Headlight housing material
Headlight housing material
I've had to cut up a couple headlights over the past couple days and used an angle grinder with a cutting wheel. The material turns to a fine dust opposed to melting into easily controllable shavings as with most plastic. I wore a respirator, and cleaned up as much as possible but I'm sure I've inhaled some as well. They are extremely fine particles, it was like 9/11 went down in the garage.
I'm now a little paranoid that it's an asbestos material. From what I've read, Nissan vowed to stop using parts that contain asbestos in 1994, which is just wonderful for us. Hopefully the parts are limited to what internet searches mention, which are brake pads, clutches and engine bay liners. Regardless of what it is, breathing it can't be healthy. It's about the consistency of Bondo dust. The material reminds me of a floor tile or something, which is where the paranoia comes into play.
Is this a legit concern or am I just a nut?
I'm now a little paranoid that it's an asbestos material. From what I've read, Nissan vowed to stop using parts that contain asbestos in 1994, which is just wonderful for us. Hopefully the parts are limited to what internet searches mention, which are brake pads, clutches and engine bay liners. Regardless of what it is, breathing it can't be healthy. It's about the consistency of Bondo dust. The material reminds me of a floor tile or something, which is where the paranoia comes into play.
Is this a legit concern or am I just a nut?
I was doing some headlight cutting 4 years ago and didn't die from the dust. I wasn't snorting lines or anything, but I didn't even have a respirator. I think it's just plastic that isn't the same formulation as the melty kind on newer replacement headlights... like what I had for my bixenon retro on the Z.
BTW... that yellow wire you had inside your car behind the dashboard.... did you ever get around to doing anything with that (whatever it was for)?
BTW... that yellow wire you had inside your car behind the dashboard.... did you ever get around to doing anything with that (whatever it was for)?
It's probably not likely they would be making headlight housings out of asbestos in the early 90's. But I could see manufacturers being paranoid about fireproofing things in the engine bay. Good to know you're still alive, I was beginning to wonder..
I remember you pointing out those wires in an old thread. I ran 3 for future use, I think I've used two. As far as custom wiring goes, I have about a mile of it in my car. And yes, it's all being put to good use
I remember you pointing out those wires in an old thread. I ran 3 for future use, I think I've used two. As far as custom wiring goes, I have about a mile of it in my car. And yes, it's all being put to good use
when I was doing my projector retro I had to shave some of the original 9004 hole and dealt with this dust then...I had one end of a mini shop vac inside the headlight while I was drilling/shaving from the other side...worked quite well.
Why did you have to cut-up the headlights? Doing a retrofit?
They seem like normal plastic to me, I'd highly doubt they have asbestos. I've cut-up/grinded a lot of plastic stuff over the years that behaved the same way. It seems plastic either does what you described or just melts and wraps around your cut-off wheel and makes a huge mess
I had to cut-up my stock bumper some last weekend to fit my intercooler piping. Boy, talk about some fumes. That's the most fume-y auto plastic smell I can recall fooling with. It gave me a headache and sore throat almost instantly. I did the same to the bumper on my old VE 6 years ago and don't remember it being so toxic seeming. Surely they're the same material though.
I'm pretty resigned to the fact that I'm going to have lung cancer or something. Nearly 15+ years of painting/welding/cutting/grinding all with no respirator. I usually sneeze out silver boogers and have silver snot for a few days after metal fab work now. At least these days I wear eye protection. Nothing like metal shavings in the eyes
Anyway unless you have a legit full-on respirator, wearing those face masks like doctors use are completely pointless, but you probably already knew that
They seem like normal plastic to me, I'd highly doubt they have asbestos. I've cut-up/grinded a lot of plastic stuff over the years that behaved the same way. It seems plastic either does what you described or just melts and wraps around your cut-off wheel and makes a huge mess
I had to cut-up my stock bumper some last weekend to fit my intercooler piping. Boy, talk about some fumes. That's the most fume-y auto plastic smell I can recall fooling with. It gave me a headache and sore throat almost instantly. I did the same to the bumper on my old VE 6 years ago and don't remember it being so toxic seeming. Surely they're the same material though.
