Do's & dont of painting headlights!!!!!!

[Evelyn]

Might pluck up the courage at the wkend & do this (was going to change them but due to finances, this is what I am doing)

First question does the bumber have to come off?
Has anyone done this, any tips??

[Noel]

Theres a vid on youtube ...

back in a minute

ok watch this ... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P-q0SVALfus

it's a vid for installing Halo lights but he paints them while they're open ...

also remember he is in the states so the temperature on the oven is in fahrenheit

good luck

[Richie_c]

Some of the lads will tell you that the bumper doesnt have to come off, I had to take mine off though.
When youre taking them out be very careful as their clips that hold the unit in place after all screws/nuts are removed, I managed to break one of them when doing it.
When putting the units in the oven be careful not to put them too close to the elements as they will melt
I put them in at just under gas mark 1 for about 15 minutes. May need longer may not
Use screwdrivers to seperate the glass from the housing and then just pull the housing away very smoothly
Be careful when seperating the unit not to get glue on the inside of the unit
After that sand down the insides of the housing
Prime the housing
Paint them. Will need 2/3 layers of paint
Put them back together when fully dried
Put them back in the oven at the same temperature
When you take it back out push the light smoothly down on a flat surface - I used a table with a towel on it and rolled the light from side to side to seal it back up
Use vicegrips to hold it together to make sure it seals correctly after you've used as much (wo)man power as possible

Think thats pretty much it, I hope I havent left anything out

[Evelyn]

Ya I have seen the video Noel, but was just wondering had anyone anymore advise, but I think Richie has covered it...

[Flex]

See if this helps Ev
http://altezzaclub.org.au/diymods.htm

[Evelyn]

See if this helps Ev
http://altezzaclub.org.au/diymods.htm

Ya that what I have printed off, so hopefully it should go to plan...hopefully

[Dan]

i didnt need to remove the bumper, there is only 2 screws behind the wheel arch plastic cover that are tricky to get to and be careful with the plastic clip on the bottom of the light

[Evelyn]

1 other thing will the heat resistant matt black I have left over from the brake calipers do the job?

[Dan]

no need for heat resistant paint, may not bond properly to the plastic, make sure you give them a few coats of grey primer first, sand them down and a few coats of matt black. i smashed one of my inserts to bits when sanding it, had to superglue it back together! you couldnt tell it had been smashed by the time i was finished with it!

[Evelyn]

I know its a stupid question I presuming the reason there silver in the first place has got to do with projection of light, does making them black affect the light?

[xnickx]

Not on the housing, dont paint the 2 chrome circles that the light reflects from.

Quick tip:
- 100degrees C preheat for 5 mins
- Stick the lights in for 5 mins
- Pull the lights out and put toothpicks on the little tabs that hold the clear plastic onto the housing
- Stick the lights back in and oven and pull them out every 2 mins and slowly peel them apart

Did mine exactly with that way (and a few others) and have yet (touch wood) have any deformation on the tabs etc etc

[Sub-Z]

Goodluck wit the venture eve should make ur headlights look very good indeed painting them.

[Evelyn]

Ya totally with ye now...Just spotted Sub-z car & I can see where the silver reflective is left bit slow god love me but I get there in the end . I am used of looking at headlights where the actually glass in tinted not the insert....

[Ms_beams]

Get onto mark....i'm sure he'd have a good few tips about this

[d2carazy]

best of luck with it it sounds like a lot of work