DIY: Blacked/Cleared Headlights 3G Garage #G046
#321
AZ Community Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
Posts: 32,488
Received 7,771 Likes
on
4,342 Posts
Do not use silicone either there is a better alternative.
From the research that I have done its best to use Nissan Butyl rubber part # B655389915. Here is a link to a thread that JNC posted explaining all the different sealants to use and he advised to use the Nissan Butyl rubber for the best results. Check it out.
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-problems-fixes-117/clearing-headlights-long-write-up-592215/
From the research that I have done its best to use Nissan Butyl rubber part # B655389915. Here is a link to a thread that JNC posted explaining all the different sealants to use and he advised to use the Nissan Butyl rubber for the best results. Check it out.
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-problems-fixes-117/clearing-headlights-long-write-up-592215/
This Nissan Butyl Rubber Sealant is the Shit!! Costs about $25 for a roll is is MORE than enough for 2 headlights. You can roll it out a bead to fit right in the headlight groove where the old sealant was.
After placing it, heat it up until soft, then stick the headlight together as normal. You can SEE how well it works to seal the headlight - it spreads right out in that groove as you clamp the two halves together.
.
#323
all i did was sand, clean with paint thinner, apply 4 light layers. i skipped out on the primer. as long as the surface is scuffed up and cleaned well it should stick fine. i was going to use a high heat paint but the headlights dont get that hot so no point. and plus high heat paint color selection is limited
#324
Land of 10,000 lakes
iTrader: (2)
This Nissan Butyl Rubber Sealant is the Shit!! Costs about $25 for a roll is is MORE than enough for 2 headlights. You can roll it out a bead to fit right in the headlight groove where the old sealant was.
After placing it, heat it up until soft, then stick the headlight together as normal. You can SEE how well it works to seal the headlight - it spreads right out in that groove as you clamp the two halves together.
.
After placing it, heat it up until soft, then stick the headlight together as normal. You can SEE how well it works to seal the headlight - it spreads right out in that groove as you clamp the two halves together.
.
I highly recommend this stuff if your thinking about clearing your own headlights. Just make sure you use some clamps so you can squeeze the plastic lens to the housing.
#325
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (4)
I am thinking of doing this but I am not sure if I wanna paint the part of chrome around the signal light as well or just leave it chrome. If I paint it black will the signal be visible if its not reflected off of the chrome? I am getting switchbacks if I do this so will it look good if its painted black?
#326
I'm in
Thread Starter
^ Mine were painted and well, it wasn't very bright at all! It wasn't bad, never pulled over, but if I were to redo it, I'd leave a part chrome, even if I were to use LED's.
Better to make sure your turn signal is still visible!
Better to make sure your turn signal is still visible!
#329
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Middletown, NJ
Age: 38
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
hello everyone,
i just stumbled upon this thread and had a question about the removal of the TL bumper...what is the level of difficulty? i'm worried if i attempt it i might break some of the plastic snaps or whatever holds it in place. if that's the case does anyone know what types of snaps/clips they are so i can buy some in advance just in case?
i just stumbled upon this thread and had a question about the removal of the TL bumper...what is the level of difficulty? i'm worried if i attempt it i might break some of the plastic snaps or whatever holds it in place. if that's the case does anyone know what types of snaps/clips they are so i can buy some in advance just in case?
#330
Leather so soft.
iTrader: (2)
hello everyone,
i just stumbled upon this thread and had a question about the removal of the TL bumper...what is the level of difficulty? i'm worried if i attempt it i might break some of the plastic snaps or whatever holds it in place. if that's the case does anyone know what types of snaps/clips they are so i can buy some in advance just in case?
i just stumbled upon this thread and had a question about the removal of the TL bumper...what is the level of difficulty? i'm worried if i attempt it i might break some of the plastic snaps or whatever holds it in place. if that's the case does anyone know what types of snaps/clips they are so i can buy some in advance just in case?
its very ez, easier if you dont have a lip kit.
but a scale from 1 to 10 its def like a 4-5. you wont break any clips.
i did it in a windstorm with the hood closing every 2 minutes scaring the ISH outta me while under the car but easy nonetheless.
all you need is 3 things. a buddy and 2 beers to keep the buddy occupied while you unscrew the bottom and sides.
oh yea its def easier taking it off then puttin it back on. but puttin it back on is a fairly ez also. def. easier than rear cuz you can turn the wheels and access the side screws.
