Who's interested in opening 04+ headlights

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by patrob

So is that mean you were able to open them up??

I am trying to see if anyone had any luck opening up 03 headlight?? (dated 08/2003)

Yes, I was able to open them. For the '03 maybe you should be the pioneer.

Originally Posted by ZsX5o3

wow nice job? that's pretty epic if you did do it..

Anything can be done if you put your mind to it. From my experience, I can tell you that it's almost impossible to do it with some chemical/solvent that eats or softens the sealant. I'm prepared to backup this statement later with pics. It will be easier to understand what I mean.

I opened them, yes, but it requires a lot of work and mods to the housing as it requires cutting. I'm planning on doing a DIY write-up but not until I'm ready.

[ZsX5o3]

nice

[patrob]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Yes, I was able to open them. For the '03 maybe you should be the pioneer.

Anything can be done if you put your mind to it. From my experience, I can tell you that it's almost impossible to do it with some chemical/solvent that eats or softens the sealant. I'm prepared to backup this statement later with pics. It will be easier to understand what I mean.

I opened them, yes, but it requires a lot of work and mods to the housing as it requires cutting. I'm planning on doing a DIY write-up but not until I'm ready.

That's great to hear, so there is hope for mine

Can't wait for the DIY write up

[jayjay_dee]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

I was looking over my old headlights the other night and all of a sudden these popped into my hands somehow:



Wonder how that happenned?

good job jose! this is first for face lifted X... euro look here we come...

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by jayjay04x5

good job jose! this is first for face lifted X... euro look here we come...

Thanks! I never noticed before but the euro turn signal lense is actually different than the amber lense (other than color obviously). They have horizontal creases that go through the whole lense as opposed to the amber lense only has the pattern on half the lense.

It doesn't really matter much as it will be painted over but thought I'd mention it. I'm deliberating what color to paint the amber lense. I was thinking:

- flat or semi-gloss black
- pearl white
- gloss black with blue metal flake
- hyper silver
- chrome paint (this would be the pick if you wanted the look of euro clears)

BTW .. I'm planning on selling these once I'm done (since I already have the euro headlights) so that's why I'm not sure of the color. I'm just experimenting. However, I also don't have any problems keeping them but it seems a shame to go through all the work and not have them used! Hahahaha!

[ZsX5o3]

wow nice job? that's pretty epic if you did do it..

[mrbmwx5]

congrats. now you know what mean that i can open it.




#12 11-05-2008, 04:37 PM
TwinsPoppa
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Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 212

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrbmwx5
if you guys trusted me, send me your lights i open it and clear the ambers for free.


Man, I'll take you up on your offer if you can do the 04+ headlights. Just want them opened neatly so I can mod them. I'll take care of putting it back together.

I'll send you a PM later. Thanks for the offer - that's mighty nice of you!

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

congrats. now you know what mean that i can open it.




#12 11-05-2008, 04:37 PM
TwinsPoppa
Premier Member


SAV

Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 212

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrbmwx5
if you guys trusted me, send me your lights i open it and clear the ambers for free.


Man, I'll take you up on your offer if you can do the 04+ headlights. Just want them opened neatly so I can mod them. I'll take care of putting it back together.

I'll send you a PM later. Thanks for the offer - that's mighty nice of you!

Yeah, I do remember that. I just decided ... eh, it'll be a nice adventure.

That's great ... now we can compare notes. Hey, maybe you found an easier/better way of opening the lights. I wouldn't be surprised as I tried several techniques. However, I guess you already knew, that there's really no way getting around cutting the housing (unless you want it to look like crap).

[kwalk]

TwinsPoppa, or anyone else else that can help. I know this is an old thread, but did you ever do that write up? I have information overload, but I really would like to try to open up my original headlights on an 03. I want to add the AE rings. I've heard that I cannot bake them or heat them (bought a heat gun especially for this). Any easy ways of doing this? Would using a dremel be the only way? Btw, I'm a chic so could you explain in layman's terms? Thanks in advance!

[Ricky Bobby]

How much patience do you have? It's possible, but you are going to need a ton of patience and time.

If you go at them with a heat gun and no oven, rest assured you will mangle the housing and or ruin them in the process.

I would bake them at 210 degrees for about 30 minutes or so just to get the housing warm, wear gloves, and take them out of the oven. Take a utility knife and cut the sealant between the channel and the lens, go around the whole lens. If you can take a small pick or something to get under the lens to the sealant on the bottom side of the channel (part of the black housing that the lens rests in), and pry a little bit, you may be able to get it in an opening.

You most likely will need to heat up the housing with several baking sessions at low heat but you probably can get them open. I don't have the patience for it however.

You can cut them open with a dremel but you will need a damn good adhesive for re-sealing everything.