Wazzup AZ! Alright so i already blacked out the lights and its been sometime since that was done. But now I see some guys didn't paint the back reflector mirror-ish piece completely black (turn signal area). I so want to re-do mine and make it look like that. I would go out and buy new headlight housings but hey, I don't have 850 bucks for that and for just one piece also.
is there anything i could use to remove the black paint and regain that mirror finish?
maybe a light acetone? (like for nail polish removing)
thanks in advance. open for ideas

 

Acetone might work. Especially if the Paint was an Enamel. I'd guess it will still take some work to re-wet.disolve the paint.

You'd want to test it somehow before actually taking the headlight apart.

You'll aslo want to have a way to clean/polish the peice once the paint is removed.

 

Hmmm interesting. thanks so much for the info. i will have to check on the type of paint it is. all iknow off the top of my head is that it is high temp paint. any other suggestions?

any info about what i could possibly use to clean/polish?

 

If you decide to use Acetone, once the paint is off, I'd use IsoPropyl Alcohol. It'll remove the Acetone residue and evaporate pretty clean. Then just a polishing cloth of some sort.

Other solvents might remove the paint (Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) or 50/50 Ethyl Acetate/IPA), but they're more aggressive and I'd worry about them removing the metal layer on the part.

If the part is SOLID metal (just polished), you shouldn't have any trouble with solvents. Getting the paint off would be the hard part.

Whatever you decide, find a way to test a small area or similar part to make sure you can get the paint off with out damaging the polished surface.

 

I'm worried about damagin the polished surface because it's plastic, although what bearcat stated seems to be the best method

 

Be VERY, VERY careful using acetone if it is indeed plastic. Acetone will dissolve or pit most types of plastic. BTW, you can make your own plastic using a styrofoam cup and a few teaspoons of acetone. The cup will dissolve into the acetone and turn into a kind of putty. Mold it into a shape of your choosing and within 24-48 hours it will harden.

 

Hey dude.
Hang in there. I got your PM, been busy.

I THINK I have a good set of turn signal lenses I could sell you. I went through 5-6 headlights trying to get all good parts. I'll check tonight.

 

The chrome reflector part will come right off with the paint. I got some rubbing alcohol on the chrome line that in between the orange reflectors and it began rubbing off. Your best bet is to replace the reflector or ghetto rig it and place some aluminum foil in there.

 

He's right. That reflective coating on the plastic is thinner and susceptible to getting rubbed off easily. I attempted painting my reflectors black chrome when I tried to clear my lights but it looked messed up. I immediately took a clean cloth while it was wet and it wiped perfectly right off.

Later on another piece, I tried to rub off some overspray but the paint was dried. It was that same chrome line draztic was talking about. I didn't have paint thinner so I used isopropyl alcohol lightly and the chrome finish underneath came right off! Ha we did the same stupid mistake. In desperation I ended up painting it in gunmetal and it doesn't look half bad now.

Don't mess too much with the chrome unless the paint is still wet. So I'd say go for a spare set someone has. There may be people with a set that is cracked outside but the reflector inside is still intact.

 

yo Teddy, do u know if that piece that you want to clear out is removable? I got a spare headlight which are broken (the lense and housing part). I do not need them, I only plan on taking the projectors out and tossing the away the headlight. So if u can find out, lmk. Or i will try to find out next week or so if u can remove it. If u can, i'll gladly give them to u so u can just sawp the piece

 

WOW! thanks a bunch guys. good ideas and great responses, i cant tell you how much i appreciate all the info. so i will definitely no even think about touching the painted pieces...

 

Hey no worries brotha man, I thought maybe i pissed you off with asking questions lol. Im going to see if ib18c1 will be able to help out since he is local to me. But let me know if you have the pieces, i might still pick them up from you.
thanks!




Big T! thanks for chiming in on this one. Yea let me know if you have the pieces. I am pretty sure they come right out if you pop the housing open which i dont mind doing. Ill throw you down some cash or beers or something for them lol. get back to me when you can. is the outside casing ok? ill take the housing minus what you need if thats cool?