Can't wait til you open your services to the public! I am definitely going to do this. Just gotta decide between cleared and color matched. Does it make a huge difference on a NBP?

 

^^ On NBP no, i'd just stick to blacked out that way you wont have to get the paint etc.

 

JnC so how do we reserve the primary slot after you're done with the GB sets? (aside from needing it be an 04-05/07-08 stocks)

and how long before you're done with the GB and ready to begin the next sets?

 

Alright... just waiting on you now. Get back to work!!

 

Locksmith sent his headlights in for colormatch/cleared and here they are . Front lens was in rough condition with paint over spray, I refinished it just a bit to get minor scratches and paint off. BTW refinish was done using polishes alone rather than sand paper etc.

 

^^^^ I NEED TO SEE THOSE PICS ON THE CAR

 

Great work!!
Any predictions as to when you’ll be complete the GB and open for new business?

Thanks

 

^^ I am open . Its just that the headlights for the trade in program are tied up but that would be taken care of soon as well since I just acquired 2 sets of 04-05 TL headlights

 

Ask and you shall receive , headlights done for slimboogie

 

Cool
Just let me know when I can add my name to the new trade-in program and I'm in like a dirty shirt

 

I just want the headlight smoked or at least just the amber diffuser..
Can you help?

 

Here are a few pictures of smoked/cleared 04 headlights, lmk.

 

JnC, Im interested in a trade in program or straight up purchase. The problem is that my 04 headlights seem like the outside of it is really chipped. I am assuming that you wont do a trade in with these. I am interested in blacked out /cleared.

thanks,

 

^^ If you can send them in then I can resurface the front lens .

 

Any chance a set of 08 Type-S lights came in? I would love to have this done!!

 

I would need more smoke...
I have an 06 btw

 

wow, that is good news JnC. Now I just have to find time to spare to live without the lights for a while. Ill let you know.

thanks,

 

Please let me know when 04-05 are available for trade in.

 

I will start an official list soon, I have just acquired two more sets of 04-05 headlights and I'll have one 06 set available in a month or so

 

Hey JnC, I have an 06. I was wondering if you would be able to take out the orange reflector and put in the 07-08 TL-S reflector (half clear half orange) and how much it would cost?

 

I want in on this deal, also. Let me know when you're up and runnin' for an '05 NBP. Thanks.

 

The philips 85122+ bulb you are talking about from HIDplanet says it is rated at 5000k? You were saying they were 4300k? Do you have any pictures with the philips bulb with zkw replicas? Thanks.

 

^ I mentioned this elsewhere as well, they are 4200k, when they first came out everyone thought they were 5000k bulbs and confused them for Phillips 85122CM (CM for color match) bulbs. HID bulbs loose their intensity over their life and gain some color, they are a bit yellow in the beginning but once they color shit (after 100 hours of use) they whiten a bit along with loosing their intensity.

85122CM bulbs are made so that they can be used to replace a blown bulb but at the same time be of the same color as the other used bulb on the car. CM bulbs are indeed 5000k.

85122+ bulbs were first introduced in LS430 and RX330 models, these bulbs are rated at 4200k along with 3400 lumens of intensity. Bulbs are known to not loose their intensity and not color shift compares to other OEM D2S bulbs on the market.

Most people confuse the kelvin rating to be the intensity of an HID bulb, thats wrong. Intensity is measured in Lumens rather than kelvin, the K rating only indicates color. The higher the K rating the lower the Lumen rating, this is more true in case of aftermarket HID bulbs made by non OEM brands such as Phillips and Osram.

Our TLs come with Osram D2S bulbs from factory which in my opinion is ridiculous. This bulb color shifts to a white output but at the same time drops from 3200 lumens (when new) to as much as 2400 Lumens.

Granted that the 4200k rating is not for everyone and will take some getting use since its a bit yellow than what mose people as use to but trust me once you go the 85122+ route you will never go back.

Here is a stat sheet on the 85122+ bulb




As far as the replica and real ZKW debate goes.

Well I am not endorsing any vendors here again, the ZKWs are rare and are very tough to find. I paid close to $400 for the first set I ever acquired for retrofit in my 2G TL but to me it was money well spent and other people on the board with ZKW swaps can attest to that comment. If you can find the real thing then more power to you and my vote certainly is for the real ZKW.

The replica lenses are not replicas of the actual ZKW but are indeed clear replicas of the OEM TL fresnel lens. You have to be real anal about HID/output etc to notice the difference between the output of replica lens and ZKW lens in a TL projector. The replicas can be easily acquired plus they are eons cheaper than the real ZKWs, those two are the deciding factors.

