darkfox12

I bought 500 degree resistant black gloss paint b/c im blackenin out my headlights tomorrow while i clear them. I was wondering if this paint was good enough to withstand the heat in the headlights. People have said you need 1200 and others have said the headlight does not get hot at all. So do i need to step up to 1200 or is 500 good enough.

moahdriven

miiiiike 500 is fine. I dont even think it would get to 500 if u aimed the headlights directly at the paint.

darkfox12

bump

shawn744

i've heard on here, people bought like..outdoor grill paint that stands 800 degrees or something....does that make sense?

fsttyms1

you DONT need high temp paint!!! the lights dont get that hot! regular automotive paint would suffice.

aaronnn

yup, even a 500 degree paint would be overkill.

Bxscig

It cant be that hot, I can put my hand there and it is fine. Warm to touch. I've touch halgons at 55Ws and those burn thru the headlight.

Mr Hyde

500 is overkill itself as everyone said.

El pana/TL32

Besides... some of those high temp paints, require "cure" time, meaning the item once painted, must be submitted to high heat (oven for example) in order to cure properly and withstand the max temp stated on the can, otherwise, you are defeating the purpose of high temp paint.

Also, if use on headlights, you "must" cure the paint, otherwise you are facing "potential" problems from the fumes fogging up the headlights, because of the heat generated from the bulb and time.

darkfox12

what do you mean by cure'in the paint?

darkfox12

dont i just, shake the can etc like the directions say, paint the chrome piece then apply clearcoat, allow 2 hours to dry and put it back in the headlight and seal it up?

fsttyms1

its a term for drying.

i paint cars and have painted many engine parts(including the block and heads) with automotive paint. it can withstand alot of temp. headlights dont produce that much heat. if they did the Plastic headlights would melt

darkfox12

ic, so should i not even use the 500 degree black paint or is that fine for blacken the headlights out

fsttyms1

first you should scuff the area up with a scuff pad or 220 grit.

and as for clear does the can say the paint requires clear coat? or is it a single stage. ive never seen a high temp paint that required clear

fsttyms1

you have it, use it, its fine, its just overkill

darkfox12

aiite, thanks fsttyms. Ill post pics once im done tonight, hopefully everything goes well.

fsttyms1

good luck!

darkfox12

so you basiclly mean sand down the chrome piece a bit

darkfox12

and ill check the clear coat thing, i actually dont think it said that you need to apply clearcoat.

El pana/TL32

Correct! High tem is not really a requirement, but if you have you can use it. Good luck! Post pics of the finish product

fsttyms1

yes sand down the areas that your going to paint with any thing between 220 and 400 grit. then paint away. many light coats are better than heavy ones

moahdriven

i think he means the chrome piece in the headlight casing. If u sanded that down with 220 grit ud ruin it cuz its already smooth wouldnt u?

fsttyms1

you want to sand it if your painting it. if you dont paint wont bond good and stand the chance of pealing. dont sand anything you dont plan on painting

moahdriven

aaaaahahahahaha were not even half way done. OMG clearing headlightds is such a bitc}{