Hey guys,
I was just wondering how I should go about removing the front headlight lenses so that I can paint the inside housing black. I heard of putting them in an oven but does this really work and can it damage the headlight. I also heard of using a lighter? Which is the best way to go? I want to get it off, does not matter how long it takes, just as long as it doesn't break. Please help!!

 

Hi,

In order for you to get the actual headlights out, you will need to remove the bumper. From there, there are brackets that the headlight is bolted to-you can't miss them. As far as taking them apart, you can put them in the over at around 200 degrees or so for about 5 minutes I believe. You just need them in there long enough that the silicon melts. You can also use a heatgun or a hairdryer if the over idea scares you.

Hope this helps.

 

BTW, to reseal them VXCL knows of some pretty good stuff for sealing them up tight.

 

the stuff you use to seal up the light you can buy at a local hardware store its a 2 ton epoxy and some sealant, but dont get any on the lense cause you will never get it off, this is some tough shit and hard to get off

PM VXCL he has more info on this but 200 degrees for 5 mins, dont keep on checking on it it will just delay the time, 5 mins thats all, and then carefully pull apart you may need a razor blade to get those strainds that pull away from the edge, once seperated on one spot you can go around and pull the lense off

hope this helps

 

Make sure you take the little black drainage tubes from the back of the headlights out before you put it in the over. Those thing stink and smoke when you turn the oven on the next time!

 

i found 250 degrees is a good temp. i left one in there for 15 mins to see what would happen and it was fine. if you dont think your oven temp is accurate 200 is good. i bake em for 8-10 mins. make sure you put foil on the baking sheet if you use one. the housing on the bare metal might melt. dont worry about the small black venting tubes. just make sure none fall if into the oven. i would take them off anyways cuz you will have to re glue them most likely after baking the headlamp.

when you do pull the lense off and you get strings of grey oem sealant dont push it back into the housing, you'll prob just end up making it hard to push completely back together again. as long as you put enough new sealant in you'll be fine. i reccommend permatex ultra black sealant. good to 500 degrees. squeeze a good bead in the housing (make sure you heat the housing back up first if you dont have a heat gun) then just push the lense on. the black sealant will glob out. DO NOT SMEAR IT OR WIPE IT!!! LET IT DRY!!!! when it does you can pull it right off with no damage to the lense. never ever use goo gone!! you will make a huge mess and ruin the housing. it just smears the silicone everywhere.

 

Thanks for the posts guys, ill let you guys know how it turns out.

 

make sure you put foil on the baking sheet if you use one. the housing on the bare metal might melt. wish i would have heard that before... damn it i melted some of the plastic... ohh well it still came out good... 200 seems to be a good temp...

 

i tried