Problems with Headlight DIYs?
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EM2ti
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Problems with Headlight DIYs?
My Civic is in the body shop this week, after a 300ZX rear ended me in traffic. I wanted to black out my headlights while my front end was being repainted and a new 04 rear was being installed. The body shop manager suggested strongly that I don't attempt this myself. He wanted $50 a piece (after I open up the headlights, cause he was scared of breaking them) to paint and reseal. 
Is he correct? Has anyone enountered fogging, paint cracking or chipping, water intrusion, etc? How long has it been since your headlights were taken apart? What do you think?
Searched the forums and got pics and how to's.
Is he correct? Has anyone enountered fogging, paint cracking or chipping, water intrusion, etc? How long has it been since your headlights were taken apart? What do you think?
Searched the forums and got pics and how to's.
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From: Toronto, Ontario
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i agree. getting them apart is the hardest part. why pay $50 after you do most of the work. They should be fine as long as you seal them properly. I wouldn't think there would be any way for the paint to peel or crack after you reseal them. just make sure you use the right paint. I sanded the shinny crome off first and then used a new paint from home depot meant for plastic. It looks good, especially since there are no aftermarket light for my car, i am very happy with the results.
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EM2ti
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Rep Power: 293 Thanks! He also said I needed a "SPECIAL SEALER" ($30 a tube) and "HIGH GRADE MASKING TAPE" ($10 a roll) to do it right.
I want to retain the parking light's chrome look and just paint the outside "ring" black, and paint around the turn signals and headlights.
Any tips on masking blocking off the areas?
I want to retain the parking light's chrome look and just paint the outside "ring" black, and paint around the turn signals and headlights.
Any tips on masking blocking off the areas?
Ricerus Maximus
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Originally posted by CJAS
i agree. getting them apart is the hardest part. why pay $50 after you do most of the work. They should be fine as long as you seal them properly. I wouldn't think there would be any way for the paint to peel or crack after you reseal them. just make sure you use the right paint. I sanded the shinny crome off first and then used a new paint from home depot meant for plastic. It looks good, especially since there are no aftermarket light for my car, i am very happy with the results.
i agree. getting them apart is the hardest part. why pay $50 after you do most of the work. They should be fine as long as you seal them properly. I wouldn't think there would be any way for the paint to peel or crack after you reseal them. just make sure you use the right paint. I sanded the shinny crome off first and then used a new paint from home depot meant for plastic. It looks good, especially since there are no aftermarket light for my car, i am very happy with the results.
i just spent a lot of time and used a lot of masking tape.
its sooo easy to do so dont even think about paying to get it done.
if i can do it anyone can
if you have any questions or problems feel free to send me a pm or catch me on aim
its sooo easy to do so dont even think about paying to get it done.
if i can do it anyone can
if you have any questions or problems feel free to send me a pm or catch me on aim
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From: San Diego, CA
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by CivicHX01
[B]just careful when u take off the masking tape... some of the chrome ripped off with the tape on mine...
[B]just careful when u take off the masking tape... some of the chrome ripped off with the tape on mine...
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From: San Diego, CA
Rep Power: 0 just clear bathroom/kitchen sealant.
some people with coupes don't even use extra sealant; they say if you just re-heat the headlights and stick them back together, it'll be fine. it's always good to be safe, though
some people with coupes don't even use extra sealant; they say if you just re-heat the headlights and stick them back together, it'll be fine. it's always good to be safe, though
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EM2ti
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Rep Power: 293 Thanks to everyone. I got it done! Pain in the A _ _! By far the hardest DIY I have ever done. Started at 6PM and finished at 430AM the next day. Had to get it finished before my front end was put on that morning.
Last edited by maxtierney; Apr 15, 2004 at 08:36 PM.
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Rep Power: 0 ^^^ Wow, looks like you did a great job. Did you keep the orange turn signal piece on and put masking tape over it while you painted it? or did you take it off before u painted it?
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EM2ti
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I took everything apart, taped off and sanded. Painting was the easy part.
Went to a local auto paint supply store and bought 1/8" and 1" rolls of quality tape (no residue), some good plastic paint and 3M sealant, all for about $25.
I took everything apart, taped off and sanded. Painting was the easy part.
Went to a local auto paint supply store and bought 1/8" and 1" rolls of quality tape (no residue), some good plastic paint and 3M sealant, all for about $25.
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