View Full Version : 6 Days old... tearing it appart!
WRXGuyInVegas
06-08-2006, 01:27 PM
I take it appart!! :lol:
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wMTI1NTU1MjZzNDEzZGZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
I decided to go ahead and clear the headlights... but then decided to black them out as well. I'm VERY VERY happy with how it turned out. I think it makes the Legacy look 10x better. They should do this from the factory!!!
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wMTI1NTU1MzZzNDEzZGZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
Here's a before and after...
Before!!!
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wMTI1MTI2NDZzNDEzZGZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
After...
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wMTI1NTU1NDZzNDEzZGZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wMTI1NTU1NjZzNDEzZGZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
What do you guys think? Next on the list... taillight tint, which gets here Friday!
(nasioc cross-post alert)
Since a few people have PM'ed me with questions... here's a DETAILED description on how to do it...
It's a piece of cake, don't sweat it!!!
Anything you "screw up" you can almost always fix. First, remove the headlights from the car. I'm sure you've seen the threads on it. It requires removing the bumper, but that's EASY EASY EASY!!!
There's only the little plastic clips holding it on, and they all pop off with no problem. Look for "Blackout headlight" in the DIY forum, for the thread.
When you have them out, take ALL the bulbs, and wiring off the back of the lights. Then, there's 4 or 5 little bolts to remove from the back of the housing. They're "torx" head screws. If you don't have a torx driver set, you can use needle nose vice grips, also. I'd recommend picking the torx driver up.
After that, you're ready to bake! Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees. Put a cookie sheet in the oven, with a towel of top of it. Place the headlight on the towel-covered cookie sheet.
Bake for 15 min.
Remove with gloves. Then, you just need to seperate the housing from the lens. Use a flat-head to pry the tabs appart, then just use muscle power to pry the housing appart.
Once it's appart, just disassemble everything inside. There's more torx bolts to undo, in order to get the shroud out. Once the shroud is out, just take the amber plastic reflector out. Then, tape off the reflection area of the turn signal, as well as tape off the chrome trim ring around the low-beam projector. You don't have to tape off the trim ring, but I think it looks ways better.
Once its all taped off, get some flat black paint (I suggest Krylon Ultra-Flat) and spray LIGHTLY a thin coat. Wait 5 min. Do it again.... wait 5 min.
The key is to do many light coats, not a few thick ones. It will have a VERY nice finish, and look perfect if you take your time. When you think you're done, take the piece, and put it under light. You'll probably find some spots where the chrome is shining through. Make sure to take your time!
Once that's all done, re-assemble the shroud into the housing, and basically just reverse every step. lightly press the two halves of the headlight together, and bake again, for 10 min. Take it out, and press together FIRMLY. You may also want to add a bead of silicon or something to the mating surface, to make sure it has a good seal.
Put all the bolts back in, put the wires all back on.
Put the headlights back in!!
Hope that helps!!
LegGTLT
06-08-2006, 01:32 PM
WOW! You weren't kiddin' when you said you were gonna go at it right away!!! :lol: Nicely done. I think this mod really does look best on the white. I love it on the red, but there's something to be said for the white. Ummm... why is your driver's side wheel dirty?!?!?! Ohhh noess!!!111 :lol: j/k! Looks great man. :D
I really want to get this done. I've got my bulbs and eyeline all ready to go...just haven't gotten around to it.
looks great dude. I did that to mine too. I love the blacked out look except on silver car.
*Jedimaster*
06-08-2006, 02:39 PM
You take it appart, I take it appart, we all take it appart.
crash
06-08-2006, 03:01 PM
So what did you use to mask off the parts you didn't want painted?
I've heard of a few people messing up the "chrome" sections while masking/unmasking....
Looks awesome by the way :)
Hanger
06-08-2006, 03:26 PM
Welcome!
So what did you use to mask off the parts you didn't want painted?
I've heard of a few people messing up the "chrome" sections while masking/unmasking....
