DIY: clearing out headlights??
06-17-2006, 08:11 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 22
DIY: clearing out headlights??
So I've been looking to "clear out" my headlights but I'm not exactly sure how. I've heard somewhere it involves an oven or something and will this work on other parts. I also looked through some old forums and could'nt find anything. Please someone help me.
thanks
thanks
06-17-2006, 08:40 PM
#3
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tampa/Brandon, FL
Posts: 258
Two ways to remove the reflector:
1. The oven method (will out line below).
2. The "crush the reflector" method found here: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5078
You run the chance of particles of reflector remaining inside your headlight AND possibly damaging the lense and whatnot. I tried this and ended up doing the oven method anyways since there were TONS of tiny bits of reflector inside the headlight.
The oven method. We just did this today to paint the headlights and remove the reflector:
1. Remove headlights from car.
2. Remove rubber protector for the halogen light, remove bulb, remove turn signal, and remove the two white/clear plastic vent covers from each light.
3. Preheat oven to about 170-200 degrees.
STEPS 4-7 should be done one light at a time:
4. Place headlight in oven for approx 10-minutes.
5. Remove from oven (careful...it is hot!). Gently take a small flat head screwdriver and work the seam between the main plastic housing and the clear lense. DON'T TRY TO PRY THE LENSE OUT...YOU COULD BREAK IT!! The idea here is to break the seal.
6. The best way to attack the separation of the lense from the housing is to grab onto the side where the turn signal is. I have found this gives you the best amount of grip. At this point you may need to throw it back into the oven for a few more minutes to soften up the adhesive material.
7. Use common sense when separating lense from housing. Be mindful of the plastic tabs and whatnot.
8. Repeat with other light.
9. If all goes well, you should have the lense separate from the housing. A single phillips head screw holds the turnsignal lense inside the clear plastic lense. Remove this and the turn signal thingy.
10. At this point you should be able to see how the reflector is inserted. It pretty much slides right out. Be gentle...you don't want to risk damaging the turn signal housing. You will also notice lots of gooey sealant. Try not to get any of this inside the lense as it is a pain in the ___ to get off. You'll want to set the lense aside in a clean area where dust cannot get inside the lense AND contaminates cannot get into the warm/soft sealant.
11. At this time, you may want to consider painting the inside of the lense....or not.
REASSEMBLY:
12. Replace turn signal lense and insert screw.
13. If you turned off the oven...turn it on again to 170-200 degrees.
14. Place the two halves back together but DO NOT press them all the way together.
15. Place it into the oven for about 10 minutes.
16. Remove from oven and firmly press the lense into the housing. Be mindful that all clips are secured again.
17. Repeat steps 14-16 with the other light.
Done correctly, you shouldn't experience any fogging issues. Depending on how mechanically inclined you are, this probably shouldn't take longer than about an hour after the lights are removed from the car.
1. The oven method (will out line below).
2. The "crush the reflector" method found here: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5078
You run the chance of particles of reflector remaining inside your headlight AND possibly damaging the lense and whatnot. I tried this and ended up doing the oven method anyways since there were TONS of tiny bits of reflector inside the headlight.
The oven method. We just did this today to paint the headlights and remove the reflector:
1. Remove headlights from car.
2. Remove rubber protector for the halogen light, remove bulb, remove turn signal, and remove the two white/clear plastic vent covers from each light.
3. Preheat oven to about 170-200 degrees.
STEPS 4-7 should be done one light at a time:
4. Place headlight in oven for approx 10-minutes.
5. Remove from oven (careful...it is hot!). Gently take a small flat head screwdriver and work the seam between the main plastic housing and the clear lense. DON'T TRY TO PRY THE LENSE OUT...YOU COULD BREAK IT!! The idea here is to break the seal.
6. The best way to attack the separation of the lense from the housing is to grab onto the side where the turn signal is. I have found this gives you the best amount of grip. At this point you may need to throw it back into the oven for a few more minutes to soften up the adhesive material.
7. Use common sense when separating lense from housing. Be mindful of the plastic tabs and whatnot.
8. Repeat with other light.
9. If all goes well, you should have the lense separate from the housing. A single phillips head screw holds the turnsignal lense inside the clear plastic lense. Remove this and the turn signal thingy.
10. At this point you should be able to see how the reflector is inserted. It pretty much slides right out. Be gentle...you don't want to risk damaging the turn signal housing. You will also notice lots of gooey sealant. Try not to get any of this inside the lense as it is a pain in the ___ to get off. You'll want to set the lense aside in a clean area where dust cannot get inside the lense AND contaminates cannot get into the warm/soft sealant.
11. At this time, you may want to consider painting the inside of the lense....or not.
REASSEMBLY:
12. Replace turn signal lense and insert screw.
13. If you turned off the oven...turn it on again to 170-200 degrees.
14. Place the two halves back together but DO NOT press them all the way together.
15. Place it into the oven for about 10 minutes.
16. Remove from oven and firmly press the lense into the housing. Be mindful that all clips are secured again.
17. Repeat steps 14-16 with the other light.
Done correctly, you shouldn't experience any fogging issues. Depending on how mechanically inclined you are, this probably shouldn't take longer than about an hour after the lights are removed from the car.
06-17-2006, 08:42 PM
#4
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SL Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 486
i think you can use an oven and pry open the seal, but then you would have to make sure to seal it up good, might get leaks.
the way i did mine was take the headlights off, set them down on something soft, stick a screwdriver in and CAREFULLY hammer it to break the amber part off. be careful not to scratch the lens. turn it over and shake out all the pieces.
the part of the amber that is still clipped in place will need to be tapped out with the screwdriver and hammer.
angle the screwdriver so when you tap it with the hammer you kind of push the amber piece out of the clip.
hard to explain. only took about half an hour.
the way i did mine was take the headlights off, set them down on something soft, stick a screwdriver in and CAREFULLY hammer it to break the amber part off. be careful not to scratch the lens. turn it over and shake out all the pieces.
the part of the amber that is still clipped in place will need to be tapped out with the screwdriver and hammer.
angle the screwdriver so when you tap it with the hammer you kind of push the amber piece out of the clip.
hard to explain. only took about half an hour.
06-21-2006, 12:17 PM
#8
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Team ScionEyed
SL Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,122
I did the oven method.
bake each headlight at 250 for 10 min, that get's the goo all nice and maliable.
Then I used some GE Silicone II (black), to reseal the lights. Just press back together, and voila.
bake each headlight at 250 for 10 min, that get's the goo all nice and maliable.
Then I used some GE Silicone II (black), to reseal the lights. Just press back together, and voila.
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