Clearing/ painting my headlights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 05:51 PM
  #1  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
Cool Clearing/ painting my headlights

im using the heatgun method. I got a qustions for you guys, should i got body color or black?????
i cant seem to decide, i do know im probably getting my tail lights tinted sooner or later, so im leaning towards black.

Gloss or flat????


oh yea BTW: does anyone have THOUROUGH instructions on taking the headlights off? i cant seem to find the last bolt...
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 06:04 PM
  #2  
VoLLy's Avatar
Meridian
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,071
Likes: 32
From: Canada, Ontario, GTA
Black.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 06:04 PM
  #3  
MurkyRiversTL's Avatar
COTM Coordinator
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 15
From: Apple Valley, Ca
black
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 06:05 PM
  #4  
MurkyRiversTL's Avatar
COTM Coordinator
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 15
From: Apple Valley, Ca
remove bumper to remove headlight, look under headlight to see bolt.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 06:08 PM
  #5  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
^^there we go haha. thanks. anyone have hints about clearing that i should know about? im already lookin at the DIY's. i specifically want to know what the glue is and where i can find it.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 06:25 PM
  #6  
MurkyRiversTL's Avatar
COTM Coordinator
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 15
From: Apple Valley, Ca
you should just be able to reuse the factory sealant. THe oven method is the best way for that.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 06:38 PM
  #7  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
im thinkin the oven is a bit safer, the heatgun poses too many risks haha.

You sure i would be able to use the factory sealant? what if i need more?
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 06:42 PM
  #8  
MurkyRiversTL's Avatar
COTM Coordinator
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 15
From: Apple Valley, Ca
Ive done it twice on my lights, and never had a leak or condensation......... maybe im just lucky
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 06:44 PM
  #9  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
alright, ill take your advice, you know what your talking about haha, did you get your car running back in shape? or are you still having trouble?
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 06:45 PM
  #10  
MurkyRiversTL's Avatar
COTM Coordinator
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 15
From: Apple Valley, Ca
its running puuuuurrrrrfect
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 06:46 PM
  #11  
6MTUA5's Avatar
No He Can't
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,137
Likes: 11
From: Florida
Get the stuff from your local Nissan dealer. From what I've read, people have been having the best results with it. It comes in a big roll.

http://www.mynismo.com/products/?id=5577&rsku=0
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 10:10 PM
  #12  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
ok...so im about to bake...does the wet towel go wrapped around the light or just under the light between the aluminum foil?
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 10:12 PM
  #13  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
preheated..
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 10:25 PM
  #14  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
ok, figured it out. how will i know when the glue is melted? should it be fairly easy to pry apart?
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2008 | 11:30 PM
  #15  
Razzi's Avatar
T-Swzy
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,575
Likes: 0
From: Saint Paul, MN
"If you have taken apart your headlight to paint your housing, we recommend purchasing the OEM sealer."
i like that nissan acknowledges people modding their car. acura seems to be more like "you mod, you're fucked"
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:00 AM
  #16  
bigeshorte45's Avatar
Three Wheelin'
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 0
mine were kinda hard to pry apart after baking, (DAve - "Doc's TL-S" helped me)
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:11 AM
  #17  
MurkyRiversTL's Avatar
COTM Coordinator
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 15
From: Apple Valley, Ca
they will be dificult to pull apart but its doable with one person. like I said before I did mine twice, and I did it by myself. I didn't uds scissors or a knife to cut the sealant apart I just pulled like I was trying to rip someones chest open and it came apart....... lol.

once apart I think there is a screw that holds the piece inplace.

oh and the wet toel goes underneath not wrapped around. if at first it doesn't come completely apart just rebake for more time then pull more.

don't forget to post pics of the finished product...... were all interested..... or at least I am.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:41 AM
  #18  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
i just finished puttin it all back together guys, and i chose to use a gloss metallic black paint, it was rather simple except for 1 little issue... MORE TO COME!!! stay tuned guys, and thanks for the help
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 03:42 AM
  #19  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
step 1: remove bumper

step 2: remove lights

step 3: remove bulbs (wear gloves)

step 4: Use a dremel to sand down little F%cking nub in the center of the hex screw

step 5: bake headlights on a wet towel at 250 degrees for 7 minutes

step 6: pry apart light using a spatula and cut the glue using a blade
NO PIC
Step 7: prime and paint and paint again