Looks awesome by the way :)
when I did mine I used low adhesive blue painters 3m tape & had no problems with chrome peeling off
I've been debating whether to clear or black out my headlights on my 2006 white LGT. You just helped me make my decision. That looks flippin' sweet.
I've heard of a few people messing up the "chrome" sections while masking/unmasking...
yeah mud i learned that on his car when we did the halo install. masking tape pulls the paint and chrome right off pretty easily. never experienced that before.
I've been debating whether to clear or black out my headlights on my 2006 white LGT. You just helped me make my decision. That looks flippin' sweet.
just look at any white 05. looks 100000x better although i would not paint the turn signal like him. after painting muds chrome trim ring around the projector black after we modified it to fit halos i have to say that does look pretty good. if i didnt already do my xenon retro i would consider painting my trim piece dark charcoal like the rest of the 05 housing.
BLACKonBLACK Limited
06-08-2006, 06:30 PM
I wanna clear/blackout but i am afaid of effin up the chrome with masking tape. So i'll prolly just clear
Here are mine. I left some chrome in the turn signal so they'll actually reflect some light :lol:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Rcoxx/DSC00365.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Rcoxx/DSC00366.jpg
I wanna clear/blackout but i am afaid of effin up the chrome with masking tape. So i'll prolly just clear
LOW ADHESIVE 3M TAPE!!!
pillboy
06-08-2006, 07:28 PM
I don't think the blue tape is the low adhesion. I think it is white. The blue used to be known as "Long Mask"...meaning you could leave it on for up to 7 days without it leaving adhesive residue behind. They also make a green tape for use on "delicate" surfaces such as lacquer.
SWP-LegacyGT
06-08-2006, 07:29 PM
One word bro... don't get the tail tint on SWP. Just don't.
I don't think the blue tape is the low adhesion. I think it is white. The blue used to be known as "Long Mask"...meaning you could leave it on for up to 7 days without it leaving adhesive residue behind. They also make a green tape for use on "delicate" surfaces such as lacquer.
Maybe there are different kinds then. The tape I used is definitely blue.
WRXGuyInVegas
06-08-2006, 08:58 PM
One word bro... don't get the tail tint on SWP. Just don't.
I couldn't DISAGREE more... I just did... :)
Personally, again I think this looks BEST on white, or red... With the blacked headlights it really matches well. Plus, tinted windows next, and then flat black sti lip and some gunmetal Advan RS wheels and I'm done!
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wMTI1NTkzMzZzNDEzZGZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wMTI1NTkzMjZzNDEzZGZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
WRXGuyInVegas
06-08-2006, 09:01 PM
just look at any white 05. looks 100000x better although i would not paint the turn signal like him.
What makes you guys think I painted the turn signal?? :lol:
I taped it off, like everybody else!!!
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wMTI1NTkzNDZzNDEzZGZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
CasopoliS
06-08-2006, 09:22 PM
sweet looking car. I wish my engine bay was that clean. Loving the white. Such a clean look.
jsalicru
06-08-2006, 09:30 PM
Blue Painters tape is what I used also. I used it again when I fixed BOXRPWRs booboo on his headlights. Worked like a charm.
wukindada
06-08-2006, 09:59 PM
Great job....looks like mine:)
CreoSTi
06-09-2006, 02:22 AM
and I'm done!
It's never done... ;) :p
*sigh*
-Mike-
Gohmer1
06-09-2006, 06:35 AM
Now you need to paint the foglight surrounds black, ftw.
mkalbarc
06-09-2006, 09:40 AM
Dont like the tail tints with the little circle cut-outs... everything else looks nice!
heightsgtltd
06-09-2006, 09:47 AM
Dont like the tail tints with the little circle cut-outs... everything else looks nice!
I do, without the circle cutouts taillight tints can look way ricey.
IwannaSportSedan
06-09-2006, 09:56 AM
What paint are people using for this?
I really don't like the full chrome, and I would do EXACTLY the same thing to my headlights, as soon as feasible...
The black (painted actually looks DARKER than the natural dark plastic of the 05 headlights... darker is better.) is SOOO much sportier and agressive than chrome.
