DIY Blacked Out Headlights

[JamesGames]

Great job, do it right or don't do it at all for the headlights.. I personally would never touch my headlights as I've had bad experiences since the early 2000s from modifying angel eyes (fit and finish, condensation, reliability, longevity) and what not, so props to you.

[JyoungM3]

seeing as you took a part and blacked them out so well, i have a question. Any suggestions for making my head light lenses look brand new again ? they just seem to be so contaminated with lite hazing and minor rock chip/scratches i would really love to somehow make them look crystal clear? if anybody has any suggestions at all would be really appreciated ! I thank you in advance!

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by JyoungM3

seeing as you took a part and blacked them out so well, i have a question. Any suggestions for making my head light lenses look brand new again ? they just seem to be so contaminated with lite hazing and minor rock chip/scratches i would really love to somehow make them look crystal clear? if anybody has any suggestions at all would be really appreciated ! I thank you in advance!

Originally Posted by Railgun

Polish them

Railgun is correct. There are several headlight restoration kits on the market. Some you sand the lenses in stages and polish, others have a cutting polish you buff with.
I would suggest doing that and then hitting them with a PPF

[chetrickerman]

How did you remove the chrome on the inner pieces?

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by chetrickerman

How did you remove the chrome on the inner pieces?

Easy-off extreme oven cleaner.

Spray it on, leave them for 10 minutes and rinse it off.

I found the aerosol worked much better than the spray bottle for some reason.

[david51]

superb very good job

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by david51

superb very good job

Thank you.

Update; mid winter and still no condensation, leaks, peeling etc

[david51]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

Thank you.

Update; mid winter and still no condensation, leaks, peeling etc

[TheONE24]

Did you have any noticeable difference in light output without the chrome etc after you reinstalled them?

[NickyC]

Just saw this, and love them or hate them (I think they look GREAT), you have to respect the work OP put into making this happen. Many years ago I baked headlights from time to time to mod them, and it was always a massive, messy, gargantuan pain in the ass. I'll never do it again, this I'm certain of.

Well done OP!

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by TheONE24

Did you have any noticeable difference in light output without the chrome etc after you reinstalled them?

Absolutely no difference in light output. I didn't touch the critical reflectors.

Originally Posted by NickyC

Just saw this, and love them or hate them (I think they look GREAT), you have to respect the work OP put into making this happen. Many years ago I baked headlights from time to time to mod them, and it was always a massive, messy, gargantuan pain in the ass. I'll never do it again, this I'm certain of.

Well done OP!

Thank you! Baking is one thing, the permaseal is another entirely. Shit was a nightmare.

[pitkin_g]

Awesome job OP. Ive done few tail light sets on my evos back in the day. The results are very rewarding. But, a spare set of tail lights was cheap to work with. I would love to see few more attempt it and then meybe I get brave enough myself.
Overall, chrome OEM look is very weak. Blacked out look is perfect!

[Bmwlmr99]

car looks damn good

[TommyLights]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

Absolutely no difference in light output. I didn't touch the critical reflectors.


Thank you! Baking is one thing, the permaseal is another entirely. Shit was a nightmare.

if you pry immediately after pulling them out of the oven, it's a much easier task. More so with picks instead of the cold glue tools, as they slip in and cut through the perma much easier, in my experience.

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by Tommy_M4

if you pry immediately after pulling them out of the oven, it's a much easier task. More so with picks instead of the cold glue tools, as they slip in and cut through the perma much easier, in my experience.

Is your experience with F8X headlights? Not a chance I'd suggest immediately prying on these headlights once pulled from the oven.
This is nothing like separating butyl glue sealed headlights.

[TommyLights]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

Is your experience with F8X headlights? Not a chance I'd suggest immediately prying on these headlights once pulled from the oven.
This is nothing like separating butyl glue sealed headlights.

That's what I said, pry immediately because heat affects perma, just not as much as it affects butyl. Yep, I've done dozens of F8X lights.....and E92 lights.

[Crazy Penguin]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

Is your experience with F8X headlights? Not a chance I'd suggest immediately prying on these headlights once pulled from the oven.
This is nothing like separating butyl glue sealed headlights.

Stop being so ignorant. Gotta Love him saying you have never opened a headlight, Tom.
Eat your shoe 😂

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by Tommy_M4

That's what I said, pry immediately because heat affects perma, just not as much as it affects butyl. Yep, I've done dozens of F8X lights.....and E92 lights.

Originally Posted by Crazy Penguin;

Stop being so ignorant. Gotta Love him saying you have never opened a headlight, Tom.
Eat your shoe 😂

I was asking out of curiosity; the experience comment was not meant to be snide. And please inform me where I mentioned he had never opened a headlight?

I found the F8X headlight lens to be fairly brittle and was not comfortable simply prying the headlights apart. I took my time and worked around the entire seal.

If my headlights weren't blacked out you wouldn't be able to tell they were opened.

[Crazy Penguin]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

I was asking out of curiosity; the experience comment was not meant to be snide. And please inform me where I mentioned he had never opened a headlight?

I found the F8X headlight lens to be fairly brittle and was not comfortable simply prying the headlights apart. I took my time and worked around the entire seal.

If my headlights weren't blacked out you wouldn't be able to tell they were opened.

Are you mental? In the quote.

[thurston]

Originally Posted by JamesGames

Great job, do it right or don't do it at all for the headlights.. I personally would never touch my headlights as I've had bad experiences since the early 2000s from modifying angel eyes (fit and finish, condensation, reliability, longevity) and what not, so props to you.

This was my thought. Looks dope but I would never purchase a car that has had this done. I'm just thinking of all the air pollutants and contaminants that get inside the lens from peoples' garages/living rooms.

[The Murder 335i]

respect the process!

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by thurston

This was my thought. Looks dope but I would never purchase a car that has had this done. I'm just thinking of all the air pollutants and contaminants that get inside the lens from peoples' garages/living rooms.

Lol pollutants? You do realize the headlights are vented right? What about the fumes from your engine bay, road debris, rain, mud etc.

If the headlights are properly cleaned after being separated and then properly sealed there is no issue.

Not a lick of condensation or haze in mine and I winter drive my car in Alberta. Aka -40, snow, sleet, hail etc.