opening headlights

fordman_01 · 06-08-2008, 07:28 PM

hey all, i am planning to paint my headlight bezel colour coded to my car soon. i have already read the and have the tute on how to do this but was wondering if i can use a heat gun to open them up. I know it will be harder as i will have to lift up the melted bits as i go otherwise it will dry up again. I cannot use a oven as mine wont fit a headlight in it and plus mum wont let me

i have bought a single headlight from the wreckers today for 70buks which was way cheaper than this other wrecker who wanted 110

:

anyways hope this works and if it does i reseal them with just normal clear silicon righto.

cheers neil

**Uncle_Ken** · 06-08-2008, 07:31 PM

Think of doing the same.
UK

LOL re your mum not letting you play with the oven. Does she let you use her matches ?

UK

fordman_01 · 06-08-2008, 07:41 PM

lol wat dont get ya haha. i can use the lighter tho

au2sw · 07-08-2008, 05:50 AM

i recently did this and used a heat gun. works well, just dont hover too long in the one area as it will start to melt the plastics. I found that pulling the lenz away from the housing was the most difficult part and as its tacky and warm, the glue gets every where, but then i went around and heated it all first before pulling it apart but i did need to use the heat gun towards the end just to re-heat a couple of areas, other then that it was pretty good. i ended up with some of the glue getting on the bezel, but it came off fairly easily. putting back together, just reheated the glue and pushed all back together didnt need to use silicon. although the right hand side seems to be drawing moisture so i think i may need to re-do it....but that requires front bar off....takes an extra 5 minutes but i have to find the time to do it. which side light do you have? i have a spare right hand side light you can have for $50. i found having the extra set meant i could take as long as i wanted so i didnt have to rush the job.

fordman_01 · 07-08-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au2sw

i recently did this and used a heat gun. works well, just dont hover too long in the one area as it will start to melt the plastics. I found that pulling the lenz away from the housing was the most difficult part and as its tacky and warm, the glue gets every where, but then i went around and heated it all first before pulling it apart but i did need to use the heat gun towards the end just to re-heat a couple of areas, other then that it was pretty good. i ended up with some of the glue getting on the bezel, but it came off fairly easily. putting back together, just reheated the glue and pushed all back together didnt need to use silicon. although the right hand side seems to be drawing moisture so i think i may need to re-do it....but that requires front bar off....takes an extra 5 minutes but i have to find the time to do it. which side light do you have? i have a spare right hand side light you can have for $50. i found having the extra set meant i could take as long as i wanted so i didnt have to rush the job.

ok mate thanks for that it really clears things up. i will try that. i have the right handside light also lol. ill start it on sat morning with the trial one and see how it goes. hopefully all good then ill take my ones apart.

cheers neil

V3RSAC3 · 07-08-2008, 11:22 AM

there's a walk through for this somehwhere ... use an oven ;)

superroo · 07-08-2008, 01:47 PM

Yeah, heat gun works fine. Mine have been apart twice with the method.
Just keep in mind what au2sw said, hover in one area to long and you'll melt the plastic. Been there, done that.

V3RSAC3, not all ovens will fit an AU light. My oven didn't

Cheers

fordman_01 · 07-08-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superroo

Yeah, heat gun works fine. Mine have been apart twice with the method.
Just keep in mind what au2sw said, hover in one area to long and you'll melt the plastic. Been there, done that.

V3RSAC3, not all ovens will fit an AU light. My oven didn't

Cheers

yeh thanks mate. i will be buying a heat gun tonight from super dodgy. yeh i have a spare headlight that i will practice on first so if/when i stuff it up its all good.

can i use normal touch up paint that you buy from super dodgy or does it have to be heat/claiper paint.

cheers neil

mattp · 07-08-2008, 05:48 PM

I used the Autobarn paint that they can colour match and put in a spray can for you (well, when I say I, I mean I bought it and let Dok do it), but it works fine, no need for heat-proof etc.

T3man · 07-08-2008, 08:23 PM

I did mine the hard way - just prised the glue out with a screwdriver. Very long tedious job but I didn't have an oven the lights would fit in nor a heat gun.

fordman_01 · 08-08-2008, 07:49 AM

ok thanks for the help so far. mate has somehow opened up the trial headlight without oven or heatgun

so now i just need the paint. yeh mattp i will probs go down to autobarn and get some paint made up on the weekend probs just need a can id think.

au2sw · 09-08-2008, 07:11 AM

super cheap paint works fine, was all i had laying around.....gloss black enemal.....worked really well.....then made the mistake of using acrylic clear top coat....didnt look quite so hot after that (note to self....read labels properly!!!

: ) but you probably dont really need a clear over the top anyways
ill post up some pics a bit later of how mine have turned out. unfortunately didnt get pics of the process though