I was wondering if people were using painter's tape (which is low-tack... which is why you can peel it off after 7 days without residue.) or if people were using pinstripe-masking tape, or what... good information to know.
My next question is, what brand/type of paint.... do some work better than others, gloss, flat, semi-gloss, etc...
What sort of prep did you do... light scuffing? plastic bonding paint?
I love the blacked out side indicator look. with the parabolic part of the reflector left chrome for forward lighting, but the side facing surfaces blackened. The projector ring and of course the high beam reflector left untouched... Then with the little slit refractor left clear, it really makes the headlights look very cool. Very sinister.
I am also thinking that a black RBS/JDM-style or mesh-modified stock grille painted satin trim black, as well as the fog light pockets would really help the front end. Does anybody have experience painting these a non-gloss sheen of black? how'd it hold up?
BTW, +1 for the lightly smoked tail light tints without the circles. uniformly tinted looks nicer, IMHO... my only indecision there, is whether or not the reverse light should be tinted or cut out and clear... I'd actually want JDM tails, though anyway. clear/amber flashing indicators FTW... (Amber/Amber flashing indicators, like USDM wagons, FTL... indicator should dissappear when off, IMHO...)
I wish the tail light housings were easier to disassemble, like the headlights... I would just take them apart, and paint the chrome trim around the outside red... that is the only thing I don't like about them... The other option, I suppose, would be to mask the clear light section, and lightly prep and paint the outer lens red to acheive a similar effect.
Great job, WRXGuy. They look GREAT. Coxx, too.
BTW, don't worry about modding a new car... My mom bought my dad an old 1941 GM firetruck for his birthday last year... He had the body of the truck stripped down to the frame by the end of that day. It is still being restored... but it will be nice when it is done.
^^I used flat black hi-temp paint like you would use to re-paint a BBQ. I used blue low adhesive 3m painters tape to mask off the chrome. I sanded & primed the housings before I painted them. PM me if you have any more questions. I don't wanna hijack this guy's thread
WRXGuyInVegas
06-09-2006, 10:20 AM
I went with
Krylon: Ultra-Flat Black
You don't really need high-temp paint, the plastic doesn't get that hot. Also, the finish of the Krylon Flat-Black is VERY VERY smooth, and there's no imperfections at all.
Sanding is optional, I've done 4 sets WITHOUT sanding, and they've all held up fine over the years. I actually think that they look better if you dont sand them, because it makes for a more smooth finish painted over the completely perfect chrome plastic.
I used regular masking tape, but like others said, the blue painters tape works best. Also, I cut along the edge of the tape with a razor, after I painted them, to make sure the tape came up clean without taking paint with it...
^^you have an 06. I have an 05. The 05 housings were not chrome like the 06's.
WRXGuyInVegas
06-09-2006, 10:28 AM
^^you have an 06. I have an 05. The 05 housings were not chrome like the 06's.
Why the hell did they switch to chrome??
Looks way worse...
WRXGuyInVegas
06-09-2006, 11:28 AM
Oh... BTW...
That's a LOT of windshield washer fluid!!
IwannaSportSedan
06-09-2006, 11:59 AM
I always wondered why they went from all cars having black in 05, to all chrome in 06, and probably still in 07...
In Japan, and other places, the 2.0i and 2.0GT variants had black, and the 3.0R variants had chrome. The WR Limited and the Blitzen limited editions had matte silver painted headlight bezels, which also didn't look too bad.
I always thought that the 3.0 liter outbacks, and perhaps even 2.5i models in the US should have gotten the chrome headlights, and the Legacy GT and Spec B models should have kept the black headlights, for the sportier appearance, and an identifier for the turbocharged models, along with the hood scoop.
But more than one variation seems to be beyond SOA's willingness lately... :mad:
Why the hell did they switch to chrome??
Looks way worse...
06 they switched & I agree the chrome looks way worse. I only dig the chrome headlights on the silver cars. I had been buggin scans to black his out & good thing he didnt listen to me. His car looks sick with the cleared all chrome headlights + halos on the silver. EH, his car is just sick in general.
cobra commander
06-11-2006, 11:29 PM
damn that looks great!