I'm pretty resigned to the fact that I'm going to have lung cancer or something. Nearly 15+ years of painting/welding/cutting/grinding all with no respirator. I usually sneeze out silver boogers and have silver snot for a few days after metal fab work now. At least these days I wear eye protection. Nothing like metal shavings in the eyes
Anyway unless you have a legit full-on respirator, wearing those face masks like doctors use are completely pointless, but you probably already knew that
It's probably not likely they would be making headlight housings out of asbestos in the early 90's. But I could see manufacturers being paranoid about fireproofing things in the engine bay. Good to know you're still alive, I was beginning to wonder..
I remember you pointing out those wires in an old thread. I ran 3 for future use, I think I've used two. As far as custom wiring goes, I have about a mile of it in my car. And yes, it's all being put to good use
I remember you pointing out those wires in an old thread. I ran 3 for future use, I think I've used two. As far as custom wiring goes, I have about a mile of it in my car. And yes, it's all being put to good use
Why did you have to cut-up the headlights? Doing a retrofit?
They seem like normal plastic to me, I'd highly doubt they have asbestos. I've cut-up/grinded a lot of plastic stuff over the years that behaved the same way. It seems plastic either does what you described or just melts and wraps around your cut-off wheel and makes a huge mess
I had to cut-up my stock bumper some last weekend to fit my intercooler piping. Boy, talk about some fumes. That's the most fume-y auto plastic smell I can recall fooling with. It gave me a headache and sore throat almost instantly. I did the same to the bumper on my old VE 6 years ago and don't remember it being so toxic seeming. Surely they're the same material though.
I'm pretty resigned to the fact that I'm going to have lung cancer or something. Nearly 15+ years of painting/welding/cutting/grinding all with no respirator. I usually sneeze out silver boogers and have silver snot for a few days after metal fab work now. At least these days I wear eye protection. Nothing like metal shavings in the eyes
Anyway unless you have a legit full-on respirator, wearing those face masks like doctors use are completely pointless, but you probably already knew that
They seem like normal plastic to me, I'd highly doubt they have asbestos. I've cut-up/grinded a lot of plastic stuff over the years that behaved the same way. It seems plastic either does what you described or just melts and wraps around your cut-off wheel and makes a huge mess
I had to cut-up my stock bumper some last weekend to fit my intercooler piping. Boy, talk about some fumes. That's the most fume-y auto plastic smell I can recall fooling with. It gave me a headache and sore throat almost instantly. I did the same to the bumper on my old VE 6 years ago and don't remember it being so toxic seeming. Surely they're the same material though.
I'm pretty resigned to the fact that I'm going to have lung cancer or something. Nearly 15+ years of painting/welding/cutting/grinding all with no respirator. I usually sneeze out silver boogers and have silver snot for a few days after metal fab work now. At least these days I wear eye protection. Nothing like metal shavings in the eyes
Anyway unless you have a legit full-on respirator, wearing those face masks like doctors use are completely pointless, but you probably already knew that
Note dust on my hand
I had to do the same for my Z31 retro as well (mini projectors in what turned out to be a bad choice in aftermarket headlight housings)
So you managed to get some "euro clear" glass lenses before they fell off the face of the earth?
I've been wanting to do true projectors for forever now but the clear glass lenses are literally non-existent. Guess I'll just have to use clear plastic Wade covers like on my E36 conversion. My current clear Wade setup has held up great for going on 10 years now but would really like glass this time around.
So Hectic is doing the same thing and ALSO managed to get a set of clear glass lenses?
Jealous
I've been wanting to do true projectors for forever now but the clear glass lenses are literally non-existent. Guess I'll just have to use clear plastic Wade covers like on my E36 conversion. My current clear Wade setup has held up great for going on 10 years now but would really like glass this time around.
So Hectic is doing the same thing and ALSO managed to get a set of clear glass lenses?
Jealous
So you managed to get some "euro clear" glass lenses before they fell off the face of the earth?
I've been wanting to do true projectors for forever now but the clear glass lenses are literally non-existent. Guess I'll just have to use clear plastic Wade covers like on my E36 conversion. My current clear Wade setup has held up great for going on 10 years now but would really like glass this time around.