#331
Moderator
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
iTrader: (6)
Not complex at all...just pile up all clips and screws near where they belong so you remember where to put em. Don't be a in a rush and don't be afraid to put some muscle into it, especially the first time taking it off. It's wedged in there pretty well, but it gives and goes back together the same way.
#332
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (12)
its very ez, easier if you dont have a lip kit.
but a scale from 1 to 10 its def like a 4-5. you wont break any clips.
i did it in a windstorm with the hood closing every 2 minutes scaring the ISH outta me while under the car but easy nonetheless.
all you need is 3 things. a buddy and 2 beers to keep the buddy occupied while you unscrew the bottom and sides.
oh yea its def easier taking it off then puttin it back on. but puttin it back on is a fairly ez also. def. easier than rear cuz you can turn the wheels and access the side screws.
but a scale from 1 to 10 its def like a 4-5. you wont break any clips.
i did it in a windstorm with the hood closing every 2 minutes scaring the ISH outta me while under the car but easy nonetheless.
all you need is 3 things. a buddy and 2 beers to keep the buddy occupied while you unscrew the bottom and sides.
oh yea its def easier taking it off then puttin it back on. but puttin it back on is a fairly ez also. def. easier than rear cuz you can turn the wheels and access the side screws.
#333
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Middletown, NJ
Age: 38
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Thanks a lot AcPimpin and rockstar143! im looking into having JnC do a pair of headlights for me. i take it by JnC's previous post that he did your lights AcPimpin? so...how do they look?!
#334
I just did this mod last night and it took me QUITE a while lol. With that being said it wasn't too hard all in all, just time consuming. That could be partly because I put everything back on (lights, bumper, etc.) and then realized my left signal didn't work (which I later realized was because I put it in backwards) <- facepalm lol
But my headlights look sick now which was all I wanted in the first place...that and the air resonator removal
But my headlights look sick now which was all I wanted in the first place...that and the air resonator removal
#335
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Middletown, NJ
Age: 38
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
I just did this mod last night and it took me QUITE a while lol. With that being said it wasn't too hard all in all, just time consuming. That could be partly because I put everything back on (lights, bumper, etc.) and then realized my left signal didn't work (which I later realized was because I put it in backwards) <- facepalm lol
But my headlights look sick now which was all I wanted in the first place...that and the air resonator removal
But my headlights look sick now which was all I wanted in the first place...that and the air resonator removal
#338
Phmbm12
im gonna try this but lemme get this right.
1. take bumper off
2. take light off
3. bake lights for 200 degrees for 20 minutes
4. take them out and open em immediately
5. take out the yellow n something with epoxy?
6. spray paint the 2 pieces
7. add silicon and make it all flush
8. put it back in the oven
9. add more silicon
10. line up headlights n put bumper back on
tell me if im right or wrong cuz i definately dont want to mess up
also; should i clear my headlights or black them out? i have an o6 WDP
thanks for any feedback
1. take bumper off
2. take light off
3. bake lights for 200 degrees for 20 minutes
4. take them out and open em immediately
5. take out the yellow n something with epoxy?
6. spray paint the 2 pieces
7. add silicon and make it all flush
8. put it back in the oven
9. add more silicon
10. line up headlights n put bumper back on
tell me if im right or wrong cuz i definately dont want to mess up
also; should i clear my headlights or black them out? i have an o6 WDP
thanks for any feedback
#339
Moderator
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
iTrader: (6)
I'm almost starting to think I may do this too...but I'm not 100% I'd like to see a concurrence on your simplification of the process too.
About the resonator, there's an intake one you can remove when you have the bumper off and there's an exhaust one you can remove or change out to dynamax or magnaflow. Check it out with search, I have both and am very happy with how mild but aggressive the car sounds.
About the resonator, there's an intake one you can remove when you have the bumper off and there's an exhaust one you can remove or change out to dynamax or magnaflow. Check it out with search, I have both and am very happy with how mild but aggressive the car sounds.
