disgruntlednut

I opened up my headlights to remove the reflectors 3 years ago, and since then, they fog up when it rains a lot, so I've decided to tackle it again and re-seal even better. I was certain I had used more than enough silicone last time, but missed the "re-bake in the oven for 10 minutes" step after putting the headlights back together. I want to re-do the seals and paint the chrome, but am looking for some advice beforehand.

1) Anyone replace the gasket between the ballast and the bottom of the headlight? (#4 in the pic). I don't know what kind of shape mine are in, just wondering if it plays a factor into sealing the headlight unit properly

2) What's the best way of getting rid of all the old silicone (now 2 different kinds including OEM and mine from 3 years ago)? I spent FOREVER on it last time and still wasn't happy at the end. Ideas besides a really sharp blade?

3) Has anyone used the Dupli-Color Shadow (LINK HERE) spray paint for the headlights? Ideas on how well it'll stick to plastic since it's made for metal? I want to make sure the paint doesn't start peeling, bubbling, or flaking after putting the headlight back together. Can I spray the Shadow spray-paint directly on the "chrome" plastic? Or should I use some primer and just find some reg black spray paint?

4) If I'm painting the chrome piece, how long should I let the paint dry for before putting the headlight back together and putting it in the oven for a bit to soften and melt all the silicone? (~200 degrees, no more than 10 minutes. Just enough to get it hot) Odds of messing up the paint?

Included some pics of what the front of the car currently looks like. Depending on how it turns out, I may re-do the front grills and road-lamps.

Questions, comments, concerns, advice, criticism?

disgruntlednut

One more pic of the headlight as it is right now... Also divided 50/50 whether I should paint them at all or not. I haven't decided whether I'll like the painted lights or chrome/clear better on a silver car.

dave586270

iTrader: (3)

Tough call! I'd deff give the painting a shot. I was so mad that I didn't when i took apart my '01 headlights to clear them. Then I just got some '03 and cleared those. Didn't have to worry about painting. There is a solid DIY in the sticky section I think on painting. He lists the pain he used and everything.

AARONSredTYPE-S

ID say if you put down a good primer and then paint, you should be fine....plus, i would just use a blow dryer/heat gun rather than baking the headlights..

nice car btw, gl

dave586270

iTrader: (3)

x2

The heat gun give you a little bit more control. I baked my second set to clear them and i was terrified! It works, but the heat gun has much more control.

disgruntlednut

Everything is going smoothly so far. Going to paint and re-seal tomorrow. I actually prefer the oven over a heat gun. Don't have enough hands to hold the headlight, a screwdriver and/or blade, and keep a heat gun pointed where I need it. Giving the shadow paint a shot, hoping it turns out well. The silicone I used last time was much easier to get apart than the OEM adhesive. Still thinking of ideas of what will seal better... Maybe liquid nails (I'm testing it on some other plastic to see how it sets up). Or possibly an industrial polyurethane compound I found. Thanks for the advice Aaron and Dave

AARONSredTYPE-S

I hope it comes out good for you. love to see the pics when your done.
i havent i will be modding mine this weekend as well, but i have an ;03, so my lights are different....gl

disgruntlednut

Success. Painted and sealed, and used the shadow chrome paint on half the roadlamps today, waiting for them dry. I've gotta admit, it looks pretty good! Undecided on doing the front grill surround and/or the center piece. Aaron how did yours turn out? Expect pics in the coming days.

AARONSredTYPE-S

MY HIDs never showed, so im waiting for them to show up, so i can do it all at one day..
cant wait to see yours man
what did you use to seal them back up?

disgruntlednut

I just used a basic clear window/door silicone from home depot. It's rained the entire evening and it's ridiculously humid outside, and so far, no fog. I'll check again in the morning. I know most people won't agree with this, but it makes sense when you think about it: when you're closing up the headlights, don't compress them all the way with your hands. If you push the halves all the way together then let go or it moves apart at all, it'll create pockets in the silicone. it's better to push the halves together lightly, then clamp/zip tie them together the rest of the way so the two halves don't have any room to separate. Because I've opened and closed these headlights twice before, and I can't blame it on the silicone anymore, it has to be the technique.

Total2f

How many coats did you use? I was going to try the same thing with an extra set of headlights I had but after trying that paint out on my front emblem I wasn't real happy with the results.

disgruntlednut

I had to put like 6 coats on them because I accidentally dropped one and instinctively grabbed it before it hit the ground while the paint was still wet. So the black chrome look I was hoping for didn't happen, just had to keep putting layers of paint on to hide my screw-up. The roadlamps did turn out exactly how I wanted them to though.

Total2f

Yeah I did 4 on my front emblem and it just looked black but that could be because there isn't much surface area. How many did you put on the road lamps? Pics?

disgruntlednut

I put 3 light coats on the bottom portion of the roadlamps (inside on the lower silver portion). I think I'm going to put one light coat on the rest of it too. I have a couple of pics but they're not very good (iPhone). I'm in New York for a couple of weeks, and whenever I get back and they're 100% done, I'm going to take some pics and post them. Gotta do the grill too.

dave586270

iTrader: (3)

Good work man, stoked to see how this turns out! I've opened two sets twice each...you start to get a technique down for sure. Post them pics!

disgruntlednut

Sorry guys, iPhone pics are all I've got til I can finish it up properly. Going to do a light coat over the reflective portion of the roadlamps, paint the chrome grill trim SSM, black out the center part of the grill, and use the black-chrome on the emblem.

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

Waaaaaaay better.

AARONSredTYPE-S

looks like '03 to me, which i think look great..wth is SKB?...LOL

cu0ngsayz

iTrader: (1)

looks good... cant really tell its black chrome... just looks black to me hahah

disgruntlednut

SKB are my initials, felt like adding a little personal touch and they don't look like black chrome at all because I had to put like 6 coats on them to hide the handprint I accidentally put on it when I dropped it and grabbed it. I'll get some better pics of the roadlamps after a couple weeks.

dave586270

iTrader: (3)

Damn man, good work!