Pseudo DIY: Blacked Out Corners (detailed pics)
04-30-2007, 06:23 PM
#1
Pseudo DIY: Blacked Out Corners (detailed pics)
I met up with Blackura--who lives near me--and he agreed to black out my headlights for a good deal. He was very persistent and the project quickly became a success. Thanks bro 
As we all know, bumper must come off.
Afterwards, out comes the headlight housing.
Here is where I want to show you guys different pictures other than the other blacked out corner DIYs. The chrome lining will loosen and must be re-secured via epoxy. It's also very tricky pulling it apart but allon seemed to have no problem with it. This is what it's supposed to look like after the frame is painted black with engine enamel with 3 coats. I used only 3 coats as opposed to 4 or 5 so that it doesn't reduce reflection regarding the HID output. Maybe even leaving a couple of stock chrome specks here and there will help reflection--pure physics.
Allon chose to paint the entire frame and chrome ring black which came out nicely too, which is the first of pictures (his whip). I chose to leave the ring chrome.
Here's a test of the frame and the plastic cover:
Then you assemble the other chrome part of the housing where there's a circular hole for the turn signals. Combine these two parts (the frame that holds the chrome ring and the housing) and you get this:
Now just put the plastic cover over this entire piece and squeeze as hard as you can, doing preliminary securing, before the oven makes it nice and hot and soft so you can tighten the "flaps" and squeeze in more. It should turn out like this:
[IMG]//img404.imageshack.us/img404/2249/img3249800cv2.jpg[/IMG]
Now just do the other side the exact same way and you end up with this bumperless:
Here's the completed project:
Now, I bought chrome bulbs that are amber when lit from silverbulbs.com. Works great and the amber really is visible during the day/night and night time. You can't even notice the difference at night Yes, those turn signals are black !
As you can see from the lighting of each successive picture, this is a fairly long project and requires patience. Props again to Allon who made all this possible.
More daytime pics to come once the weather lets.
As we all know, bumper must come off.
Afterwards, out comes the headlight housing.
Here is where I want to show you guys different pictures other than the other blacked out corner DIYs. The chrome lining will loosen and must be re-secured via epoxy. It's also very tricky pulling it apart but allon seemed to have no problem with it. This is what it's supposed to look like after the frame is painted black with engine enamel with 3 coats. I used only 3 coats as opposed to 4 or 5 so that it doesn't reduce reflection regarding the HID output. Maybe even leaving a couple of stock chrome specks here and there will help reflection--pure physics.
Allon chose to paint the entire frame and chrome ring black which came out nicely too, which is the first of pictures (his whip). I chose to leave the ring chrome.
Here's a test of the frame and the plastic cover:
Then you assemble the other chrome part of the housing where there's a circular hole for the turn signals. Combine these two parts (the frame that holds the chrome ring and the housing) and you get this:
Now just put the plastic cover over this entire piece and squeeze as hard as you can, doing preliminary securing, before the oven makes it nice and hot and soft so you can tighten the "flaps" and squeeze in more. It should turn out like this:
[IMG]//img404.imageshack.us/img404/2249/img3249800cv2.jpg[/IMG]
Now just do the other side the exact same way and you end up with this bumperless:
Here's the completed project:
Now, I bought chrome bulbs that are amber when lit from silverbulbs.com. Works great and the amber really is visible during the day/night and night time. You can't even notice the difference at night
Yes, those turn signals are black !As you can see from the lighting of each successive picture, this is a fairly long project and requires patience. Props again to Allon who made all this possible.
More daytime pics to come once the weather lets.
04-30-2007, 09:33 PM
#6
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
blackura i am thinking about this on my TL but i want to keep the orange in but black out what he has. Let me know.
Looks hot btw!
Looks hot btw!
04-30-2007, 09:34 PM
#7
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
Forgot, edit you plate in another pic which you forgot to do.
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04-30-2007, 09:36 PM
#8
Godfather of Chrome
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To those of you who think that you are normally mechanically inclined, but then get stuck on the whole throwing-your-headlights-in-the-oven thing: DON'T! It's not as hard as it looks. If you're confident in your skills, then this is cake. I've done a number of projects over the course of my life, and when I just mustered up the courage and actually did it, this was nothing special.
bforbrian: nice job. That looks awesome! Your turn signals make me want to toss my PIAA hyper whites and go with those...although I love the look of the all white at night.
bforbrian: nice job. That looks awesome! Your turn signals make me want to toss my PIAA hyper whites and go with those...although I love the look of the all white at night.
04-30-2007, 10:34 PM
#10
2006 TL
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ur not my [fraternal] twin anymore 
- it looks very nice, though... I'd do this if my car wasn't a lease - so I just added tint to the headlight - I like it better (minus the light ouput... ugh lol)
i move out of ny in 9 days...
... all the way down i-95 lol... sry - college student - almost done with finals - a bit excited! 
- it looks very nice, though... I'd do this if my car wasn't a lease - so I just added tint to the headlight - I like it better (minus the light ouput... ugh lol) i move out of ny in 9 days...
... all the way down i-95 lol... sry - college student - almost done with finals - a bit excited!
04-30-2007, 11:27 PM
#11
yea the project is definitely not a task that requires much special skills. It is really about patience and doing it systematically. it takes a solid 10 - 12 hours to black them out, from bumper removal to completion. Clearing the lights is probably much easier, since there is no time wasted in painting.. drying...painting...drying...
the lights are looking sick dude. i actually think they came out better then mine. those chrome/amber bulbs are perfect match. when the lights are off, the chrome just looks sick. i think i wanna change mine.
the lights are looking sick dude. i actually think they came out better then mine. those chrome/amber bulbs are perfect match. when the lights are off, the chrome just looks sick. i think i wanna change mine.
