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

xweaponx · 01-29-2012, 08:05 PM

I'm having some problems...
bumpers off, headlights off.
I heated the seal and pried it off on one which took FOREVER.
the plastic seems a little messed up :/ but im sure that I can heat it to form it back to how its supposed to be.
When I was separating the lens from the plastic housing, the outside of the headlight got scraped on the clear part

i should be able to get that buffed out right?
For the next headlight I want to use the oven method but I dont know what all I have to take out before I put it in there.
Can anyone help? I couldnt figure out much without pictures on this one.
I really dont want to have to use the heat gun again. Its a PITA.

xweaponx · 01-31-2012, 02:55 PM

Bump?

Flushnismo · 01-31-2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xweaponx

I'm having some problems...
bumpers off, headlights off.
I heated the seal and pried it off on one which took FOREVER.
the plastic seems a little messed up :/ but im sure that I can heat it to form it back to how its supposed to be.
When I was separating the lens from the plastic housing, the outside of the headlight got scraped on the clear part

i should be able to get that buffed out right?
For the next headlight I want to use the oven method but I dont know what all I have to take out before I put it in there.
Can anyone help? I couldnt figure out much without pictures on this one.
I really dont want to have to use the heat gun again. Its a PITA.

If it's on the outside it should buff out.
All you have to take out to put it in the oven is the bulb and remove all the wires you can take off too.

simota1 · 01-31-2012, 04:34 PM

check out caravanshakas diy he uses the oven method....

N0SL3N · 02-01-2012, 09:40 PM

Does anyone know what sealant can be used that can also be re-opened?

I got some of the ultrablack but then read that it cannot be reopened once sealed, and I would like something less permanent. I know that I could try and use the existing sealant but I don't want to risk any leaks.

Ni55anPat · 02-12-2012, 07:08 PM

What did u guys do with the huge orange reflector? Paint over it ?

MJB · 02-12-2012, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ni55anPat

What did u guys do with the huge orange reflector? Paint over it ?

I think some people paint it... I left mine out.

Flushnismo · 02-12-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ni55anPat

What did u guys do with the huge orange reflector? Paint over it ?

I tinted mine with vht nightshades paint. Looks a lot better IMO

simota1 · 02-12-2012, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flushnismo

I tinted mine with vht nightshades paint. Looks a lot better IMO

X2

yellogixxer · 02-23-2012, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ni55anPat

What did u guys do with the huge orange reflector? Paint over it ?

I covered mine with 3M Carbon Fiber Di Noc, along with a couple other accents, including the "landing strip". Looks bad-*** IMO.

simota1 · 02-23-2012, 03:00 PM

badass bro great idea

Dark Sarcasm · 03-19-2012, 07:25 PM

For those that have painted their lights - Did you use a primer on the housing? I plan on painting the housing Gun Metallic to match. If I use a primer do I have to sand it before applying the Gun Metallic coat?

yellogixxer · 03-20-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Sarcasm

For those that have painted their lights - Did you use a primer on the housing? I plan on painting the housing Gun Metallic to match. If I use a primer do I have to sand it before applying the Gun Metallic coat?

I didn't use a primer, but you definitely have to sand down the plastic "chrome", otherwise the paint will not stick. Use a Scotch-Brite or similar pad, as opposed to sandpaper, so as not to sand down any of the detail in the plastic.

leeyeegue · 03-27-2012, 10:37 PM

Hey Simota, nice write up, I just did mine today. I'm having second thoughts... Since you said you used Krylon Fusion and you didn't prep the chrome, I didnt sand it or anything either. Paint seemed to stick no problem, but over time will it? Have yours chipped off or anything?

Ill · 04-05-2012, 02:57 PM

I am attempting this today, first time baking a headlight for any of the cars I have owned, only problem is I cannot get the HID ballast and wires. All of the others wires and bulbs have been removes no problem.

Would I be able to bake in the oven at 225 for about 13 minutes? I have tried using a heat gun but everywhere I read seems to agree the oven is faster and easier as well as giving you more control.

-Ill

01-31-2012, 04:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
simota1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dededo, Guam Posts: 6,642 Drives: solid red 370z 6mt Rep Power: 407	check out caravanshakas diy he uses the oven method.... __________________ *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/*

02-01-2012, 09:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
N0SL3N Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 376 Drives: 2009 PG 370z 6MT Rep Power: 36	Does anyone know what sealant can be used that can also be re-opened? I got some of the ultrablack but then read that it cannot be reopened once sealed, and I would like something less permanent. I know that I could try and use the existing sealant but I don't want to risk any leaks. __________________ \| Akuma \| Motordyne \| Z1 \| NST \| CNT \| Stillen \| Avant Garde \| RJM \| Performix \| Tint \| LED \| GTR \| Nissan \|

02-23-2012, 03:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
simota1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dededo, Guam Posts: 6,642 Drives: solid red 370z 6mt Rep Power: 407	badass bro great idea __________________ *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/*

03-19-2012, 07:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
Dark Sarcasm Track Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Katy Texas Posts: 552 Drives: 11 CTS-V Coupe Rep Power: 17	For those that have painted their lights - Did you use a primer on the housing? I plan on painting the housing Gun Metallic to match. If I use a primer do I have to sand it before applying the Gun Metallic coat? __________________ wax

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01-29-2012, 08:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
xweaponx Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: North Carolina Age: 35 Posts: 100 Drives: 2011 370Z Rep Power: 15	I'm having some problems... bumpers off, headlights off. I heated the seal and pried it off on one which took FOREVER. the plastic seems a little messed up :/ but im sure that I can heat it to form it back to how its supposed to be. When I was separating the lens from the plastic housing, the outside of the headlight got scraped on the clear part i should be able to get that buffed out right? For the next headlight I want to use the oven method but I dont know what all I have to take out before I put it in there. Can anyone help? I couldnt figure out much without pictures on this one. I really dont want to have to use the heat gun again. Its a PITA.

01-31-2012, 02:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
xweaponx Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: North Carolina Age: 35 Posts: 100 Drives: 2011 370Z Rep Power: 15	Bump?

02-12-2012, 07:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ni55anPat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,831 Drives: Zed Rep Power: 20	What did u guys do with the huge orange reflector? Paint over it ?

03-27-2012, 10:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
leeyeegue Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 230 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 16	Hey Simota, nice write up, I just did mine today. I'm having second thoughts... Since you said you used Krylon Fusion and you didn't prep the chrome, I didnt sand it or anything either. Paint seemed to stick no problem, but over time will it? Have yours chipped off or anything?

04-05-2012, 02:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
Ill Base Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bellevue Posts: 177 Drives: 09 370z Base 6MT Rep Power: 15	I am attempting this today, first time baking a headlight for any of the cars I have owned, only problem is I cannot get the HID ballast and wires. All of the others wires and bulbs have been removes no problem. Would I be able to bake in the oven at 225 for about 13 minutes? I have tried using a heat gun but everywhere I read seems to agree the oven is faster and easier as well as giving you more control. -Ill