how to paint headlights?
- Thread starter Strata
- Start date
mountjonas
Member
- :
- 2013 VRM MS3
it was on protuner, but i think it got taken down again.
hawaiian_msp
Member
- :
- Boosted Familia
Here's a really abbreviated how to:
1) remove headlights from car
2) remove all black rubber pieces and bulbs
3) remove screws from back of headlight housing except for beam alignment adjustment screws.
4) Preheat oven to 275F
5) place headlight on cookie sheet. (I'd recommend only baking one headlight at a time)
6) bake for 13 mins.
7) remove from oven. remove clear lens from black housing. (I'd wear mechanix gloves as to not burn the crap out of my hands)
8) After clear lens and bezel has cooled remove the screws that hold the bezel to the clear lens.
9) Scuff bezel with 400 grit until surface is uniformly dull.
10) paint
11) once paint has cured (read instructions on paint)
12) reassemble bezel to clear lens with the screws you removed.
13) reassemble clear lens to black housing. (don't use any screws)
14) rebake headlight housing at 275 for 13 mins
15) remove from oven. press lens and housing together. (this is what reseals it)
16) once it has cooled. reinstall all screws and black rubber parts.
17) repeat for other light.
18) reinstall headlights back onto car.
BTW Do this at your OWN RISK. If you do not feel confident you can do it. Don't these lights are 250.00 USD per light. This is how I did it. It worked for me. It may or may not work for you. I will not accept any responsibility if you screw up your headlight. Excercise extreme caution in handling any and all HOT plastic parts. IE what I've given here is just a basic guideline. Be sure to plan out exactly how you are going to do things before you get started. Be sure to have the proper safety equipment for your needs. Some people might find that mechanix gloves don't provide enough heat protection for them.
1) remove headlights from car
2) remove all black rubber pieces and bulbs
3) remove screws from back of headlight housing except for beam alignment adjustment screws.
4) Preheat oven to 275F
5) place headlight on cookie sheet. (I'd recommend only baking one headlight at a time)
6) bake for 13 mins.
7) remove from oven. remove clear lens from black housing. (I'd wear mechanix gloves as to not burn the crap out of my hands)
8) After clear lens and bezel has cooled remove the screws that hold the bezel to the clear lens.
9) Scuff bezel with 400 grit until surface is uniformly dull.
10) paint
11) once paint has cured (read instructions on paint)
12) reassemble bezel to clear lens with the screws you removed.
13) reassemble clear lens to black housing. (don't use any screws)
14) rebake headlight housing at 275 for 13 mins
15) remove from oven. press lens and housing together. (this is what reseals it)
16) once it has cooled. reinstall all screws and black rubber parts.
17) repeat for other light.
18) reinstall headlights back onto car.
BTW Do this at your OWN RISK. If you do not feel confident you can do it. Don't these lights are 250.00 USD per light. This is how I did it. It worked for me. It may or may not work for you. I will not accept any responsibility if you screw up your headlight. Excercise extreme caution in handling any and all HOT plastic parts. IE what I've given here is just a basic guideline. Be sure to plan out exactly how you are going to do things before you get started. Be sure to have the proper safety equipment for your needs. Some people might find that mechanix gloves don't provide enough heat protection for them.
Last edited:
- :
- '04 RX8
Thinking about doing this.
mountjonas
Member
- :
- 2013 VRM MS3
i did mine at 225 for about 10 minutes.
snowblazin
Member
- :
- 2014 Mazda3 SGT - It's the color of snowflakes!
I bought the s*** to do this today, started to take off the headlights, and I can't seem to find all the necessary screws to get those fuckers out! Anyone have the locations of these "hidden" screws and/or nuts/bolts??
snowblazin
Member
- :
- 2014 Mazda3 SGT - It's the color of snowflakes!
I got all the screws out, as well as the clips, but it still doesn't wanna come out. It seems like the headlight is getting stuck on the bumper. Any ideas??
mountjonas
Member
- :
- 2013 VRM MS3
under the headlight on the side of the car is a tab that holds the bumper to the light. you have to pull up then out. i broke one of mine when i did it, luckily, it's a 4 dollar clip
