want to mess up my headlights.
 
very easy. Just take your time.This is how i did it. preheat 350. turn over off, put some plywood down then the lights in for 4 mins. Take headlights out and close oven door. pry the top of the headlight apart. Once apart, put back in oven upside down(bottom up) for 2 mins, then work on the bottom half. way easier then doing it one shot and forcing it open and breaking tabs.
 
I have a set that I'm working on right now. Should be done by next week if you want them.....
 
I'm thinking of doing this mod, when painting the inside I noticed you guys painted the reflector on the projector part of the headlight. Did you guys loose any light out put as a result? IDK but I would think that you would as the light is not reflected out of the lens and not projecting as much light. Also i saw on another post that Mark had changed a plastic part while inside with i believe clear plexiglass, what is he refering to? Any info would be helpful, thanks in advance!
 
Not that hard guys. My first set I broke tabs that hold the turn signal protector on. Nothing critical but if you do it nice and slow it'll be good. I'll just be painting the inside black an if I find the clear plexiglass I might try that. Not likely though.
 
I did it for the first time last weekend with Handy Andy himself and let me tell you, it was much easier than I expected. I am confident enough to do it on my own now, but still nice to have an extra, knowledgeable hand near by. We baked them at 300 degrees instead and left in the oven for about eight minutes. Wear gloves, they get very hot! It was really easy to pry open with a little muscle. Just pry a little at a time around the headlight at the seams, here and there and it just starts to open up. Lift up on the tabs prior to baking and after before prying, should reduce the chance of them breaking too. The adhesive can get a little messy, like chewing gum, for the most part it stayed in and was clean from prying it open.

I think the oven/baking part is what scares everyone off. Actually, the hardest part is removing the headlights from the car. I'm probably going to change the projectors to clear ones since they are opened up anyways.
 
AeroBFA said:
I did it for the first time last weekend with Handy Andy himself and let me tell you, it was much easier than I expected. I am confident enough to do it on my own now, but still nice to have an extra, knowledgeable hand near by. We baked them at 300 degrees instead and left in the oven for about eight minutes. Wear gloves, they get very hot! It was really easy to pry open with a little muscle. Just pry a little at a time around the headlight at the seams, here and there and it just starts to open up. Lift up on the tabs prior to baking and after before prying, should reduce the chance of them breaking too. The adhesive can get a little messy, like chewing gum, for the most part it stayed in and was clean from prying it open.

I think the oven/baking part is what scares everyone off. Actually, the hardest part is removing the headlights from the car. I'm probably going to change the projectors to clear ones since they are opened up anyways.
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So you guys want to practice on a 2nd Gen? I'm thinking about doing this since my Fx will be out of commission next weekend.
 
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