Here are some pictures borrowed from a member at another forum, these are TL projectors with replica lenses. Notice that the OP has altered the projector a bit to create more foreground lighting, something that I wouldnt suggest.


some actual pictures of ZKW, replica and OEM TL lenses

and here are some pictures by another member of TL with actual ZKW lenses.



Information overload?

 

Wow!...that clarified a lot of things for me...thanks! I'm thinking about gettin' these replicas..not gonna be a whole lot outta my pocket so might as well try it.

 

Topflight1 sent his headlights in to be cleared and blacked out .

The front lenses had some sort of damage from heat/rockblocker etc I have seen it in the past as well with some headlights. Unfortunately the damage is within the lens rather than scratches and such on the surface which can be buffed/sanded out.

 

Hey JnC, I have an 06. I was wondering if you would be able to take out the orange reflector and put in the 07-08 TL-S reflector (half clear half orange) and how much it would cost?

 

AHHH!! Anyone have an extra set of 08 Type-S head lights?? I would like to do the swap, but need my head lights almost everyday. Anyone? LOL!

 

Nevermind my last post on the old thread jnc.....i ended up findin this new thread of urs....when ever u get the list started i definitely wanna b on it...i have an 05 tl and i'll do the trade in...cleared and blacked out

 

jnc...would u b able to put that zkw replica lens in it to? i'll pay the difference

 

I had a few PMs and people wanted to be in on the trade in program before I started this thread so those two would be the first one on the list, others I have just picked up from the beginning of the thread till now. At the moment I have 3 sets of 04-06 headlights, I will have one set of 06 headlight in a month or so, one set of 07-08 base model headlight (may be 2 in a month or so depending how the claim with USPS goes).

Who ever is on the list, kindly add your cars year and what you want done to your set. Who ever wants to be on the list add your name to the end of the list.

Just like I did in the last thread I will update the thread every time a set gets done with pictures.


Official List for the trade in program

JJaber06
ML2
JCL622
Bearcat94
Jingy08
Cdat
o4Komodo
Distorted Reality
Jmkiang
NightFox.Technologies
Huyster1
MaxAmillion
ThePunisher2099
CmyACshoyaRack
markk1661

If you want to send your headlights in then PM me, turn around time depends on what means of shipping you use.

 

Just provide the lenses and I'll swap the OEMs with the replicas.

 

I would like to be on the list, but PM'd you and posted in this thread a couple weeks ago. Only thing is I have an 08 Type-S.

I would like to have them blacked out, ZWK lenses, Angel Eyes, and the Switchbacks if possible. I posted a picture of how I wanted them to look when they were done.

 

Official List for the trade in program

JJaber06
ML2
JCL622
Bearcat94
Jingy08
Cdat
o4Komodo
Distorted Reality
Jmkiang
NightFox.Technologies
Huyster1 - cleared/blacked out (2005)
MaxAmillion
ThePunisher2099
CmyACshoyaRack
markk1661

 

nice man i got a set of bmw projectors that fit the tl lens i didnt even know they fit until i saw this thread.... the cut off color is so sick and worth the mod....im doing it...thanks for the pics jnc....and the silver paint on the cleared headlights looks siiick!

 

what kind of bulb do i need to get that clear/blueish tone for the turn signals?

 

You can add me to the list,

JJaber06
ML2
JCL622
Bearcat94
Jingy08
Cdat
o4Komodo
Distorted Reality
Jmkiang
NightFox.Technologies
Huyster1 - cleared/blacked out (2005)
MaxAmillion
ThePunisher2099
CmyACshoyaRack
markk1661

IncaPower 05 NBP cleared blacked out

 

JJaber06
ML2
JCL622 (2004 - cleared out)
Bearcat94
Jingy08
Cdat
o4Komodo
Distorted Reality
Jmkiang
NightFox.Technologies
Huyster1 - cleared/blacked out (2005)
MaxAmillion
ThePunisher2099
CmyACshoyaRack
markk1661
IncaPower 05 NBP cleared blacked out

 

sounds good....let me kno when ya ready

 

JJaber06
ML2
JCL622 (2004 - cleared out)
Bearcat94
Jingy08
Cdat
o4Komodo
Distorted Reality
Jmkiang
NightFox.Technologies
Huyster1 - cleared/blacked out (2005)
MaxAmillion
ThePunisher2099
CmyACshoyaRack - (2005) cleared/blacked out
markk1661
IncaPower 05 NBP cleared blacked out

 

ready 04 cleared out painted to match car with trade in