I want to clear out my headlights really badly. However I can not afford to break my headlights. What exactly are the ways to do it (With lots of detail, pics would be awesome) and How long does it take? Also how are headlights removed...need lots of detail, need to be careful. Thanks in advance.

Ryan
Ryeguy2002@Hotmail.com
'97 Mitsubishi Eclipse


http://springfielddsm.homestead.com/ryan.html
http://www.monkeygods.com/Ryan
(Fast connection suggested)

Yea, and i need to know the exact type of silicone to use to seal it back up. Thanks

Ian | 95 Eclipse RS | icj.eclipse@gateway.net | SoCal 2GNT

Jason_ESI-T had a long write up I remember. I actually saw it one day browsing the archives. He has good instruction but I will let him answer your other questions. Since my headlights were unfogged I didnt even want to bother messing with them for fear of the "fog".
www.extreme420a.com

Mothers mag and aluminum polish worked just fine for my yellowed fogged lense...

95 Eclipse RS

-Ractive CAI
-Aerospeed 2.5" Cat-Back
-AFX UDP
-NGK Plugs
-Magnecore Wires
-Front Strut Bar
-Clear Tails
-Clear Corners

more to come,soon!!

Do you think you will be able to find out on what date he had posted it. Because i really need to do the same thing but i cant afford to buy new headlights if i break or fog mine

LAST EDITED ON 16-Nov-01 AT 07:22 AM (PST)

(without pictures :-) -Isn't it odd how I answer a question to something I've never done to a person who lives in my same town...)

Here ya go Ryan:


1) Remove the headlight assemblies fro the car. This is done by unscrewing the plastic screws on the corners of the inner fender and the front bumper.

2) Remove the turn signals. This is done by unscrewing the single screw that holds each of them in.

3) Get a small ratchet and 12mm socket in the bumper cover and unbolt the retaining bolt that is right at the corner of the headlight and the front fender and the front bumper.

4) Unbolt the other retaining bolt that is located at the corner of the front bumper cover and the fender. This should make it fairly easy to bend the corner of the bumper cover down.

5) Unbolt the headlight assembly from the frame up top. There is 1 bolt on the very top, and there are 2 bolts and one nut on the backside of it.

6) Unbolt the row of bolts in the center of the bumper cover to get the bumper to bend enough. After doing this ot both sides, unplug the headlight assembly wiring harnesses, and maneuver it out.

7) Remove all the screws from the back of the headlight assembly itself.

8) Unclip all the clips around the assembly, and get a heat gun and a friend and a large flat screwdriver or pry tool, and CAREFULLY pry the lens off of the housing (the lens WILL warp if it is overheated and bent).

9) After you get the lens off, unscrew the orange reflector from the housing. Now, get a squeeze bottle of clear silicone, and apply in the area that the original bond was. Now, go in reverse with the heating process. Press the 2 halves together while heating then and applying extra silicone where needed. Also apply the clamps while doing this (this will help it stay together while bonding).

10) After about 30 minutes after you have put the lens back on, take the clamps off, and apply a SECOND layer of silicone around the lens where it meats up with the housing. Make sure there is NO spot where air or water can go through between the two. We recommend that you apply a third thin coat the next day just to make absoultely sure.

11) Wait 24 hrs before putting the headlight back onto the car.


NOTES:
- Try to keep all of your work neat (I.E. make sure when you re-bond the first time, that all the plastic around the housing where it lines up with the lens is as smooth as possible, and apply even layers of silicone).

-You now have clear corners, and a seal that is 9 times out of ten BETTER than your factory seal (not as resistant to impact though, which means that if you hit somebody or something and total out your car, your lenses will probably be laying on the ground past your car, but if you hit something that hard, the headlights will be your least of worries).

(COURTESY of ASOG- Edited for spelling, clarity and grammatical errors.)

Jason
98' Eagle Talon ESi-T
Mitsu Super 16g Turbo(HRC)/Custom FMIC

http://springfielddsm.homestead.com/JasonsPics.html

When I did mine at first the passenger one fogged up, so I took it out and put more silcone on it, that worked until my drivers one started to fog up. I took that one out and put more silicone on it and that worked too. Neither one of them fog up anymore. If you decide to do it just make sure you have a very good seal on them (I put a few extra layers of silicone just to make sure the second time around). The silicone I used I bought at Autozone for like $4 and it was called "Clear Rtv Silicone" by "Permatex". Hope this helps

dont mean to change yer mind but look what i did with mine- i painted them black inside with a signal circle. ive posted this before, just wanna give you more options.

they looking pretty nice dood. im assuming that you opened them up, right? looks good though.

yes I took the headlight out, blew dry it warm, opened it, painted all the silver black and a circle around the signal, then blew dry it back on, using the old silicon.

that looks sweet, mrlocal, but imma tell ya what i tell the strippers..."the bra's gotta come off!"

thanx Chris...i was just bout to say that!