05-01-2007, 03:02 AM
#12
Safety Car
Very nice! Looks like you guys did a great job.
I've had my silverbulbs in for a while now. They work and look great. Highly recommended.
I'm tempted to move this thread out to the main forum so people can see your work.
I've had my silverbulbs in for a while now. They work and look great. Highly recommended.
I'm tempted to move this thread out to the main forum so people can see your work.
05-01-2007, 07:40 AM
#13
~Da Nocturnal Cheetah~
Originally Posted by BLACKURA_NY
yea the project is definitely not a task that requires much special skills. It is really about patience and doing it systematically. it takes a solid 10 - 12 hours to black them out, from bumper removal to completion. Clearing the lights is probably much easier, since there is no time wasted in painting.. drying...painting...drying...
the lights are looking sick dude. i actually think they came out better then mine. those chrome/amber bulbs are perfect match. when the lights are off, the chrome just looks sick. i think i wanna change mine.
the lights are looking sick dude. i actually think they came out better then mine. those chrome/amber bulbs are perfect match. when the lights are off, the chrome just looks sick. i think i wanna change mine.
05-01-2007, 10:31 AM
#14
I feel like the most tedious process was the removal of the bumper--which included working under it for quite some time--and taking out the headlights. Remembering all the bolts seemed like a pain in the ass but allon seemed to have memorized where everything went. In honesty I wouldn't have attempted this myself in retrospect, speaking from hindsight bias. But i guess in the big picture, this project wasn't as hard as it looked.. it just takes time (11+ hrs) and patience.. start early too ! good weather is recommended.
05-01-2007, 10:45 AM
#16
Godfather of Chrome
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I think it took me about 10 minutes to get the bumper off the second time I did it. It took about probably 30 the first time, though, as I was kinda sketch about how to go about removing or loosening some of the tabs.
I can second your thoughts on starting early and waiting for good weather, though!
I can second your thoughts on starting early and waiting for good weather, though!
05-01-2007, 10:46 AM
#17
Godfather of Chrome
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Originally Posted by triton3k
looking real good.
Im still debating on whether or not I wanna do this.
Im still debating on whether or not I wanna do this.
05-01-2007, 12:19 PM
#18
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I was nervous about doing this as well. But I did it this past weekend and very happy that I did. Just take your time and follow the DIY found here on the forums. Like everyone has said above me it just takes time and patience. It took me about 11 hours to do, but in the course (time in between the lights cooling down, paint drying, and food breaks) I was watching the NFL draft, starting my lower grill mod, and helping a friend black out the headlights on his GF's celica.
05-02-2007, 11:49 AM
#26
now with four rings
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very nice job...
between taking off the bumper and where you say 'afterwards, out comes the headlight housing', can you go into a little more detail...? ...or maybe show some pics? because i get my bumper off and most screws for the headlight housing, but there's this one that looks like it requires a 90 degree angle screwdriver....that's where i stopped and put everything back (for the 3rd time)...
between taking off the bumper and where you say 'afterwards, out comes the headlight housing', can you go into a little more detail...? ...or maybe show some pics? because i get my bumper off and most screws for the headlight housing, but there's this one that looks like it requires a 90 degree angle screwdriver....that's where i stopped and put everything back (for the 3rd time)...
05-02-2007, 11:55 AM
#27
Godfather of Chrome
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Originally Posted by rimz
very nice job...
between taking off the bumper and where you say 'afterwards, out comes the headlight housing', can you go into a little more detail...? ...or maybe show some pics? because i get my bumper off and most screws for the headlight housing, but there's this one that looks like it requires a 90 degree angle screwdriver....that's where i stopped and put everything back (for the 3rd time)...
between taking off the bumper and where you say 'afterwards, out comes the headlight housing', can you go into a little more detail...? ...or maybe show some pics? because i get my bumper off and most screws for the headlight housing, but there's this one that looks like it requires a 90 degree angle screwdriver....that's where i stopped and put everything back (for the 3rd time)...
05-02-2007, 01:44 PM
#28
now with four rings
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Originally Posted by brettallica
I have a feeling you're talking about the screws for the ignitor mount. Are the screws you're referring to on the underside of the headlight housing? If so, that's definitely them.
why can't things be as easy as photochopping or making DVD-A discs...?
05-02-2007, 03:37 PM
#29
I remember there being 5 visible (bolts i think?) and in the wheel well you need an extension of some sort to remove the two bolts all the way in, perpendicular to the car. These two bolts are located right behind the windshield wiper fluid. Same on the other side.
05-02-2007, 09:37 PM
#32
now with four rings
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cool...thanks for the extra tips...yeah, i knew they were all 10mm...i'll have to double check and see if i've got a socket extender...maybe i'll give clearing my lights a 4th try one of these days...
05-08-2007, 08:15 PM
#33
Let's Go Pens
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So when can I schedule an appointment to have you clear out my headlights? I just know i'll F*** something up and it will end up costing me a fortune, lol. BTW love the personalized license plate... After seeing that I was thinking about getting the plates BLKURA (Va only allows only 7 letters) but can't steal another man's concept! Sweet Ride though really wish I had the balls to pull this project off... Maybe later this summer!
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