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Head Light Painting / Removal

DIY - Headlight Painting / Removal

This DIY is for informational purposes only. Proceeding to modify your vehicle using this DIY is done at your own risk and I am not responsible for the outcome. Always proceed with caution when modifying anything on your car.

Notes: Portions of this DIY are in work. I repainted these to do this DIY, also the halos and white wires are not OEM.  Do not worry about them.

Tools Needed:

10mm 3/8 DR Socket
3/8 DR Rachet
Flat Head Screw Driver
Philips Screw Driver
Oven

Parts Needed:

 Sand Paper (220, 400 & 600 Grit)
Painters Tape
Paint (High Temperature paint for plastics is recommened along with a High Temperature primer)

The Process:

Step 1: So once you have removed the front bumper you will need to dismount the headlights from the car .. Simply remove the 4 or 5 10mm bolts holding the housing in.

Step 2: Then disconnect the harness from the car

Step 3: Next you need to remove the light housing ( and bulbs ) NOTE: The white wires pictured are for another project .. The headlight bulbs are held in by snap metal brackets upper and lower.  The turn signal and running light simply twist out.

Step 4: Now preheat your oven to 220 on BAKE not broil!  Set the timer for 15 minutes. Place cardboard or tinfoil down so the headlight is not going to touch any part of the oven.  Be very careful they will melt ! I have personally had this experience and it is a costly one.  It will be fine as long as long as the headlight is not touching the oven directly.

Step 5: Once the time is up quickly remove the headlight using oven mitts or towels the light will be hot.  Remember time is the essence you want to keep the sealant hot so it is pliable.  Using the flat head began to pry at the edges of the lens and housing, but be careful not to bend or break any tabs.  It should come off relatively easy. Once you have the clear lens separated from the black housing you will need a philips screwdriver to remove the screws holding bezel and chrome reflectors.

Step 6: Now the sanding begins.  First off you do not want to paint the Reflectors that are connected to the black housing it will make your headlights very dim and dangerous .. People have so many different views on how to proper paint these I am just going to explain a simple quick way .. The more sanding, prepping, and better paint... the better the product but to the average enthusiast this should be adequate .. You can do all this with 220 to 400 to 600 .. Make sure you remove the turn signal housing tape off the front orange lens .. Here are some pictures the process is below: V

Start Sanding both with 220 .. Then 400 .. Now clean them with soap and water or alchol .. Allow time to dry then use High temp primer with 1 or 2 light coats .. Then sand with 600 lightly to make them very smooth .. then paint with your High Temp colored paint.

Once you have finished painting allow them to dry for 15-20 minutes and then put the painted parts back in the oven 10 minutes on BAKE and 220 degress.  By doing this it will allow the paint to cure.  If you don't put them in the oven and just put them back in the headlight housing and back in the oven it may cause a yellowing on the lens from gases being released in the paint ruining you headlights!

The Final Product:

Resources:

FRONT BUMPER REMOVAL

Special Thanks To:

Heist on G35Driver.com for compiling information into DIY
XDR-V35 on G35Driver.com/MY350Z.com for detailing information on DIY