PhiTauFord
06-11-2006, 11:37 PM
looks amazing . . . wanna come to NorCal to help me with mine?!? j/k. I wouldn't trust myself with anything other than debadging. Looks great!!
cobra commander
06-11-2006, 11:42 PM
looks amazing . . . wanna come to NorCal to help me with mine?!? j/k. I wouldn't trust myself with anything other than debadging. Looks great!!
+1 ... when i get my car hopefully someone will come to stockton or we can both meet up and get ours done. or you get yours done and you help me!:icon_lol:
BLACKonBLACK Limited
06-11-2006, 11:44 PM
06 they switched & I agree the chrome looks way worse. I only dig the chrome headlights on the silver cars. I had been buggin scans to black his out & good thing he didnt listen to me. His car looks sick with the cleared all chrome headlights + halos on the silver. EH, his car is just sick in general.
haha I'm gonna get him to blackout/clear/HID/Halo my headlights with me, no matter how much he resists
WRXGuyInVegas
06-11-2006, 11:54 PM
looks amazing . . . wanna come to NorCal to help me with mine?!? j/k. I wouldn't trust myself with anything other than debadging. Looks great!!
If you ever come to Vegas... I'll help for real. I did 3 sets this week!
My car, 2002 Lexus GS300, and a 2005 WRX
I've done 5 sets total. I think I've got it down to a science, now!!! :lol:
PhiTauFord
06-12-2006, 12:02 AM
^ thanks for the offer. I might be taking a road trip in the forseeable future :icon_chee:icon_chee
gfxdave99
06-12-2006, 12:24 AM
Night pix?
WRXGuyInVegas
06-12-2006, 12:25 AM
Night pix?
I'll get some this week...
looks good, too bad that's not an SRT-4 in your driveway!
WRXGuyInVegas
06-12-2006, 07:38 PM
looks good, too bad that's not an SRT-4 in your driveway!
That was a shitty rental car, that we had in place of our 2005 Jetta GLI that was stolen a month ago...
The Legacy replaced it.. :D
Thank god we returned that pile of crap last week!
2005garnetGT
06-14-2006, 08:58 AM
05 legacy having blacked out headlights stock ftw!
BLACKonBLACK Limited
06-14-2006, 10:24 AM
05 legacy having blacked out headlights stock ftw!
they are not really blacked out, this is why i am going to black out mine
Our 2005 Jetta GLI was stolen a month ago, that was a shitty car...
The Legacy replaced it.. :D
Thank god someone stole that pile of crap!
Fixed it for you.:lol:
WRXGuyInVegas
06-14-2006, 07:30 PM
Fixed it for you.:lol:
We actually REALLY liked the GLI... miss it... :(
WRXGuyInVegas
06-14-2006, 07:32 PM
05 legacy having blacked out headlights stock ftw!
Not the same look!!!
SchnellGTWagonL
08-05-2006, 02:17 PM
looks REAL nice!
the wagon will be getting this soon.
Th3Franz
08-05-2006, 11:00 PM
Cool. I think I'll clear my head lights and fix the cut-off shield when I get my HIDs. Maybe I'll get some tail light overlays too.
red beast
08-06-2006, 01:18 PM
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/423426/Sumonasioc1.jpg
MIKEBRAVO
08-06-2006, 02:09 PM
^lol. Lights look sweeet!
derffred
09-29-2006, 06:55 PM
One word bro... don't get the tail tint on SWP. Just don't.
that's way more than one word :lol:
derffred
09-29-2006, 06:56 PM
anyone from jersey want to help me tackle this "project"?
zmarko
09-30-2006, 12:59 PM
Wow. Awesome. You should do this as a side business! lol. You could be our "EVOdave" for this forum.
PLTek
09-30-2006, 09:43 PM
cool
I wanna do this too. if you check out subastyles "old" car:icon_wink his are blacked out, but also the top part of the projector is blacked out too. looks pretty sweet.