Headlight Color Recommendation

[avantcrap]

Hello All,

I have a black cherry 370z and am considering having my headlights painted soon. I am torn between either getting the housings color matched to black cherry with black shrouds or with having them done flat black.

I've only been able to find photos of one other black cherry Z with modded headlights and they got flat black. It's hard for me to really tell from 2-3 photos if I like it or not. Part of me does since it gives some contrast with the car, but part of me doesn't because in direct sunlight it looks 'off' compared to the dynamic color of the car.

This color can be hugely frustrating at times, but it really is different. I still get asked about what color it is.

If anyone has a BC Z with modded headlights -- I'd love to see them!

[Zbrah]

I think pink would pop nicely on a BC.

[avantcrap]

Originally Posted by Zbrah

I think pink would pop nicely on a BC.

[KrnAndy]

I have a magnetic black, and I feel the same way.

at first I really liked the look of the black housing and white or stock shrouds to pop out.

but with a darker color, the stock does make the lines of the headlight pop.

I was considering a flat white and dark grey shrouds, flat white for the housing should make it look very clean.

[avantcrap]

Originally Posted by KrnAndy

I have a magnetic black, and I feel the same way.



at first I really liked the look of the black housing and white or stock shrouds to pop out.



but with a darker color, the stock does make the lines of the headlight pop.



I was considering a flat white and dark grey shrouds, flat white for the housing should make it look very clean.

If I had black it would be much easier for me to decide. I like the blacked out look and would go flat black with gunmetal grey shrouds.

I have most of my car cherried out -- color matched handles, color matched powdercoated wheels, black cherry plastidipped emblems. However my fangs and rear valance are dipped black to have them stand out against the color of the car.

I suppose I could attempt some Photoshopping to get an idea

[Nick M]

Go gloss black IMO.

OEM headlight housing that are black, on not flat black. 2015+ Nismo headlights are gloss black, and it looks sharp, reflects light well, and doesn't look like a job an 18yo did in their parents basement.

I have 2015 NISMO headlights on my '09 sport package, the gloss black is a nice look.

[avantcrap]

Originally Posted by Nick M

Go gloss black IMO.

OEM headlight housing that are black, on not flat black. 2015+ Nismo headlights are gloss black, and it looks sharp, reflects light well, and doesn't look like a job an 18yo did in their parents basement.

I have 2015 NISMO headlights on my '09 sport package, the gloss black is a nice look.

So really I could just buy the nismo set and not even worry about getting em painted. Clever clever!

[Nick M]

Originally Posted by avantcrap

So really I could just buy the nismo set and not even worry about getting em painted. Clever clever!

Price it out, I think Nismos go for about $750 or $800 per headlight. And you have the peace of mind that they have never been opened and re-glued.

[avantcrap]

Originally Posted by Nick M

Price it out, I think Nismos go for about $750 or $800 per headlight. And you have the peace of mind that they have never been opened and re-glued.

Believe it or not, the nismo ones are cheaper than the standards by like $50 per pair. Haha.

Do you have a BC Z?

[ReLL954]

BLACK CHERRY FTW what did you decide curious to see nismo on the BC

[avantcrap]

Originally Posted by ReLL954

BLACK CHERRY FTW what did you decide curious to see nismo on the BC

I haven't decided yet. I'm not sure how black headlights will look on the BC but color matching might look washed out.

I wish there were more examples of BC zs with modded headlights on here for some reference and guidance!

[ReLL954]

Originally Posted by avantcrap

I haven't decided yet. I'm not sure how black headlights will look on the BC but color matching might look washed out.

I wish there were more examples of BC zs with modded headlights on here for some reference and guidance!

the bitter sweet of having a limited colorway,

why dont you try doing or requesting a photoshop moc up of the both to see which looks the best?

[avantcrap]

Yeah it's a bit frustrating!

I may do that. I'll have to track down the photoshop threads

[Daniel123588]

Not exactly what you are looking for but here my black cherry with headlights I got painted.

I didn't take out the amber because I cant pass safety check so I covered the bottom portion with carbon vinyl. Ive done numerous headlights and usually ALWAYS do gloss black when I don't color match but you will come to find out that your paint will start peeling due to the heat of the projector. Mind you I am having it professionally painted and not spray can paint. Some headlights bubble some don't, theres even a thread with the factory nismo one starting to bubble.

This example has the bottom portion as high temp black, that's why its a bit flat compared to the sides.

Say you do color match black cherry paint in the headlight, it will always look black in photos and I feel it will only be visible up close in person. Ours cars practically look black at night but int he day with the purple hue its very nice.









If you are doing your headlight mod yourself, I highly suggest you mod the projector. You can find threads I posted regarding it.

[Daniel123588]

A few more in the sun. Hope this helps!