So Hectic is doing the same thing and ALSO managed to get a set of clear glass lenses? Jealous
I've been wanting to do true projectors for forever now but the clear glass lenses are literally non-existent. Guess I'll just have to use clear plastic Wade covers like on my E36 conversion. My current clear Wade setup has held up great for going on 10 years now but would really like glass this time around.
So Hectic is doing the same thing and ALSO managed to get a set of clear glass lenses?
Jealoushttp://www.2kracing.com/Product/16268
http://www.2kracing.com/Product/16267
goodguywookiee.jpg
i just placed an order for the black ones.. i'll let you guys know how it turns out. Maybe they're out of stock and will give me a refund (à-la z31 Suspension Tech springs), or i'll actually receive them. Let's hope for the best.
i just placed an order for the black ones.. i'll let you guys know how it turns out. Maybe they're out of stock and will give me a refund (à-la z31 Suspension Tech springs), or i'll actually receive them. Let's hope for the best.
granted I didn't only buy them to be able to tell you guys whether or not they are truly still available.... i've been putting off doing a retro for my Maxima so if they're really in stock then I'll finally be able to get off dat azz and do my retro. Cuz my driver side headlight face is cracked and there's .... stuff growing inside my headlight.
I wish you luck but I would be floored if you don't just run into this:
http://forums.maxima.org/1st-3rd-gen...eadlights.html
I predict you're just acting as a de facto inventory weeding service like I did for so long.
Please let me know if by some miracle you get any. I've got money burning a hole in my pocket for them.
*edit* and the frustrating part of all this is that there HAS to be dozens of these unsold in warehouses somewhere. I just can't manage to get to them
http://forums.maxima.org/1st-3rd-gen...eadlights.html
I predict you're just acting as a de facto inventory weeding service like I did for so long.
Please let me know if by some miracle you get any. I've got money burning a hole in my pocket for them.
*edit* and the frustrating part of all this is that there HAS to be dozens of these unsold in warehouses somewhere. I just can't manage to get to them
I wish you luck but I would be floored if you don't just run into this:
http://forums.maxima.org/1st-3rd-gen...eadlights.html
I predict you're just acting as a de facto inventory weeding service like I did for so long.
Please let me know if by some miracle you get any. I've got money burning a hole in my pocket for them.
*edit* and the frustrating part of all this is that there HAS to be dozens of these unsold in warehouses somewhere. I just can't manage to get to them
http://forums.maxima.org/1st-3rd-gen...eadlights.html
I predict you're just acting as a de facto inventory weeding service like I did for so long.
Please let me know if by some miracle you get any. I've got money burning a hole in my pocket for them.
*edit* and the frustrating part of all this is that there HAS to be dozens of these unsold in warehouses somewhere. I just can't manage to get to them
ALSO... they have another brand "Spyder" at the same store... if they call and ask me "do you want a refund or an alternative" i'll ask them about those.
http://www.2kracing.com/Category/Nis...eadlights.html (filter by one of the 3rd gen's years)
http://www.2kracing.com/Product/15542.html
http://www.2kracing.com/Product/15543.html
I'm sure they were/are all just made by a single manufacturer (looked like Carro Pacific as best I could tell), sold under these various names (Option Racing, Spyder, etc).
Spyder doesn't even have any listings for the 3rd gen in their catalog so they're obviously discontinued under that label. Would be shocked if an online vendor had any physical stock and didn't just drop ship. Drop shipping is likely the rule rather than the exception.
I'll keep my fingers crossed regardless
Spyder doesn't even have any listings for the 3rd gen in their catalog so they're obviously discontinued under that label. Would be shocked if an online vendor had any physical stock and didn't just drop ship. Drop shipping is likely the rule rather than the exception.
