LatinEM2

So today in 100+ weather i decided to paint my newly new pair of headlights I had purchased becuase I am using my original set for a TSX retro-fit and besides the lense on those were very foogy :???:. This pair was very clean not foggy at all. So my homie and I start on the project.
Start by taking off the self tapping screws on the front by the radiator cap, then two screws by the fenders, and finally some more self tapping screws on the bottom of the bumper.

Then go start to remove the headlights, u can use 1 10mm socket and and extension to take off the headlights. Also this would be a good time to take off all the bulbs and rubber cover.

Then you take your headlights to the oven to heat up the glue so you will able to separate them. I put the oven to 250 degrees for about 10 minutes, then i set one headlight for about 5 minutes

After that, you have to pry them apart like so:

I used a flathead screwdriver to pry them apart. After the prying, you end up with 2 separate parts.
The front lense and the reflector housing:


You have to take off 2 screws on the lense part of the headlights to get the chrome part that were are going to paint, I used a T-15 socket

Once you get it off, you have mask off the amber part. Or if you want to paint it or take out its up 2 u. I like the amber part so i left it. Then after the masking, my buddy an I started to wetsand. I used 800 grit paper

Then you start paiting:

A couple of coats should be enough.
Then you take off your masking and end up with something like this

Almost done, :suprise:, you have to put back the painted part, then set the lense back onto the reflector and finally put it back on the oven to heat up the glue to seal them back up. You should end up with something like this:

Finally you put back all your bulbs and plug everything back, put back your bumper. And here are the final results:


It took my homie and I about 3 hours to complete this job.
Comments and questions welcomed. :D

sujak

01-03 headlights are VERY VERY easy to open. compared to 04-05

if you're afraid of using the oven use a hairdryer (this will take about 30-1hr) to open up 1 04-05 headlight (while it took me ~1min to open a 02 and took gearbox 10seconds)


only thing i would add. some clear drying silicone, i gaurentee those headlights will fog sometime down the road. be generous with the silicone too.

i put silicon all over the inside of the headlight than push the lense on has hard as i could let sit for like 1-2 minutes popped back in 200degree oven for about 2mins than took out and pushed again (re-heating any glue left over)

good diy. nice inca pearl

LatinEM2

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sujak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">01-03 headlights are VERY VERY easy to open. compared to 04-05

if you're afraid of using the oven use a hairdryer (this will take about 30-1hr) to open up 1 04-05 headlight (while it took me ~1min to open a 02 and took gearbox 10seconds)


only thing i would add. some clear drying silicone, i gaurentee those headlights will fog sometime down the road. be generous with the silicone too.

i put silicon all over the inside of the headlight than push the lense on has hard as i could let sit for like 1-2 minutes popped back in 200degree oven for about 2mins than took out and pushed again (re-heating any glue left over)

good diy. nice inca pearl </TD></TR></TABLE>
thanks, yeah i might add some silicone later. Didn't have any problems with fogging up with my other pair.

fventura03

iTrader: (1)

also post a diy for your retrofit

LatinEM2

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fventura03 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">also post a diy for your retrofit</TD></TR></TABLE>
will try 2, kinda giving up on the project since im having such a hard time mouting the dang projecotrs.

TailZ

very nice!
mmm great summer project for me!
can't you pop the orange signal part out?

LatinEM2

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TailZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">very nice!
mmm great summer project for me!
can't you pop the orange signal part out?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I've read thats how you can take it out, but i have never tried to do it.

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TailZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">very nice!
mmm great summer project for me!
can't you pop the orange signal part out?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, it's quite delicate though, so be careful.

strtpls3

Wow LatinEM1, great DIY post. By the way, your engine bay looks damn nice even from the far first shot. What are you using to clean it out?

LatinEM2

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by strtpls3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wow LatinEM1, great DIY post. By the way, your engine bay looks damn nice even from the far first shot. What are you using to clean it out?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks!, don't use anything really, just a wet rag to wipe down the dust

stinkypinky1011

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sujak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">01-03 headlights are VERY VERY easy to open. compared to 04-05

if you're afraid of using the oven use a hairdryer (this will take about 30-1hr) to open up 1 04-05 headlight (while it took me ~1min to open a 02 and took gearbox 10seconds)


only thing i would add. some clear drying silicone, i gaurentee those headlights will fog sometime down the road. be generous with the silicone too.

i put silicon all over the inside of the headlight than push the lense on has hard as i could let sit for like 1-2 minutes popped back in 200degree oven for about 2mins than took out and pushed again (re-heating any glue left over)

good diy. nice inca pearl </TD></TR></TABLE>

Just did my 04 headlights last friday and they were a pain in the *** to open them. The whole project took me like 10 hours but it was fun.

menappi

sick sick sick... now get a retro . and some HIDs.

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by menappi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sick sick sick... now get a retro . and some HIDs.</TD></TR></TABLE>

And basically ruin the whole look of the lights for really no benefit in lighting?

TailZ

BUMP!
I'm no expert in painting. But what paint would be best for this project?
I'm trying to make time to do mine. (My only car..)

Rolling94

Looking good on the blackout.

brjhnson

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TailZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BUMP!
I'm no expert in painting. But what paint would be best for this project?
I'm trying to make time to do mine. (My only car..)</TD></TR></TABLE>

I used regular spray paint, just make sure you sand really well.

Agent_EM1

Nice

LatinEM2

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TailZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BUMP!
I'm no expert in painting. But what paint would be best for this project?
I'm trying to make time to do mine. (My only car..)</TD></TR></TABLE>
I used Duplicolor Gloss Black that i got form Autozone.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Agent_EM1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice </TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks

cherrynutz

when i did mine i just used a scrubbie or scotch brite pad w/e you may call it. just make sure you get the gray scrubbie not the red cause the red will leave some deep scratches and if you don't primer then you're F'ed.

TailZ

I think I'm going to do mine primer black.

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TailZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BUMP!
I'm no expert in painting. But what paint would be best for this project?
I'm trying to make time to do mine. (My only car..)</TD></TR></TABLE>

I used High Heat Flat Black for mine. It's stuff they use on outdoor grills.

bakerboy0642

im giving this a shot probably on friday afternoon. im picking up spraypaint and sandpaper today lol

bakerboy0642

sujak, where did you put the silicone, along the line of the clear plastic outside where the glue is?

fventura03

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by brjhnson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I used regular spray paint, just make sure you sand really well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you sanded yours? i didn't. i just shot mine with primer, then the paint, then clear. i used regular duplicolor spray cans.

i guess it'd be better to sand, yes.

bakerboy0642

so if anyone has any tips of advice for me for this project let me know. im worried about putting my babies in the oven and i have a 2004 so i guess its harder

also does anyone know when the trial membership period is up? getting annoying not being able to IM people