I'm starting my headlight retrofit project. Got RX8 headlights and shrouds and a pair of 3rd Gen Euro Headlights off ebay.

I having trouble opening the headlights. I took off the 4 metal clips but cannot pry the glass front from the housing. I'm thinking of taking the dremel to it but thought I would ask for suggestions since I know some members have already done this retrofit.

What the best way to remove the housing from the fron glass fascia?

 

Perheps just a little bit of reading will be necessary considering you're asking this question, no pun intended.

From what I've heard, you set your oven at 250 for 5-10 minutes and bam your headlight should open up

 

I read about the oven method from various other retrofits. I just want to get more DETAILS for our headlights.

 

What kind of DETAILS?

 

Some of the retrofits threads say set oven to 400 and then put the lights in for about 5-8 minutes. Colombiamax say says it might be 250 for the oven temp.

Has anyone done this with the third gen headlights and is this the only method to take the lights apart?

 

Unless you wanna crack the plastic trying to get them open by prying. or see burn marks from a torch job. then yes. what you're doing is re-activating the adhesive which will release it from it's bond. it's the easiest way and if you WATCH it. then it won't burn.

Also. make sure you clean out the oven because plastic chemicals arn't really good for food :P

 

meh, 250-175 for 10-15 mins would be my suggestion. I know Colombianmax has retrofitted taillights and possibly headlights IIRC. I would just keep an eye on it in the oven and make sure it's not melting, and remove all the rubber/metal on it. Anything after 10 mins and you'll probably be able to pry it away with a flathead.

 

i just used a handheld heat gun and pryed it apart carefully with a screwdriver. wrap the tip with electrical tape so you don't chip the glass, and be really patient with the heat gun.

 

Thanks. I don't have a heat gun. Will go oven method. Will post some pics when done.

 

Take pic of your process, I may follow your lead.

 

 

Dude. he's just asking bout the deets.

 

heat guns are pretty cheap...
1. you can do it outside
2. you dont have to worry about the smell or cleaning the oven.
3. dont need to use heavy duty gloves
4. its easier (IMHO)

do like, 5 second laps until you think it'd be good to pry off

to re-apply just heat up the sealant 5sec. laps about 8 times then your good

5. You have an extra tool
6. profit

 

Is there a brand or wattage you would recommend?

 

no, lol heat is heat, is heat.

I used a cheap-o one, worked fine for meee

 

i did jon (columbianmax) heads and tails. I use 200 and leave the oven on. I usually leave them for 10-15 mins also.

 

I haven't done this, but why would you need to clean the oven after?
based on what I read, the only real thing the oven does is melt the adhesive, not the plastic.
unless it (the adhesive) drips off, then in that case, place aluminum foil on the bottom shelf, under each lamp.

 

Just because the plastic doesn't melt doesn't mean plastic particles arn't breaking off into the oven. which is very possible. Even if it doesn't harm you or kill you. A simple clean would make it much better conditions. almost like cleaning a aluminum can before you pop tha tab.

 

did mine with a heat gun and worked fine for me as well. still an on going project since i need to order a new set of CCFL angel rings cuz i broke one in the process of the installation. thats the only thing stopping me from finishing the whole retrofit project.

 

since you're using the ebay ones, practice on your old oem lights. i had to use more heat than was commonly recommended. it was probably around 325 degrees. do it in stages, though. if 200 doesn't work then turn it up a little. don't forget to place it on some foil so you don't ruin your oven. don't force it open because the glass WILL chip.

 

Thanks for the advice. I sold the stockers already. I already order the heat gun because I fear my wife would kill me if she smells the fumes from her beloved baking oven. If the heat gun does not do the job than well I will go oven method with the hood vent on hi.

 

If that doesnt work out and you dont chip the glass ( since it does chip easy) you can always send them to me and i can open them for ya.

 

Hmm. I'll take that into consideration. If things don't go as planned, I'll just send you the lights, projectors, shrouds.

Still waiting for my heat gun.

 

Im always here to help.

 

Heat gun came on wednesday. Last night I was able to pry the headlight open pretty easily. Did the first headlight with heat gun set to low. Took about 8-10 minutes of heating before I could easily pry it open with a screwdriver. I had 2 minor chips. No biggie.

On the second set I was more patient. Set the gun to high and after about 5 minutes I was able to separate the lens very easily from the body with a screwdriver. No chips at all.

Would definitley recommend this method. A plus also is that you do not have to remove all the plastics and the metal frame that the headlights sit in if you were to do the oven method. There was also a slight smell of burnt plastic but very little.

will take pics once lights are retrofitted.

 

Been Busy with work but finally done with some bling...

 

well done....shouldve added a amber led strip at the bottom for a blinker

 

His blinkers are still present... just blacked out... I know what you were thinking though cuz I thought the same thing at first... looks good man

 

What projectors did you use?

EDIT

my mistake for being an idiot

 

 

wow that looks really good...would of liked two projectors in there tho ;P

 

night pics?

 

+1 for night/cutoff pics

i'm not familiar with the output of the rx8 projectors

 

damn, didn't even realize you finished your retro. came out pretty sick but if it were me i would've done dual projectors instead of just one projector. but overall i think it looks bad ***. nice job.

 

i know the thread is kinda old but hey.

 

Thanks...will be redoing it this winter. I'm going to run the led strip on the bottom of the light instead of the top with an short amber strip on the side for indicators.

Also looking to do clear indicators to match the headlights with some wade covers. Right now they are blackout but I used a very bright LED bulb so the gets thru the tint easily.

 

While you at it. Is there a place we can see pictures of you car and mods. I smell MOTM.

 

If there are more request I will take some updated pics. She only gets to see daylight once a week if lucky. It's a shame but I ride my motorcycle and wife's subie more. That's what happens when you have kids but hey one day it will be theirs.

 

on the request for some more pics, that thing is sick!