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Proximity
07-31-2010, 07:59 PM
So I took apart my headlights to paint the inside, and I think it turned out great. I originally thought of doing a 2 tone thing, but only did it after plastic-eating goof off forced my hand...but I think it turned out for the better. I haven't gotten them back together yet but I will tomorrow, and hopefully I get my car back soon so I can put them on. Pics:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g44/ajs3371/IMG_1118.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g44/ajs3371/IMG_1122.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g44/ajs3371/IMG_1120.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g44/ajs3371/IMG_1136.jpg

Thoughts?
Pool Playen Bob
07-31-2010, 08:07 PM
with your silver car it'll do wonders man. nice job. :thumbup:
MidnightMac
07-31-2010, 08:19 PM
Great job man, they look awesome!

What color did you use?
I'm planning on doing this soon, which color you think would go well with carbon blue?
lOST JOKKUR
07-31-2010, 08:41 PM
i see a little bit of blue tape left in the second to last pics!! :gap:

looks good tho man.
Zero
07-31-2010, 08:55 PM
Ribbed is much better than the flat look. It gives it more "depth."

Good job.
jdm_trd99
07-31-2010, 11:05 PM
great job
bluhawk
07-31-2010, 11:29 PM
:thumbup:
trdmsprts27
08-01-2010, 12:29 AM
I'm planning on doing this soon, which color you think would go well with carbon blue?
metallic grey or something like that makes the ribs turn out better. when i had my blue gt i painted the underside with blue and the ribs didn't show up as well
irochos101
08-01-2010, 05:50 AM
Looks great!! You're inspiring me polish mine up now and do it
Proximity
08-01-2010, 06:51 AM
i see a little bit of blue tape left in the second to last pics!! :gap:

looks good tho man.

Yeah, not sure how I didn't notice that at first. :AF:

Great job man, they look awesome!

What color did you use?
I'm planning on doing this soon, which color you think would go well with carbon blue?

I used Dupli-color's high performance wheel paint, the graphite color for for the underside and black for the top part.
artizhay
08-01-2010, 06:54 AM
Looks great!
I'm doing this soon too, but I have to use a heat gun because my dad thinks putting it in the oven will be a health hazard with glue evaporating. I have no idea but I know that it's gonna take forever with a gun.
Ddragon
08-01-2010, 08:45 AM
Looking good man! I like it a lot!
g.s.
08-01-2010, 09:16 AM
Did you painted inner side? And may see it on car?
Squishy
08-01-2010, 12:47 PM
Looks great! I plan on painting mine black, as well.
Proximity
08-01-2010, 01:05 PM
Finished product

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g44/ajs3371/IMG_1160.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g44/ajs3371/IMG_1137.jpg

Thanks for the compliments, can't wait to get them on the car.
Squishy
08-01-2010, 01:44 PM
Damn, that looks nice!
boothten
08-02-2010, 08:29 AM
Ribbed is much better than the flat look. It gives it more "depth."
:werd:
It looks more unique too, making it look flat makes it look like some ebay brand shet.
:shrugs:

Damn, that looks nice!
Your sig is fawkin huge.
Squishy
08-02-2010, 03:12 PM
Better?^
boothten
08-02-2010, 04:53 PM
Better?^
:thumbup:
gts_02
08-03-2010, 12:02 AM
It turned out nice. I really want to do this on my set. Thanks for the paint info above.
Avegedme
08-03-2010, 12:08 AM
How did you take them apart? Oven??

They look really good! :thumbup:
Zero
08-03-2010, 03:01 AM
How did you take them apart? Oven??Yup. Run a search "painting headlights". You're bound to find tons of pictures and information.


my dad thinks putting it in the oven will be a health hazard with glue evaporating.
If your parents are concerned about you using the oven, then do it when they are out. :thumbup: They'll probably say "I told you so" when they come home and find you laying passed out on the floor from inhaling the evaporated glue. :laugh:

The glue doesn't evaporate, it loosens at a certain temp. - it's silicon based, I believe.
Proximity
08-03-2010, 06:18 AM
How did you take them apart? Oven??

Preheat to 350, put them in and turn the oven off, let them sit for 15 minutes. Nothing melted and it came apart no problem. Did the same when I put it back together.
irochos101
08-03-2010, 01:39 PM
How about pictures of them installed? :gap:
broderp
08-03-2010, 03:44 PM
I was thinking, " Not another one of those look at my painted headlights, or what color should I paint my headlights" but I was surprised.

I really like the "two tone" look you did there. They look even better when put back together.

If I ever have the need to open my OEM HID's I would consider what you did seriously. I like the OEM 'stripe' look, and it goes well with the black and chrome.

Very nice.

EDIT: The only thing I would do is polish the lenses to remove the cracks I see in the pics. That would bump up the look just a notch IMO.
Proximity
08-03-2010, 05:15 PM
^ I've already tried. :( I used the 3m kit and it made them look quite a bit better (they were kinda fogged up on the outside) but it didn't get everything out. I'm gonna buy the kit again though, one for each headlight, and hope it comes out a little better. I don't think all those scratches will come out though, I have no idea how they got there.

How about pictures of them installed? :gap:

I would but my car is at the shop. I should get it back by friday though. (Fingers crossed for thursday)
vindiCAtor
08-03-2010, 06:43 PM
Looks great! Almost the same shade as the OEM HID headlamps.
boothten
08-04-2010, 08:34 AM
I really like the "two tone" look you did there.
:confused:
Celica2377
08-04-2010, 11:25 PM
dude if you have a chance take a pic of the spray can you used, i would love to do this color to my headlights
Proximity
08-08-2010, 02:48 PM
Unfortunately, the headlights didn't seal properly and are fogging up. :( Tomorrow I'm going to work on resealing them and hopefully get some pics of them on the car.

Has anyone had to do this before and knows a good product to use?
trdmsprts27
08-08-2010, 03:46 PM
EDIT: The only thing I would do is polish the lenses to remove the cracks I see in the pics. That would bump up the look just a notch IMO.
you cant get rid of them as there in the plastic, the 3m, meguiers, turtle wax and other headlight restore kits cant remove them.

OP: what you can do is wet sand the headlights to lesson the appearance of the cracks. how i did my oem hid housings was i got 600, 800,1000,1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 grit sand paper. you sand each stage thoroughly and dry before starting the next to see how milky they look, each stage should look clearer and clearer. once your done with the 3000 grit hit it with plastix remover to polish it with a cordless hand drill and a buffer on it. meguiers sells it as a kit just like the others. doesn't take much to polish it once you have sanded it with 3000 grit.