DIY Black Housing Headlights
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DIY Black Housing Headlights
Upon request I am writing this DIY on how to make a black housing headlight. I don't have any photos of the DIY because I didn't think to even make this guide until after I had started. If I ever do another set of these lights, I will photograph the process.
There is a tutorial in the DIY section that covers how to remove the front bumper cover in detail. However, when it comes to removing the cover, be careful not to break any of the clips that hold it on. If broken, the bumper cover will not line up properly (due to chassis flex) with the front quarterpanel and possibly leave an annoying gap. Follow this DIY until the disassembly of the headlight housing.
- - - SUPPLIES - - -
flathead and phillips screwdrivers
can of spraypaint*
can of plastic primer**
sillicone bathroom sealant (clear)
caulk gun
heat gun or hairdryer (seriously)
masking tape
razor blade
* = this is whatever color you want to paint the housing. In this DIY I used flat black.
** = this is not necessary if you sand the chrome off... but it wouldn't hurt.
- - - PART ONE - - -
Using the flathead screwdriver, pry open the metal clips that line the edge of the headlight unit. I believe there are 5 (I don't have the headlight in front of me) Next, begin heating up the black tar stuff with the heat gun. It is already quite soft, but it still is tough stuff. Heating it up real good speeds up the process and helps prevent damage. After its heated, use the screwdriver to work down the gap between the front cover and the rear of the housing. As you open it, try and get a hand in and gently rip apart the two halves.
Use the screwdriver to scrape off any of the tar stuff that is in the channel on the rear section of the housing. Get as much out as possible, because we're going to be filling that with sillicone. The same goes for the front cover.
- - - PART TWO - - -
Remove the two screws that hold the chrome plastic housing to the front cover. It will then slide out with some TLC. Reach your finger into the hole for the turn signal and pop out the amber cover. Underneath, on the lower section, is a clear reflector - remove that as well. Now that the chrome piece is alone, we can get to the fun part.... prepping.
Some different options are now before you. You may want to leave the amber cover on with chrome under it, you may want it all black, you may ditch the clear reflector, you may not, etc, etc, etc. For my headlights, I am removing the amber cover and leaving the clear piece, yet painting underneath, as seen here.
If your intention is to sand the chrome off, do it now. But its not necessary to go through all that hardcore labor... use plastic primer.
Also, if you plan on painting the entire housing black, skip Part Three.
- - - PART THREE - - -
Begin masking off the parts you want to remain chrome. I found that taking the edge of the tape and VERY carefully laying down and edge with it gave me a great result... look at how cleanly the inside lip of the parking light is edged in the above photo. Sloppily taping the section then cutting the edge with a razor may damage the chrome's edge and peeling off with the tape. Just take the extra 30 minutes to lay the edge with the tape itself.
Here is my only other picture. If you look very, very closely to the bottom left of the parking light circle, you can see my tape's edge that I laid out.
When all the masking is done, we move on to the painting phase.
- - - PART FOUR - - -
Set the housing on the surface you intend to paint it on. The shop where I do my work actually has a painting booth. However, a cool, dry, dust free place is basically all you will need. Don't paint on the lawn - it will turn out like crap. In choosing a lacation, you are choosing the quality of the finish... any dust or debris will settle on the wet paint and be immortalized in your headlights.
Dust a few layers of primer over the headlight. Hold the can about a foot away and don't hold it in one place - always keep it moving. The first coat should just barely cover the chrome... you may still be able to see it through the primer. Wait about 5-10 minutes and repeat this process. Two coats of primer is all you should need, so we move on. Give the primer some decent time to dry before applying the color. Basically, repeat this "dust-dry-dust-dry" process a few times until you are happy with the quality of the coverage. I did 5 coats. If painted properly, there should be no streaks or run marks. (check out the first picture again) Let the paint dry overnight.
- - - PART FIVE - - -
Use the heat gun to warm up the tape a bit so it doesn't strip any chrome off when you peel it. I actually had a bit come off anyway, but such is life. If you don't have a good idea of the finished piece up to this point, check out that first photo again. Begin the reassembly of the housing by attaching any reflectors or amber covers you wish or don't wish, taking special care not to scratch any paint off.
* * * * * * IMPORTANT * * * * * *
I have not gotten any further than this due to delays at the shop I am using. I will edit this notice out and finish the DIY as soon as I get it completed. Also, if anyone could sticky this, im sure alot of people would appreciate this DIY. Also, if anyone has any photos they could lend me, PM me about it. Until then, I appologize for the incompleteness.
