Clearing Headlights: Check List
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Clearing Headlights: Check List
Well yesterday I was seeing if i could take the bumber off and put it back on. Today I will be clearing the lights. Does it look like I have all the tools necessary to complete the process? Does the bulbs look good and did I get the right silicone? I might be using a hair dryer instead of the oven...
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Looks good. Don't do half, just take the whole piece out. Oh and the oven is a must. I was clearing someone's lights a month back and couldn't get them open. We had to ask a neighbor to use their oven! 
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From: Dallas, PA
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Originally Posted by dariusld
Has anyone only did half the orange lense? I thouhgt that might clean it up a little and still be legal.
i have seen some members do that............cut the lenses
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Rep Power: 286 well i had trouble getting one of the four bolts off the headlights, i didn't have a socket wrench with 10mm extension thingy. so i had to put the bumper back on once again and go buy it at autozone. i was going to do it today but school started today. i might do them tomorrow or friday.
Yes, it's an Acura EL
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From: 416-905, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 370 Looks pretty complete, but if you can, try to find Permatex Gasket Maker sealant. I've had no problems using this stuff instead of the regular silicone sealant.
Also, try to find some spring clips/clamps from your local hardware store. Once you have cleared the lights, put the reassembled, unsealed lights in the oven for a couple of minutes at 350F then take them out and immediately use the spring clamps to close up all the seams. THEN run the Permatex around, for a leak-free seal. Using this method, my lights have not fogged up after storms, direct pressure washer hits, and being yelled at repeatedly by bag ladies.
Also, try to find some spring clips/clamps from your local hardware store. Once you have cleared the lights, put the reassembled, unsealed lights in the oven for a couple of minutes at 350F then take them out and immediately use the spring clamps to close up all the seams. THEN run the Permatex around, for a leak-free seal. Using this method, my lights have not fogged up after storms, direct pressure washer hits, and being yelled at repeatedly by bag ladies.
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From: Mississauga,ON
Rep Power: 0 i was thinking of clearing mine at first, but i decided to black them out instead
the most time consuming part for me, was getting the headlights apart. i was worried about leaving them in the oven for too long
the most time consuming part for me, was getting the headlights apart. i was worried about leaving them in the oven for too long
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Be careful when taking out the chrome trim to get to the orange lense. If you get any of that tar sealent on that chorme trim it is a biotch to get off 
. Trust me...I know. I ended up rubbing off some of the chrome trying to clean it, so I just went and blacked them all out. Looks damn good too...I'm actually glad I got some of the tar on mine 
. Anyway, just thought I'd give a head's up.
. Trust me...I know. I ended up rubbing off some of the chrome trying to clean it, so I just went and blacked them all out. Looks damn good too...I'm actually glad I got some of the tar on mine . Anyway, just thought I'd give a head's up. 
ahhaha
btw if your gonna paint it black instead should i take off the chrome first?
looks like simple green can get it out. i dripped a little bit on accident on the chrome while cleaning the lens and it took the chrome right off.
btw if your gonna paint it black instead should i take off the chrome first?
looks like simple green can get it out. i dripped a little bit on accident on the chrome while cleaning the lens and it took the chrome right off.
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From: N.O.L.A., Bestbank
Rep Power: 0 I'm not sure you need to get all the chrome off, whatever paint you choose (I went with Duplicolor Automotive Flat Black) should stick pretty good. I would definitely use a coat of filler primer on it first though to make sure the paint sticks. I just went ahead and roughed it up a little bit with some 800 grit sandpaper just to make sure, and put down one coat of filler primer.
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From: Houston, Texas
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Originally Posted by TeLLy
Or just buy some Krylon Fusion, which is made for plastic, no need to sand.
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Originally Posted by silvrbreez02
Yeah I heard of that stuff. Does it work pretty good? I was just using what I already had...trying to save a little dough. 
primer paint? hell yea it does!
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From: N.O.L.A., Bestbank
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Originally Posted by Mr.Modify
primer paint? hell yea it does!
Girlfriend of Resident RSX'er
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From: Melbourne/Palm Bay, Florida
Rep Power: 288 I didn't even use an oven or hairdryer. I just set it outside for about 45 minutes and thats it. Still no leaks or anything to this day AND I live in a fairly growing town with lots of 7thgens...I'm still the only one with cleared headlights lol. I wonder if i can somehow put up an ad and I'll do it for a price
AND I live in a fairly growing town with lots of 7thgens...I'm still the only one with cleared headlights lol. I wonder if i can somehow put up an ad and I'll do it for a price 
I just pryed those badboys apart no problem. 
no, you're missing one thing. masking tape. when you pull out the insert from the lense put the masking tape on the edge of the lense so you wont get that black **** on the chrome insert
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From: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Rep Power: 286 on step 9 of the diy, it says remove the two phillip screws. well my phillip's screwdriver doesn't seem to fit it. what am i supposed to use?
ok... i just did a search. it's not a phillips screw, it's a torx screw right?... if so what size?
ok... i did another search. t10 is the size? i found a t10 in my garage but it doesn't seem to fit it... (is my torx driver screwed up?)
ok... i just did a search. it's not a phillips screw, it's a torx screw right?... if so what size?
ok... i did another search. t10 is the size? i found a t10 in my garage but it doesn't seem to fit it... (is my torx driver screwed up?)
Last edited by Tdoan14; Aug 22, 2004 at 03:27 PM.
I'll probably get hyper whites later on... 
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From: St.Louis(st.peters)
Rep Power: 303 I don't really like cleared headlights on a black car (i've done it, but I didn't like it so i blacked'em out). i'll give you "
" for ur work 
" for ur work Last edited by chrisleecool; Aug 23, 2004 at 12:17 AM.
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