I'll keep my fingers crossed regardless
It doesnt matter which your order (black or chrome) because if you actually do get them. The brackets/housings are not the same as OEM. you need to use a stock bracket (at least, if not the housing as well, as i did) if you want to have an OEM fit. when they made those brackets the holes that bolt to the fender are in the wrong spot, ever so slightly off but it fudges up the corner light fitment
Well James, I need a new set of clear glass without the 'triple nipple', so i can have a pair that works with the headlamp wipers...should you get refunded again we need to find a way to have these made again; with a completely smooth face (not sure why they didnt get rid of the nipples)...I realize it sounds like a stretch, but I for one am not willing to go plastic in order to use the wipers
Just stating that I myself, you, maximan, and others that werent fortunate enough to acquire a pair of the ebay clears, I think could be persuaded to throw down. It seems only the OGs are left around here....Also, the shear number of people driving around with these that still have 9004 bulbs in them is depressing, then theres guys like James and others that want to do sick retrofits and all they have is Wade covers...
These were made once...they can be made again. somehow..
Just stating that I myself, you, maximan, and others that werent fortunate enough to acquire a pair of the ebay clears, I think could be persuaded to throw down. It seems only the OGs are left around here....Also, the shear number of people driving around with these that still have 9004 bulbs in them is depressing, then theres guys like James and others that want to do sick retrofits and all they have is Wade covers...
These were made once...they can be made again. somehow..
It doesnt matter which your order (black or chrome) because if you actually do get them. The brackets/housings are not the same as OEM. you need to use a stock bracket (at least, if not the housing as well, as i did) if you want to have an OEM fit. when they made those brackets the holes that bolt to the fender are in the wrong spot, ever so slightly off but it fudges up the corner light fitment
IDK you just said that as if there was some expectation that one color would come with different brackets than the other.. Maybe I that read wrong.
Well James, I need a new set of clear glass without the 'triple nipple', so i can have a pair that works with the headlamp wipers...should you get refunded again we need to find a way to have these made again; with a completely smooth face (not sure why they didnt get rid of the nipples)...I realize it sounds like a stretch, but I for one am not willing to go plastic in order to use the wipers
Just stating that I myself, you, maximan, and others that werent fortunate enough to acquire a pair of the ebay clears, I think could be persuaded to throw down. It seems only the OGs are left around here....Also, the shear number of people driving around with these that still have 9004 bulbs in them is depressing, then theres guys like James and others that want to do sick retrofits and all they have is Wade covers...
These were made once...they can be made again. somehow..
Just stating that I myself, you, maximan, and others that werent fortunate enough to acquire a pair of the ebay clears, I think could be persuaded to throw down. It seems only the OGs are left around here....Also, the shear number of people driving around with these that still have 9004 bulbs in them is depressing, then theres guys like James and others that want to do sick retrofits and all they have is Wade covers...
These were made once...they can be made again. somehow..
Just went to OEM bracket with OEM housing so I knew Id have OEM fit.
http://forums.maxima.org/3rd-generat...tor-retro.html
I guess if you like the chrome/black look and its a must to keep it then order those. (i first liked that look, but decided against it) Mainly I was just stating that youre going to want to ditch the aftermarket bracket. thats what to take away from my post.
I was more mad that I was losing the minty new adjuster gears/***** from the aftermarket brackets than anything else..
also. make sure you get rid of all the grey butyl from the glass (use mineral spirits) and use black butyl. looks 1,000,000X better.
if there were ever a repro-run of these it would only make sense to make them already with projectors so people could choose to run either a bulb, or a HID kit. H1 base or something.. flip-shield for high beams. Similar to 6th gen maxima i guess, cuz it has single-bulb-dual-purpose regardless if halogen or HID.
Last edited by DMad8724; Mar 1, 2013 at 02:52 PM.
Well, when I noticed the error in the bracket: I ditched the entire bracket/housing. I didnt bother taking apart everything so I could use the "black/chrome housing"
Just went to OEM bracket with OEM housing so I knew Id have OEM fit.
http://forums.maxima.org/3rd-generat...tor-retro.html
I guess if you like the chrome/black look and its a must to keep it then order those. (i first liked that look, but decided against it) Mainly I was just stating that youre going to want to ditch the aftermarket bracket. thats what to take away from my post.
I was more mad that I was losing the minty new adjuster gears/***** from the aftermarket brackets than anything else..
also. make sure you get rid of all the grey butyl from the glass (use mineral spirits) and use black butyl. looks 1,000,000X better.
