Cleared the headlights & installed grills
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Harpers Ferry, WV
Cleared the headlights & installed grills
Spent several hours last night clearing my headlights and installing the 3 new billet grills. I took pics, but don't have time to get the posted this morning, but I will post.
I wound up using both the "break" and oven method for removing the amber lenses. The first headlight was going fine with using the screwdriver and hammer to break out the lense. But finally there was a stubborn piece of the tab that would not come out and was broken too low for me to reach.
So I switched to the 2nd light and knew this time to strike it closer to the tabs initally. No problems, got all the amber out.
Back to the 1st light and I popped it in the over (after removing the bulb and rubber boot) at 200 degrees for 10 minutes or so. The silicon loosened enough so I could pull apart the housing right at the amber lense. I used a small screwdriver to reach in and poke the underside of the tab and the final piece popped out. So I was able to just pull apart exactly where I needed and not pull apart the entire housing.
The silicone had hardened again, so I pull the light back in the oven for 5 minutes to soften it up so I could seal the housing again.
Was up till 2AM doing this and it took maybe 3 hours. Took some time to remove the bumper since it was my first time and was trying to be careful at the corner tabs along the headlights. Then clearing the lights took the longest and the grills were easy to install since I already had the bumper off. I mounted the two bottom inserts while the bumper was off and it made it very quick.
I wound up using both the "break" and oven method for removing the amber lenses. The first headlight was going fine with using the screwdriver and hammer to break out the lense. But finally there was a stubborn piece of the tab that would not come out and was broken too low for me to reach.
So I switched to the 2nd light and knew this time to strike it closer to the tabs initally. No problems, got all the amber out.
Back to the 1st light and I popped it in the over (after removing the bulb and rubber boot) at 200 degrees for 10 minutes or so. The silicon loosened enough so I could pull apart the housing right at the amber lense. I used a small screwdriver to reach in and poke the underside of the tab and the final piece popped out. So I was able to just pull apart exactly where I needed and not pull apart the entire housing.
The silicone had hardened again, so I pull the light back in the oven for 5 minutes to soften it up so I could seal the housing again.
Was up till 2AM doing this and it took maybe 3 hours. Took some time to remove the bumper since it was my first time and was trying to be careful at the corner tabs along the headlights. Then clearing the lights took the longest and the grills were easy to install since I already had the bumper off. I mounted the two bottom inserts while the bumper was off and it made it very quick.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Oklahoma
Nice, what color car do you have? Personally, I think the new grill would look good only on TCM, which is what I have, lol. And I too did the clear-corner thing last night, took about 2 hours (oven method as well).
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Team ScioNRG
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From: Harpers Ferry, WV
Yup, I have a TCM, so the grills do look sharp on it. And man, the clear headlights look SO much better without the nasty amber! :twisted:
I promise to have pics up later tonight. I just stopped back at home after being out all morning and have to run to Lowes for a bathroom sink and fixtures for my remodeling job. Then it's finishing off the bedroom and other house stuff. Man, moving to a new house keeps you busy with project. That's why I had to work on the Xb last night so late because it was the only time I had for it. And parts sitting in boxes sucks! :D
Now to find time for my truck which needs new Powerslot rotors, calipers (painted), new shocks and change the differential oil. Dunno when I can find that time!
I promise to have pics up later tonight. I just stopped back at home after being out all morning and have to run to Lowes for a bathroom sink and fixtures for my remodeling job. Then it's finishing off the bedroom and other house stuff. Man, moving to a new house keeps you busy with project. That's why I had to work on the Xb last night so late because it was the only time I had for it. And parts sitting in boxes sucks! :D
Now to find time for my truck which needs new Powerslot rotors, calipers (painted), new shocks and change the differential oil. Dunno when I can find that time!
.....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
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Team ScioNRG
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 199
From: Harpers Ferry, WV
Ok, I've posted my crap pics to my crap gallery! :D
The pics show the window tint on the sides and windshield, billet grills and cleared headlights (with chrome bulbs).
Now waiting for the moon eyes caps and something else that will be very cool. :twisted:
The pics show the window tint on the sides and windshield, billet grills and cleared headlights (with chrome bulbs).
Now waiting for the moon eyes caps and something else that will be very cool. :twisted:
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 498
From: Charlotte, NC
This clear lense thing makes old farts like me laugh, because 25 years or so ago amber turn signals were SO cool because that's what the European cars had. Guys with US spec German cars would spend extra to score blackmarket Euro spec amber lenses.
But, as has always been the case with car mods, the point is to have something that isn't just like all the other clones off the assembly line. So in a few years, after clear turn signals become standard, the pendulum will swing back anf guys will be trying to figure out how to get those _____in amber signals.
But, as has always been the case with car mods, the point is to have something that isn't just like all the other clones off the assembly line. So in a few years, after clear turn signals become standard, the pendulum will swing back anf guys will be trying to figure out how to get those _____in amber signals.