Headlight modification?

dmhenderson · 08-16-2012, 06:37 PM

Haven't measured but it's like 2-2 1/2"

Used it for my '09 debadging so if you want it "narrow" we can just cut it down the middle.

dmhenderson · 08-16-2012, 06:39 PM

I'll also pick up some cheap oven mitts so that just leaves the rubber butyl sealant.

eastwest2300 · 08-16-2012, 06:48 PM

Dude, you're the man!! good sh1t!

dmhenderson · 08-16-2012, 06:53 PM

I'm probably the least mechanically inclined here and will need help making this look good on my car so I'm attempting to meaningfully contribute in other ways.

eastwest2300 · 08-16-2012, 06:56 PM

Im pretty sure khoi, the nissan mechanic, and myself are gonna knock out these cars without any issues..

eastwest2300 · 08-16-2012, 07:00 PM

My only question is, how do people come up with 6 to 8 hours to do this mod, where is all the time going to? its not the removing of the bumper which takes 30 minutes at most, 8 minutes in the oven, , pull the headlight apart--1hour, tape off the componenets--30min, 3 layers of paint (each layer take approximately 15min to dry, so thats 45min). Reassemble the headlight 30min. Reinstall the bumper-30min.

Masa · 08-17-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastwest2300

My only question is, how do people come up with 6 to 8 hours to do this mod, where is all the time going to? its not the removing of the bumper which takes 30 minutes at most, 8 minutes in the oven, , pull the headlight apart--1hour, tape off the componenets--30min, 3 layers of paint (each layer take approximately 15min to dry, so thats 45min). Reassemble the headlight 30min. Reinstall the bumper-30min.

You're underestimating things and expect everything to go optimally. I've done this headlight mod before when I had my VW GTI. We called it the "Joey" mod.

The reason it takes a long time is not from difficulty but from drying time of the paint. It may be "dry" to the touch in 15 minutes but I assure you if you slap 3~4 coats on within the minimum 15 minute drying time and seal up the lights there will be condensation forming inside.

Key to this mod is patience. I doubt you guys will be drying the lights in a sealed baking room with 0% humidity to ensure all the moisture is gone. Take your time with the painting.

eastwest2300 · 08-17-2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masa

You're underestimating things and expect everything to go optimally. I've done this headlight mod before when I had my VW GTI. We called it the "Joey" mod.

The reason it takes a long time is not from difficulty but from drying time of the paint. It may be "dry" to the touch in 15 minutes but I assure you if you slap 3~4 coats on within the minimum 15 minute drying time and seal up the lights there will be condensation forming inside.

Key to this mod is patience. I doubt you guys will be drying the lights in a sealed baking room with 0% humidity to ensure all the moisture is gone. Take your time with the painting.

Roger that, sir. Good info.

dmhenderson · 08-16-2012, 07:02 PM

Paint needs to dry/set I think. Anyway yeah, I'd like to ideally go on day one but not first (want to see how it's done).

2theextreme · 08-16-2012, 07:26 PM

Let me just say this.....make sure the seal is very sealed after the headlight mod is finished. I had to get one of mine fixed after I damaged the driver side bumper & fender. They returned the car to me just before I went to Z Nats last year. By the time we were on the road about half way to GA, we noticed the moisture in the headlight when we stopped for lunch and the "fog" that was forming due to the heat from the light itself. Luckily it sealed fine in the end but if you look at my headlight long enough and very meticulously, you will see where water has gotten inside it.

tonybui · 08-16-2012, 07:41 PM

BlackZ85 is not doing it. And I can do the 2nd day. Let me people from PA do it first since they have a long drive to MD

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

b1adesofcha0s · 08-16-2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastwest2300

Yes, I will be using a heat gun... blades, why are you sooo worried about my method of doing this?

dont you worry about me and the heat gun...k, buddy.

Just trying to help man. From what I've read, the heat gun will do more harm than good since we're using the oven. There's just no need for it and you're unnecessarily increasing the risk of you messing up your headlights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastwest2300

My only question is, how do people come up with 6 to 8 hours to do this mod, where is all the time going to? its not the removing of the bumper which takes 30 minutes at most, 8 minutes in the oven, , pull the headlight apart--1hour, tape off the componenets--30min, 3 layers of paint (each layer take approximately 15min to dry, so thats 45min). Reassemble the headlight 30min. Reinstall the bumper-30min.

