DIY: how to make your headlights black housing with 20 bucks...

Gauge · 04-12-2012, 02:41 PM

I'm shooting for this, what do you all think.

yellogixxer · 04-14-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauge

I'm shooting for this, what do you all think.

I like!

Zrider79 · 06-11-2012, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellogixxer

I like!

It looks like carbon fiber in the corner section with paint outline.

chknhawk · 06-21-2012, 10:17 AM

HOW TO: Bake and Paint Headlights (FULL DIY!) - YouTube

Great DIY guys!!! I also found this video that talks about baking and it also says 250 Degrees for 8-10 min, no tools just hands. Thought this might help some people also. I think this is a Mazda 3 he is doing the mod to.

~J~

simota1 · 04-12-2012, 02:42 PM

looks great bro ^^^^

Gauge · 04-12-2012, 06:48 PM

Some tips for people reading this.

You don't need a screw driver, and in fact using one may bend the black plastic the clear plastic is attached to. If you must use a flat object, consider using a paint scraper or something. It's not necessary to use any tool though. I did my second one with nothing but my heat gun.

If you start at the very top of the head light, where the long plastic piece juts out for bolting down. You can heat that part up with your gun and eventually pop the top off, which breaks the seal. From there you gradually heat both sides and just sort of peel the clear part off slowly. This protects the shape of the bottom piece it's attached to and doesn't damage your headlights at all. Hope this helps someone.

yellogixxer · 04-14-2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauge

Some tips for people reading this.

You don't need a screw driver, and in fact using one may bend the black plastic the clear plastic is attached to. If you must use a flat object, consider using a paint scraper or something. It's not necessary to use any tool though. I did my second one with nothing but my heat gun.

If you start at the very top of the head light, where the long plastic piece juts out for bolting down. You can heat that part up with your gun and eventually pop the top off, which breaks the seal. From there you gradually heat both sides and just sort of peel the clear part off slowly. This protects the shape of the bottom piece it's attached to and doesn't damage your headlights at all. Hope this helps someone.

No tools, heat and hands only!!

Gauge · 04-22-2012, 04:06 PM

Now that we've done this, wife said she would do it for forum members for a price, you pay shipping of course. If anyone isn't real handy but doesn't want to pay out the wazooh for painted headlights.

We will use krylon paint (any color you want, my ace hardware has a ton of them), and the same sealant as the OP. Turn around time might be 7-10 days upon receiving. Also we will use my no tool, heat gun method, so you will get your lights back in the same condition you got them.

PM me if interested.

snake1212 · 05-02-2012, 09:17 AM

Last week I decided to try this. They look great however I now have a problem. Last night a big rain storm came through and I noticed that there is some moisture in the housing and my HID bulb will not ignite. I am hoping it is just a bulb and not a ballast. My next day off I am going to try to reseal the lamp and replace the bulb.

dmhenderson · 08-08-2012, 07:01 PM

A bunch of us mid-atlantic people are going to get together and do this all at once. Should result in some amazing pictures.

b1adesofcha0s · 08-09-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmhenderson

A bunch of us mid-atlantic people are going to get together and do this all at once. Should result in some amazing pictures.

Yeah it should be fun. How many cans of paint does it take to do a set? I'm thinking 1 or 2 should be enough.

Gauge · 08-09-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

Yeah it should be fun. How many cans of paint does it take to do a set? I'm thinking 1 or 2 should be enough.

I used less than one and I did a ton of coats on both. Still need to open them back up and finish the trimmings.

Also, I still recommend not using any tools but your heating source. Pull it off. If you have to use a flat object, use a long flat object, much longer than a screwdriver. Like a paint scraper, and be VERY gentle using it. When the black plastic heats up it is very formable. You can deform it quite easily. If you bend it, don't worry it sits under the hood and the fenders, you don't see the part that can deform, but if you're like me, you want it to be perfect.

b1adesofcha0s · 08-09-2012, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauge

I used less than one and I did a ton of coats on both. Still need to open them back up and finish the trimmings.