#340
Team Owner
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO (Overland Park, KS)
Posts: 36,545
Received 6,470 Likes
on
5,162 Posts
im gonna try this but lemme get this right.
1. take bumper off
2. take light off
3. bake lights for 200 degrees for 20 minutes
4. take them out and open them immediately
5. take out the yellow n something with epoxy?
6. spray paint the 2 pieces
7. add silicon and make it all flush
8. put it back in the oven
9. add more silicon
10. line up headlights n put bumper back on
tell me if im right or wrong cuz i definately dont want to mess up
also; should i clear my headlights or black them out? i have an o6 WDP
thanks for any feedback
1. take bumper off
2. take light off
3. bake lights for 200 degrees for 20 minutes
4. take them out and open them immediately
5. take out the yellow n something with epoxy?
6. spray paint the 2 pieces
7. add silicon and make it all flush
8. put it back in the oven
9. add more silicon
10. line up headlights n put bumper back on
tell me if im right or wrong cuz i definately dont want to mess up
also; should i clear my headlights or black them out? i have an o6 WDP
thanks for any feedback
Yes, you are right. I just did mine. I added Side Emitting LED's in the front. I didn't have to black out my lights because it's a Type S. But also realize that you'll still have an amber bulb there too-behind where the amber inserts are-at least my Type S had them. The amber pieces in the headlights are just inserts that will come out easily. Here's a picture of my new headlights with the "Audi Style" LED's.
#341
Phmbm12
Yes, you are right. I just did mine. I added Side Emitting LED's in the front. I didn't have to black out my lights because it's a Type S. But also realize that you'll still have an amber bulb there too-behind where the amber inserts are-at least my Type S had them. The amber pieces in the headlights are just inserts that will come out easily. Here's a picture of my new headlights with the "Audi Style" LED's.
#343
I'm in
Thread Starter
im gonna try this but lemme get this right.
1. take bumper off
2. take light off
3. bake lights for 200 degrees for 20 minutes
4. take them out and open em immediately
5. take out the yellow n something with epoxy?
6. spray paint the 2 pieces
7. add silicon and make it all flush
8. put it back in the oven
9. add more silicon
10. line up headlights n put bumper back on
tell me if im right or wrong cuz i definately dont want to mess up
also; should i clear my headlights or black them out? i have an o6 WDP
thanks for any feedback
1. take bumper off
2. take light off
3. bake lights for 200 degrees for 20 minutes
4. take them out and open em immediately
5. take out the yellow n something with epoxy?
6. spray paint the 2 pieces
7. add silicon and make it all flush
8. put it back in the oven
9. add more silicon
10. line up headlights n put bumper back on
tell me if im right or wrong cuz i definately dont want to mess up
also; should i clear my headlights or black them out? i have an o6 WDP
thanks for any feedback
Dang I can't believe I did this over three years ago!
Anyways, from what I remember, WHAT I DID (since many have now done this mod) Once i removed the yellow amber diffuser, i needed to use a dab (very small amount) of epoxy to hold the little chrome accents that you can see over the yellow diffuser. This was merely to hold it in place.
I personally would black out the headlights, thats just my preference. Just think of what theme you're heading with your car: black out, or chrome and contrast...
#344
Rev High; Drive Happy
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Scarborough, Ontario
Age: 34
Posts: 4,076
Received 398 Likes
on
332 Posts
Dang I can't believe I did this over three years ago!
Anyways, from what I remember, WHAT I DID (since many have now done this mod) Once i removed the yellow amber diffuser, i needed to use a dab (very small amount) of epoxy to hold the little chrome accents that you can see over the yellow diffuser. This was merely to hold it in place.
I personally would black out the headlights, thats just my preference. Just think of what theme you're heading with your car: black out, or chrome and contrast...
Anyways, from what I remember, WHAT I DID (since many have now done this mod) Once i removed the yellow amber diffuser, i needed to use a dab (very small amount) of epoxy to hold the little chrome accents that you can see over the yellow diffuser. This was merely to hold it in place.
I personally would black out the headlights, thats just my preference. Just think of what theme you're heading with your car: black out, or chrome and contrast...
#345
Phmbm12
Dang I can't believe I did this over three years ago!