A lot of people are doing it on their own which will take a lot more time. Also it seems like it takes a lot more than an hour to pull the headlights apart. Looks like we might be looking at at least an hour per headlight. You also have to add in time to take the headlight components out and putting them back in. Add in some rest and break time in there as well so we can get some food.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybui

BlackZ85 is not doing it. And I can do the 2nd day. Let me people from PA do it first since they have a long drive to MD

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well then that just leaves me for the 2nd day. I might as well do it on the first day too, we can just do mine last.

dmhenderson · 08-16-2012, 07:46 PM

Cool so I can squeeze in. Swell.

eastwest2300 · 08-16-2012, 09:17 PM

Dude, seriously all this talking is driving me crazy.. hahaha... ohhhh man, I just wish the 15th was here already.

eastwest2300 · 08-16-2012, 09:18 PM

hey did we update the original post for items needed/ and the list for day 1 and day 2?

08-16-2012, 06:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 27	Haven't measured but it's like 2-2 1/2" Used it for my '09 debadging so if you want it "narrow" we can just cut it down the middle. __________________ Last edited by dmhenderson; 08-16-2012 at 06:40 PM.

08-16-2012, 06:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 27	I'll also pick up some cheap oven mitts so that just leaves the rubber butyl sealant. __________________

08-16-2012, 06:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 91,031 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684552	Dude, you're the man!! good sh1t! __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

08-16-2012, 06:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 27	I'm probably the least mechanically inclined here and will need help making this look good on my car so I'm attempting to meaningfully contribute in other ways. __________________

08-16-2012, 06:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 91,031 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684552	Im pretty sure khoi, the nissan mechanic, and myself are gonna knock out these cars without any issues.. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

08-16-2012, 07:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 91,031 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684552	My only question is, how do people come up with 6 to 8 hours to do this mod, where is all the time going to? its not the removing of the bumper which takes 30 minutes at most, 8 minutes in the oven, , pull the headlight apart--1hour, tape off the componenets--30min, 3 layers of paint (each layer take approximately 15min to dry, so thats 45min). Reassemble the headlight 30min. Reinstall the bumper-30min. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

08-16-2012, 07:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 27	Paint needs to dry/set I think. Anyway yeah, I'd like to ideally go on day one but not first (want to see how it's done). __________________

08-16-2012, 07:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
2theextreme RIP Tony :( (1969-2015) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 18,802 Drives: '14 Mustang GT/CS Rep Power: 68	Let me just say this.....make sure the seal is very sealed after the headlight mod is finished. I had to get one of mine fixed after I damaged the driver side bumper & fender. They returned the car to me just before I went to Z Nats last year. By the time we were on the road about half way to GA, we noticed the moisture in the headlight when we stopped for lunch and the "fog" that was forming due to the heat from the light itself. Luckily it sealed fine in the end but if you look at my headlight long enough and very meticulously, you will see where water has gotten inside it. __________________ SpinTech Mufflers, Airaid CAI, JBA H-Pipe, Lethal Performance Over Axle Pipes, MMD Quarter Panel Louvers, Cervini's Ram Air Type IV Hood, Carbon Fiber Radiator Cover, GT500 Rear Valance, Quad Exhaust Tips

08-16-2012, 07:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
tonybui A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,397 Drives: 09 Sports 6 Speed Rep Power: 428	BlackZ85 is not doing it. And I can do the 2nd day. Let me people from PA do it first since they have a long drive to MD Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Evo-R CF fang \| CF Mirror covers \| 20/25 H&R spacers \| RE-11 \| TopSpeed exhaust + y-pipe \| Stillen HFC \| Carbon Fiber Amuse rear bumper + Amuse Spoiler \| PWJDM

08-16-2012, 07:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 27	Cool so I can squeeze in. Swell. __________________

08-16-2012, 09:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 91,031 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684552	Dude, seriously all this talking is driving me crazy.. hahaha... ohhhh man, I just wish the 15th was here already. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

08-16-2012, 09:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 91,031 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684552	hey did we update the original post for items needed/ and the list for day 1 and day 2? __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

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