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Forum nameInterior/Exterior
Topic subjectHere's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Topic URLhttps://forums.2gnt.com/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=i7&topic_id=27993
27993, Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by 2good2drop, Aug-02-02 04:21 PM
ok guys... so many people have requested it (inc. myself), so here it is. The finished product is dead sexy. The stock bulbs will leave a peach-like color, if you dont like that, try to find some 1157 bulbs in hyperwhite and replace them.

-you dont have to take off your bumper, it is possible to get the headlights out without doing that... just bend it a little bit to get the cord latch out and pull it out by slanting it upwards and towards the side of the car.
-Once the headlight is out, pull off all of the clips using a cloth over a flathead screwdriver, pushing it under each clip, and rotating (watch your eyes, they fly off).
-Remove ALL BULBS from the headlight. it is NOT necessary to remove the wires
-preheat your oven to 250 degrees. When it is heated up, place the headlight in it at a diagonal, upright. Bake the headlight for 6.5-7 mins. NOTE: THIS WILL NOT DAMAGE YOUR HEADLIGHT. THE WIRES ARE DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND A HEAT FAR GREATER THAN THIS, AND WILL DO FINE EVEN WHEN PLACED DIRECTLY ON THE GRILLE OF THE OVEN, AS WILL ALL THE PLASTIC.
-remove the headlight after 6.5-7 mins with oven mits. (This is the time when 2 people would be helpful. the sealant that seals the lens to the plastic housing is very similar to fresh-chewed gum in texture, and will stretch out.) It is not as simple as "pulling the headlight apart", but you can use a knife to push into the crack and turn to separate enough to get your fingers in and then pry the headlight apart, while your partner cuts the sealant along the way.
-Now that the two pieces are separated, there is an orange lens screwed onto the plastic housing with two small phillips-head screws. remove the ugly lens!
-If you want to paint the housing, this is the time to do it!
-Once done with the modifications, place the two pieces back semi-together, but do NOT PUSH THEM TIGHT. put the assembly back in the oven for around 5-6 minutes (enough to remelt the sealant), remove, and push them sealed. make sure the three plastic "catches" click shut, and make sure the thing is TIGHT. You may want to re-attach the metal clips now to ensure tightness, but it is not necessary (i didnt).
-Place the assembly in the oven again for another couple minutes max. Reattach the clips if you havent already, and let it cool.

That's it! here is a picture of it finished on a 96 eclipse:



SO... do they leak? nope! i havent had a leaking problem and neither have any of the other people who i talked to who used the same method. If done right, the re-seal will be water-tight.

PS: like my mesh? ;)
27994, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by invaznGST, Aug-03-02 02:10 AM
wow look's good..hey is it illegal to clear out the amber in the headlights or no? Also, how did you do your mesh..i have a 95 GST and I was thinking about doing a front mesh for it..but i wasn't sure of what material to use because i was thinking about rust and such..thanks

27995, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by Mindz, Aug-03-02 04:45 AM
Thanks Ian... Now I don't have to write one. Glad my instructions helped you out. Phat ride by the way. You're still helping me with the mesh and interior lights when you move up here, right?
27996, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by 2good2drop, Aug-03-02 05:01 AM
Yeah that writeup was definitely dedicated to Mindz, he walked me through it, i just had to figure out a couple minor details.
27997, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by nappyjim, Aug-03-02 05:04 AM
taking out the amber in your headlights is illegal, at least where i live.....but so far i have had no problems with po po



18" Konig Tantrum Rims
Yokohama Parada Tires
H&R Sport
$15 Rear Camber Mod
AEM Cold Air Intake
ACS Black Molded Carpet
Interior Painted Silver/Black
Hyperwhite Lights
2 Rockford Fosgate XLC Subs
750 Watt All Digital Amp
Reverse Indiglo Gauges
NGK Spark Plugs
No Name Muffler
Tenzo R Seats
HVAC Mod

Soon to have:
Unsure
27998, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by 2good2drop, Aug-03-02 11:32 AM
dont worry about taking out the amber. The stock bulbs are still peach/amber enough to pass off as amber, you will NOT get pulled over, and if so you could raise hell. If you wanna draw coptention put in hyperwhites
27999, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by Vert5, Aug-03-02 12:27 PM
Dont mean to be a dick 2Good2Drop, but it's a Law that the front Headlights have to have a reflective property of Yellow, if you went to the dmv the inspector would tell you to screw off ( this has happened to me many a time!) tho I doubt anyone will be pulled over for it, they got me for it when I went in on a taillight charge.
28000, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by sinesis333, Aug-03-02 01:40 PM
ok....I'm nervous....my headlights are in the oven right this very moment......

just needed to distract myself/tell someone :o


~E~ 1999gs
28001, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by OZ_GS, Aug-03-02 02:20 PM
I just cleared the amber lenses out and put in amber bulbs. It still looks alot cleaner but remains amber when the lights are on.

Chad
28002, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by 2good2drop, Aug-05-02 08:52 AM
chad that girl is turning me on...

anyway that is definitely an alternative... adding amber bulbs... but where did you buy them? pep boys? couldnt find them...

anyhow... is there any way we could get this put on the mods page so that we can just link people to it when they ask? because this question has been asked a million times... it'd be nice to have it on that page
28003, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by Mindz, Aug-05-02 05:58 PM
ian, when you move up here, I'll show you where to buy them. also uyou can keep your stock ones in there for now. I personally like my blue bulbs though
=)
28004, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by GSound, Aug-05-02 10:23 PM
hm........ i like 90% sure on this. i was reading the vehicle code, and the lights in the front of the car can be either white or amber. the sides are required to be amber. i believe having the white blinker (not superwhite, just plain white/yellowish) is not illegal. look it up in your vehicle code to be sure.

28005, RE: Here's the writeup on clearing the headlights
Posted by 2good2drop, Aug-06-02 04:17 AM
i also read the california vehicle code, and at least in california, a white blinker is legal... but the laws can be tricky, they'll find some way to make it unlawful :)

the code is online for those who want to check