Just went to OEM bracket with OEM housing so I knew Id have OEM fit.
http://forums.maxima.org/3rd-generat...tor-retro.html
I guess if you like the chrome/black look and its a must to keep it then order those. (i first liked that look, but decided against it) Mainly I was just stating that youre going to want to ditch the aftermarket bracket. thats what to take away from my post.
I was more mad that I was losing the minty new adjuster gears/***** from the aftermarket brackets than anything else..
also. make sure you get rid of all the grey butyl from the glass (use mineral spirits) and use black butyl. looks 1,000,000X better.
Last edited by CapedCadaver; Mar 2, 2013 at 12:32 AM.
but yea i would be doing mine just like yours except i would also tint the metal shrouds around the projector lens, so it didn't stick out form the "black chrome" backdrop. So it would all be kinda black chrome-ish metal and then just the lens in the middle.
I am also in for a pair. Either black or chrome or even if its just the glass.. and with or without the 3 nipples on the front (though I'd prefer them without, like DMad is wanting) I am looking to do a single bi-xenon retro
Any word on this? Did you get an order cancellation/refund/email that they're no longer available yet?
a few "no" answers so far, but haven't heard back from everyone... i also emailed spyder directly so i'm curious if they'll give the standard "not enough demand" despite me saying "there is demand".
they don't show it in their catalog. they don't have the listing on their system.
they do not sell them nor do they plan on selling them in the future.
so that's it gents...what's out there is what's left.
james...why not get this and start sanding that lense? it says it's plastic.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEFT-SIDE-HE...ec3dd4&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEFT-SIDE-HE...ec3dd4&vxp=mtr
James wants glass. Its quite the difference between glass and plastic in the final look.
I have an some extra headlight glass but if were not talking about getting rid of the nipples then im less inclined to want to "experiment"
I have an some extra headlight glass but if were not talking about getting rid of the nipples then im less inclined to want to "experiment"
my idea for deleting the flutes was to bond something to them... consider the following:
and in the course of screwing around with a gauge cluster years ago, I had taped the little warning light panel on with some packing tape, and some of it wrapped around and showed on the front. And what I noticed was that when that light lit up, the packing tape stuck to the translucent light cover actually made it fully translucent to the point that i could clearly see the bulb filament, whereas all the other light covers were still diffracting the light.
So i tried the same thing on some sanded/scuffed tailllights, and to my surprise, the packing tape made the scuffed surface look totally clear/smooth again.
Now i have no intention on using packing tape on anything again but my thoughts were, if the same principle works on small objects, then couldn't you, say, cast some polycarbonate onto the backside where the fluting is, and end up with a clear non-fluted finished product? Maybe it would only work with like materials (ie casting extra PC over existing PC in the case of plastic headlights).
and in the course of screwing around with a gauge cluster years ago, I had taped the little warning light panel on with some packing tape, and some of it wrapped around and showed on the front. And what I noticed was that when that light lit up, the packing tape stuck to the translucent light cover actually made it fully translucent to the point that i could clearly see the bulb filament, whereas all the other light covers were still diffracting the light.
So i tried the same thing on some sanded/scuffed tailllights, and to my surprise, the packing tape made the scuffed surface look totally clear/smooth again.
Now i have no intention on using packing tape on anything again but my thoughts were, if the same principle works on small objects, then couldn't you, say, cast some polycarbonate onto the backside where the fluting is, and end up with a clear non-fluted finished product? Maybe it would only work with like materials (ie casting extra PC over existing PC in the case of plastic headlights).
Last edited by CapedCadaver; Mar 5, 2013 at 01:34 PM.
Are your glass pieces loose? Basically i was curious what the outcome is of using the glass like a bowl and filling it with water, then seeing if that makes the flutes less visible. And the same thing with motor oil or cooking oil. Kinda like that youtube video.
james...why not get this and start sanding that lense? it says it's plastic.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEFT-SIDE-HE...ec3dd4&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEFT-SIDE-HE...ec3dd4&vxp=mtr
Other groups I've found resorted to using plexiglass to mold their own lense covers but that does us no good since Wade covers already exist and is already essentially the same thing we'd be making from plexiglass.