Also, I still recommend not using any tools but your heating source. Pull it off. If you have to use a flat object, use a long flat object, much longer than a screwdriver. Like a paint scraper, and be VERY gentle using it. When the black plastic heats up it is very formable. You can deform it quite easily.

Thanks!

Jasonle · 08-09-2012, 07:07 PM

Afraid doing it myself. I wish I had some help here why can't you guys live closer

eastwest2300 · 08-11-2012, 02:14 AM

Thats where that heat gun comes into play, you can heat certain areas directly, instead of baking the entire headlight.

04-12-2012, 02:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gauge Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Madison WI Posts: 867 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo PW Rep Power: 16	I'm shooting for this, what do you all think. __________________ I am a demon bolt slayer. Last edited by Gauge; 04-12-2012 at 03:30 PM.

06-21-2012, 10:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
chknhawk Track Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Kentucky Posts: 541 Drives: Like a batouttahell! Rep Power: 16	HOW TO: Bake and Paint Headlights (FULL DIY!) - YouTube Great DIY guys!!! I also found this video that talks about baking and it also says 250 Degrees for 8-10 min, no tools just hands. Thought this might help some people also. I think this is a Mazda 3 he is doing the mod to. ~J~ __________________ \| AEM \| INVIDIA \| GREDDY \| STANCE \| NISMO \| SETRAB \| STOPTECH \| HAWK \| TOYO \| HANKOOK \| BRIDE (wishlist) \|

04-12-2012, 02:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
simota1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dededo, Guam Posts: 6,642 Drives: solid red 370z 6mt Rep Power: 407	looks great bro ^^^^ __________________ *TOP SECRET/POWERHOUSE AMUSE/ARC/DAYTONA RACING/VARIS/MINES/GANADOR/J-LINE/WORK EMOTION CR KAI/GT SPEC/CARBON SIGNAL/ZOOM ENGINEERING/ CARBON FIBER ELEMENT/STILLEN/*

04-12-2012, 06:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Gauge Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Madison WI Posts: 867 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo PW Rep Power: 16	Some tips for people reading this. You don't need a screw driver, and in fact using one may bend the black plastic the clear plastic is attached to. If you must use a flat object, consider using a paint scraper or something. It's not necessary to use any tool though. I did my second one with nothing but my heat gun. If you start at the very top of the head light, where the long plastic piece juts out for bolting down. You can heat that part up with your gun and eventually pop the top off, which breaks the seal. From there you gradually heat both sides and just sort of peel the clear part off slowly. This protects the shape of the bottom piece it's attached to and doesn't damage your headlights at all. Hope this helps someone. __________________ I am a demon bolt slayer. Last edited by Gauge; 04-13-2012 at 11:04 AM.

04-22-2012, 04:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Gauge Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Madison WI Posts: 867 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo PW Rep Power: 16	Now that we've done this, wife said she would do it for forum members for a price, you pay shipping of course. If anyone isn't real handy but doesn't want to pay out the wazooh for painted headlights. We will use krylon paint (any color you want, my ace hardware has a ton of them), and the same sealant as the OP. Turn around time might be 7-10 days upon receiving. Also we will use my no tool, heat gun method, so you will get your lights back in the same condition you got them. PM me if interested. __________________ I am a demon bolt slayer.

05-02-2012, 09:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
snake1212 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 32 Drives: 12 370Z GM M6 Rep Power: 16	Last week I decided to try this. They look great however I now have a problem. Last night a big rain storm came through and I noticed that there is some moisture in the housing and my HID bulb will not ignite. I am hoping it is just a bulb and not a ballast. My next day off I am going to try to reseal the lamp and replace the bulb.

08-08-2012, 07:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 28	A bunch of us mid-atlantic people are going to get together and do this all at once. Should result in some amazing pictures. __________________

08-09-2012, 07:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jasonle A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 3,509 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 27	Afraid doing it myself. I wish I had some help here why can't you guys live closer __________________ 2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast

08-11-2012, 02:14 AM	#15 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 91,035 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684553	Thats where that heat gun comes into play, you can heat certain areas directly, instead of baking the entire headlight. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

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