Removing Light Overlays

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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 02:54 PM
  #1  
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Removing Light Overlays

Need to remove the headlight overlays/tint from my headlights. They are the Blue Batmobile overlays.

How do you do it?

Any tips or tricks?


TIA.


.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 03:12 PM
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Buddy, get them wet again with a soap and water mix and see if they'll peel off. By the way, why are you taking them off?....for the upcoming show?
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 04:26 PM
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From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
Originally Posted by Steven Bell
Buddy, get them wet again with a soap and water mix and see if they'll peel off. By the way, why are you taking them off?....for the upcoming show?

Steven, that's what I was thinking, but wanted to get some AZ confirmaiton.

Wonder if anyone has actually done it and if so, how? Any trouble or tricks?


I am clearing, then blacking out the Headlights tomorrow morning. Don't need overlays no more.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 04:28 PM
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heat with a hairdrier to loosen the glue, then once you start peeling up spray soapy water (car wash soap) on the underside to help the rest of it peel off. Then clean up with car-wash soap. try not to use any abrasives otherwise the headlights will yellow faster later on. You can use fine clay lightly as well.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 04:36 PM
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Thanks aj. I'll give it a try with the hair dryer.

I've got some detailing clay if needed to clean up.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 04:54 PM
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If you have access to one of those little hand-held steam cleaners, that will make the overlays very easy to peel off. Work a corner off, then steadily pull the overlay off while spraying steam on the glued side. I've never had to use this method but I've seen guys peel off window tint with ease doing this.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 07:03 PM
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yea apply some heat, should be the same method as removing window tint.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Bearcat94
Steven, that's what I was thinking, but wanted to get some AZ confirmaiton.

Wonder if anyone has actually done it and if so, how? Any trouble or tricks?


I am clearing, then blacking out the Headlights tomorrow morning. Don't need overlays no more.
JP...that's GREAT. Please take some pictures and let me/us know how it goes. Are you doing it by yourself???
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 08:46 PM
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From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
Originally Posted by Steven Bell
... Please take some pictures and let me/us know how it goes. ...
Will do.



Originally Posted by Steven Bell
.... Are you doing it by yourself???


No F'kg way. I'm too chickenshit to put my headlights in the oven then start fooling around with 'em. I enlisted the help of a couple of local experts - TrevorT and WRXTransformed.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 08:51 PM
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^ Make sure you don't put the hairdryer on the headlights for too long.

I did that and I got a bunch of mini-cracks on my headlights.

I had my overlays on for so long, I had to have a lot of heat .


Good luck.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 09:08 PM
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Right on Jim!



What time are you guys starting the process?

Let me know if you need some assistance.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 09:11 PM
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JP...it sounds like you'll have a household full of help tomorrow. I'm sure they'll turn out great! Shoot some pics of you and the guys doing this mod. Then bring everyone to KC and let's do my headlights. I want to take out the amber too and add the Audi style lights to the original headlights.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 09:19 PM
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From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
Originally Posted by ACCURATEin
Right on Jim!



What time are you guys starting the process?

Let me know if you need some assistance.
~10:30 AM.

You outta come over to chill-dog's ~mid-day tomorrow. I'm gonna stop by when I'm done with the HL's and help him with his bumper removal and re-install and maybe do my rotors and brake fluid flush while I'm there.

I'll call you (since your PM box is full. )

.
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Old Feb 28, 2009 | 07:37 AM
  #14  
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From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
Simple. Easier than I expected.

Just like the guys said - a little heat from the hair dryer and some warm/hot soapy water.

Just enough heat to start the film peeling and keep it going. Lubricate as you pull with the warm soapy water.

No problems.

.
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