Anyways, from what I remember, WHAT I DID (since many have now done this mod) Once i removed the yellow amber diffuser, i needed to use a dab (very small amount) of epoxy to hold the little chrome accents that you can see over the yellow diffuser. This was merely to hold it in place.
I personally would black out the headlights, thats just my preference. Just think of what theme you're heading with your car: black out, or chrome and contrast...
Anyways, from what I remember, WHAT I DID (since many have now done this mod) Once i removed the yellow amber diffuser, i needed to use a dab (very small amount) of epoxy to hold the little chrome accents that you can see over the yellow diffuser. This was merely to hold it in place.
I personally would black out the headlights, thats just my preference. Just think of what theme you're heading with your car: black out, or chrome and contrast...
#347
Phmbm12
so i did it and it was a disaster. i had to open and close the driver headlight twice cuz i kept forgetting to put stuff in or i messed up with fingerprints. then the chrome rubbed off for some damn reason and the paint took way too long to dry. i got silicon all over my body and it wont come off and the headlights arent even lined up. its taken over 9 hours to do it right and it didnt even turn out too good.... if you do this; dont do it alone.
#349
Phmbm12
even though i did a POOR half ass job. they turned out pretty good.
some tips i have is dont rush it.
if ur blacking out ur lights, spray LIGHT coats and let it dry properly.
make sure you do the best you can to make it flush so it doesnt fog up
GET GLOVES
silicon is pretty messy if you have a tube you squeeze by hand
dont get fingerprints inside the lens
and MAKE SURE you put all the pieces back together lol
[i forgot to put the little silver disk thing back in so i had to open it back up and i wasnt too happy about that]
its only hard if you make it hard..
some tips i have is dont rush it.
if ur blacking out ur lights, spray LIGHT coats and let it dry properly.
make sure you do the best you can to make it flush so it doesnt fog up
GET GLOVES
silicon is pretty messy if you have a tube you squeeze by hand
dont get fingerprints inside the lens
and MAKE SURE you put all the pieces back together lol
[i forgot to put the little silver disk thing back in so i had to open it back up and i wasnt too happy about that]
its only hard if you make it hard..
#351
Moderator
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
Chapter Leader (South Florida Region)
iTrader: (6)
Nicely done...I'm guessing getting the caulking gun silicone would be easier to apply?
Looks great.
Has anyone thought to use VHT night shades to darken up the amber diffuser rather than removing it altogether. I kinda like the orange but I'd rather if it were darker. I am getting close to pulling the trigger on doing this...I just want to make sure I only have to do it once. So I am deciding on LED's or Angel Eyes ZKW lense...what to black out...etc.
Looks great.
Has anyone thought to use VHT night shades to darken up the amber diffuser rather than removing it altogether. I kinda like the orange but I'd rather if it were darker. I am getting close to pulling the trigger on doing this...I just want to make sure I only have to do it once. So I am deciding on LED's or Angel Eyes ZKW lense...what to black out...etc.
#352
Phmbm12
Nicely done...I'm guessing getting the caulking gun silicone would be easier to apply?
Looks great.
Has anyone thought to use VHT night shades to darken up the amber diffuser rather than removing it altogether. I kinda like the orange but I'd rather if it were darker. I am getting close to pulling the trigger on doing this...I just want to make sure I only have to do it once. So I am deciding on LED's or Angel Eyes ZKW lense...what to black out...etc.
Looks great.
Has anyone thought to use VHT night shades to darken up the amber diffuser rather than removing it altogether. I kinda like the orange but I'd rather if it were darker. I am getting close to pulling the trigger on doing this...I just want to make sure I only have to do it once. So I am deciding on LED's or Angel Eyes ZKW lense...what to black out...etc.
#353
you guys should use Switch back LEDs, I had them on my 05' TL and they where 6000k and when the signal came on they would be yellow, makes a sweet look. fogs should be yellow.
#354
Team Owner
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO (Overland Park, KS)
Posts: 36,545
Received 6,470 Likes
on
5,162 Posts
#355
Phmbm12
i ordered my switchback LED turns two days ago. i think when i get it, imma keep the hyper flash turn signals lol. it makes me stand out over everyone else here