peter parker

like the s2000's black head lamps

how do i do this to my 99 cl 2.3

peter parker

post A Tutorial or a buy link or both

any help is good help

1StGenCL

welcome to the board I have posted the instructions in numerous threads but i dont feel like typing them out because of how long they are. Try doing a search for "black housings" and you should find my other post

hornyleprechaun

I know i've seen topics on this before...just use the search function...it really helps out sometimes...especially when a majority of the people are sleeping...it'll save you some time..

CL'S

SumkidwithaCL

here it goes...

First you gotta take the headlights out of the car... this is a pretty long and difficult process because of the bolt locations. There are 5 10mm bolts per headlight that hold it in, 2 right on the top, one on the inner side by the horns, one on the bottom up inside the bumper and one on the outerside below the corner light.

Once all the bolts are out, its a not-so-fun process of jimmying the lights loose... I think you are suposed to actually take the bumper off to get them out, but they do come out with the bumper on the car.

DUSTBUSTER- can you post a diagram from your manual as to how to actually remove the headlights. Thanks!

With the headlights out of the car, you need to heat the adhesive that holds the lens to the housing... put the light assembly in a 200 degree oven on a cookie sheet for a few minutes, and keep prying at the assembly untill you can pull it apart. It may take a couple times in the oven, but they do come apart.

Once the headlight is in 2 pieces, you will see screws that hold the chrome trim in front of the reflector in place, take them out... pop out the trim and prep and paint away. When you put the lights back together, you can heat them again and press the adhesive back together, just add a little clear silicone first, then stick them back together while they are still nice and warm.

Phew... hopefully that will help you out... and im sure someone will add to this with any tips/shortcuts they may have.

BTW- WELCOME TO THE BOARD!!

peter parker

Thanks for the welcome ,

will i need to use a Hi-heat paint or gloss so that the black dons't absorb to much light.

1StGenCL

Def. use high temp paint because it would really suck if the lights started to peel from the bulbs. I used flat i believe and it looks really good. Another member (clpower) wanted to do his in black chrome color so the decision is up to you. I just liked the JDM flat black/semi gloss look.

SumkidwithaCL

personally, i'd go with a flat black... or a flat dark grey like the new cl's and s2000's are.

peter parker

O.K. I'll post pics when complete'ed

Thanks

1StGenCL

Heres flat black

d98clturbo

that looks real nice...i just finished mine, i just have to put them back on my car

peter parker

i have completed my lights take a look

peter parker

day2

peter parker

day3

Blacura

lookin great peter! I'm gonna do that real soon. Question: did you have to take your bumper off to get the lights out? Also exactly how many minutes did you put them in the oven for? I don't wanna melt my headlights

peter parker

NO OVEN, I was to chicken

so i used a hair dryer ; somelse did that in the forum ,
(Thanks whoever you are )

Bumper removle :

Yes if you want to save time and your hands and your lights
Bumper removle was easy for me , and honestly the folks who said they got them out without taking it off must pratice the dark arts of magic



Take out you corner lights on your lower bumper. You'll see through the hole a black bolt in thing , it has two bolts .

in your front wheel weld , right were you see the end of you bumper look underneth and you'll see a skrew that holds the edge of the bumper to the fender.

I'd take thoe out first cause they really dont support they just connect and if you take out the front blots all the stress will probably rip thoe little skrews out of the plastic.

good luck

Blacura

thanks pete So it's just the 2 screws behind the bumper lights and hten the 2 clips in the wheel well? Sounds easy! Also exactly what kind of paint did you use. I know you gotta use high-temp, but what brand? Also how did you prep the lights? Did you sand off the chrome and primer it or did you just paint right over the chrome? Sorry for all the questions

jttoombs

This is gonna be my weekend project and I to want to know how you prepped the housing. Did you spray it with primer and sand?

peter parker

actually i may have skrewed up ,
i didn't sand ( good point , sanding maybe beneficial)

and i used enamel

I mased the chrome on the side of the light thoe

but it's not peeling and looks great , and if it dose
good thing is i know how to fix it .

But sanding and priming would be best

peter parker

Home Depot

RUST O ELM HiGH HEAT BAR-B-Q BLACK $6 buck

jttoombs

Awesome Im not the only person who uses my clothes hamper lid as a work table

peter parker

Blacura

hey peter, i have my bumper off and lights off and i can't get the freakin things apart. I'm using your hairdryer technique, but how long do you do it and how do you pry it apart?

jttoombs

Blacura beat me to the question how long does it take and do you just stick a flat head screwdriver in and pull back?

Blacura

I've been trying that, but i don't wanna break the tabs I guess i'll wait til he replies...

peter parker

patience and persistent fellow CL'ers
you don't want to break anything

my hair dryer is 1600 watts :flamer:

you should keep close direct heat until the the adhesive becomes tacky
I used butter knives to seperate while warm.

these will be destroyed , so don't use the ones mom makes your jelly sandwitches with

you will have to reheat for a good seal

FYI : the adhesive is a 3M seam sealer found in the paint and body section of NAPA Auto parts

hope this helps

Blacura

got em apart used a hairdryer then an X-acto knife and a flathead screwdriver. On the label for the hi-temp paint i got, it says NO PRIMER NEEDED real big so i didn't prime it. Just put a couple coats on, looks great so far...Real test will be tomorrow when i put everything back together

KitsJAG5254

Hey Peter, can you tell tell me how to take off the bumper easily? Because last time my friend and I did it, we got all the screws out except for the one that's way inside. I don't understand why Acura put so much in there, but anyway if you could give me a link that would show me how or I would appreciate it if you could tell me. Thanks man aight.... If you want to send it through my e-mail here it is kits5254@hotmail.com

Blacura

read the first post at the top of this page, worked for me