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

Gauge

Why not just buy a heat gun... I'm a complete noob at this stuff and it was incredibly easy with a heat gun.

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dmhenderson

They're like $15 too. Requires a bit more patience but if I had to do it over again, this is probably what I'd do.

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Dallaz

Success!!
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1359493164.107808.jpg

We got it the second go around, up'd the temperature to 250 degrees for an
Initial 10 minutes, no dice. So we went in for another 3 minutes (at 250 still) no issues melting, whatsoever, and we finally got it apart after 3 minutes of pulling and wiggling a flathead around to help pry. But I still used a baking tray and instead of just getting a little water on it, we soaked it in cold water, and just wrang it out really good.....

Bullet proof idea. It was also folded in half so double the heat blocking power.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1359493326.474099.jpg

After it was all said and done, the cloth on the tray still felt cool to the touch, nothing to worry about melting at 250 degrees if you go lens up.

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Dallaz

We had one as backup if the oven didnt work. It's almost more stressful though. We did try and use it for a while, but your barely getting anywhere, and as you go it's all messy so IMO, just get it all heated to the proper temps, and get it apart as quickly as possible because that stuff (silicone) cools fast and it's really stringy and gets all over.ImageUploadedByTapatalk1359493733.573817.jpg

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AeroJacket Lip Kit | GTR switch | NISMO S-Knob | Blacked-Out-EVERYTHING| 5% Tint | Carbon Fangs/Upper Trim | VOSSEN CV3's | Painted Headlights | CF Diffuser

Dallaz

I'm going to video the next one, start to finish, stripping the light, to getting it apart etc. and post it up here. I'm going to do one at a time and probably won't get them done for a few days. Don't have much time off

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AeroJacket Lip Kit | GTR switch | NISMO S-Knob | Blacked-Out-EVERYTHING| 5% Tint | Carbon Fangs/Upper Trim | VOSSEN CV3's | Painted Headlights | CF Diffuser

obito

it aint fun to do at all xD I took almost 2 days to finish it up xD

1slow370

it's not silicone because silicone melts north of 400 depending on what stuff it is. it's butylene rubber sealant i posted the nissan p/n in this thread a ways back if you reseal with silicone you will never get them back apart.

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Dallaz

Thanks for clarifying, I haven't really know what to call it except goop lol

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AeroJacket Lip Kit | GTR switch | NISMO S-Knob | Blacked-Out-EVERYTHING| 5% Tint | Carbon Fangs/Upper Trim | VOSSEN CV3's | Painted Headlights | CF Diffuser

ZeeJay

Great write up simota! All your DIYs are very thorough and helpful.

Does anyone know what temp the heat gun should be set to? There were 2 at the Lowes by me and I bought one with a big range of 150-950, I don't want to melt the inside while I'm trying to pry them open. Also how do I change out the reflector strip? I'm planning on giving it a blue hue to match my shrouds if that's possible.

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King_Ch1cas

I failed so bad at this after I took the headlights out I started to heat them up. What I didn't realize is that I didn't hear it up enough and was just warping the plastic. I proceeded to heat it up too much and the spurring plastic started melting everywhere. Don't. Over. Heat. The. Plastic. learn from me! but awesome turtorial! My stupid butt messed up and quit.

sportsman2003

People who have done this mod using spray paint how are your headlights holding up after time? Is the paint fading out at all?