There is a tutorial in the DIY section that covers how to remove the front bumper cover in detail. However, when it comes to removing the cover, be careful not to break any of the clips that hold it on. If broken, the bumper cover will not line up properly (due to chassis flex) with the front quarterpanel and possibly leave an annoying gap. Follow this DIY until the disassembly of the headlight housing.
- - - SUPPLIES - - -
flathead and phillips screwdrivers
can of spraypaint*
can of plastic primer**
sillicone bathroom sealant (clear)
caulk gun
heat gun or hairdryer (seriously)
masking tape
razor blade
* = this is whatever color you want to paint the housing. In this DIY I used flat black.
** = this is not necessary if you sand the chrome off... but it wouldn't hurt.
- - - PART ONE - - -
Using the flathead screwdriver, pry open the metal clips that line the edge of the headlight unit. I believe there are 5 (I don't have the headlight in front of me) Next, begin heating up the black tar stuff with the heat gun. It is already quite soft, but it still is tough stuff. Heating it up real good speeds up the process and helps prevent damage. After its heated, use the screwdriver to work down the gap between the front cover and the rear of the housing. As you open it, try and get a hand in and gently rip apart the two halves.
Use the screwdriver to scrape off any of the tar stuff that is in the channel on the rear section of the housing. Get as much out as possible, because we're going to be filling that with sillicone. The same goes for the front cover.
- - - PART TWO - - -
Remove the two screws that hold the chrome plastic housing to the front cover. It will then slide out with some TLC. Reach your finger into the hole for the turn signal and pop out the amber cover. Underneath, on the lower section, is a clear reflector - remove that as well. Now that the chrome piece is alone, we can get to the fun part.... prepping.
Some different options are now before you. You may want to leave the amber cover on with chrome under it, you may want it all black, you may ditch the clear reflector, you may not, etc, etc, etc. For my headlights, I am removing the amber cover and leaving the clear piece, yet painting underneath, as seen here.
If your intention is to sand the chrome off, do it now. But its not necessary to go through all that hardcore labor... use plastic primer.
Also, if you plan on painting the entire housing black, skip Part Three.
- - - PART THREE - - -
Begin masking off the parts you want to remain chrome. I found that taking the edge of the tape and VERY carefully laying down and edge with it gave me a great result... look at how cleanly the inside lip of the parking light is edged in the above photo. Sloppily taping the section then cutting the edge with a razor may damage the chrome's edge and peeling off with the tape. Just take the extra 30 minutes to lay the edge with the tape itself.
Here is my only other picture. If you look very, very closely to the bottom left of the parking light circle, you can see my tape's edge that I laid out.
When all the masking is done, we move on to the painting phase.
- - - PART FOUR - - -
Set the housing on the surface you intend to paint it on. The shop where I do my work actually has a painting booth. However, a cool, dry, dust free place is basically all you will need. Don't paint on the lawn - it will turn out like crap. In choosing a lacation, you are choosing the quality of the finish... any dust or debris will settle on the wet paint and be immortalized in your headlights.
Dust a few layers of primer over the headlight. Hold the can about a foot away and don't hold it in one place - always keep it moving. The first coat should just barely cover the chrome... you may still be able to see it through the primer. Wait about 5-10 minutes and repeat this process. Two coats of primer is all you should need, so we move on. Give the primer some decent time to dry before applying the color. Basically, repeat this "dust-dry-dust-dry" process a few times until you are happy with the quality of the coverage. I did 5 coats. If painted properly, there should be no streaks or run marks. (check out the first picture again) Let the paint dry overnight.
- - - PART FIVE - - -
Use the heat gun to warm up the tape a bit so it doesn't strip any chrome off when you peel it. I actually had a bit come off anyway, but such is life. If you don't have a good idea of the finished piece up to this point, check out that first photo again. Begin the reassembly of the housing by attaching any reflectors or amber covers you wish or don't wish, taking special care not to scratch any paint off.
* * * * * * IMPORTANT * * * * * *
I have not gotten any further than this due to delays at the shop I am using. I will edit this notice out and finish the DIY as soon as I get it completed. Also, if anyone could sticky this, im sure alot of people would appreciate this DIY. Also, if anyone has any photos they could lend me, PM me about it. Until then, I appologize for the incompleteness.
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