step 8: put it all back together

step 9: take pics for Azine




Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 06:41 AM
  #20  
philly fresh's Avatar
Its good to be FRESH!!
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
wet towel idea is a smart one. imaginary rep points for you
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 07:24 AM
  #21  
VoLLy's Avatar
Meridian
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,071
Likes: 32
From: Canada, Ontario, GTA
Nice job man! That was fast!
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 10:31 AM
  #22  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
Thanks guys! it actually took me about 7 hours if i didnt got to wal-mart and go grocery shopping first
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 11:03 AM
  #23  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
Originally Posted by philly fresh
wet towel idea is a smart one. imaginary rep points for you
thanks, but i really cant take full credit for that haha, i got the idea from the cardomain DIY
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 11:58 AM
  #24  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
one more bumb before i let the thread die
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 12:06 PM
  #25  
jjashaa's Avatar
Avant Garde Wheels
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 14,026
Likes: 349
From: Cypress, CA
nice job. i did the blow dryer (heatgun) method and took me about a little over 3 hours to finish everything.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 02:35 PM
  #26  
6MTUA5's Avatar
No He Can't
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,137
Likes: 11
From: Florida
Nice work I definitely gotta grow some balls and do this one day.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 05:17 PM
  #27  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
Its really not as hard as I thought, I resealing them today with some silicone stuff because I had a bit of condensation.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 05:31 PM
  #28  
myron's Avatar
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 269
From: Edmonton, Canada
I wanna do this too but I dont wanna fuck shit up, blacked out headlights like that on a black car would look good I think but too scared rigth now. might do it on my parents car first just to practice.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 06:10 PM
  #29  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
LOL, do it on your own car, you will put more patience and dedication into it, i dont think your parents will appreciate you putting their car out of commission for hours..
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 06:12 PM
  #30  
illmat1k's Avatar
Thass Wassup!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 439
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles, CA
Thats OG. I did that for my 6th Gen Accord and it came out great. Now I think I want to do it for my TLS.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 08:00 PM
  #31  
MurkyRiversTL's Avatar
COTM Coordinator
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 15
From: Apple Valley, Ca
Good job Phee, glad to see it came out good..... welll besides the condensation..... I guess I really was lucky to not have to reseal it.

Sorry for the bad advice>
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 08:54 PM
  #32  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
No bad advice, I can't figure out what's going on, I dried and resealed them, and there is still condensation
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 08:58 PM
  #33  
MurkyRiversTL's Avatar
COTM Coordinator
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 15
From: Apple Valley, Ca
Take them apart, completely, when you put them back in the oven, the moisture from the towel got in there. Take everything apart, ballasts, you dont have to take the lens off, just make sure that everything is dry. Are you in a humid area...... wait ATL is THE humid area.

Damn I dunno dude.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 10:12 PM
  #34  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
i dunno either, i put them under heat lamps and all the moisture was gone, as soon as i walked outside..BAM water in the things
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 10:24 PM
  #35  
MurkyRiversTL's Avatar
COTM Coordinator
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 15
From: Apple Valley, Ca
I think the heat lamp (depending on the level of heat) just evaporated the water, and as soon as the heat source is gone the water comes back. I would either remove the lens again and and dry everything off, and this time when backing make sure both sides are facing up so they dont trap moisture.

Or you can try to dry it off with a blow dryer inside one of the holes. Im not sure if that would work, but thats all I can think of.

Can you take a pic of the condensation?
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 11:02 PM
  #36  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
im gunna try the blowdryer thing tomoro, im pretty sure i sealed them up sexy nice... i definitely did a good job sealing them, it may just be that the water evaporated
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 11:05 PM
  #37  
MurkyRiversTL's Avatar
COTM Coordinator
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 15
From: Apple Valley, Ca
Well I hope everything turns out ok. Let me know.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 11:25 PM
  #38  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
ill post and update. thanks for all the help
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2008 | 08:26 AM
  #39  
phee's Avatar
Thread Starter
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,203
Likes: 231
i had no idea blow dryers are so damn expensive. ill dry it out this afternoon, ill probably remove all the electrical stuff and submerge the housing under water and see where the leak is coming from
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2008 | 11:06 AM
  #40  
jjashaa's Avatar
Avant Garde Wheels
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 14,026
Likes: 349
From: Cypress, CA
blow dryer method and no condensation or leaks. hehehe

good luck man.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:22 PM.