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Restoring headlights.. Help / Idea's

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Old 03-28-2011, 05:33 AM
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HELP Restoring headlights.. paint ect..

This morning I am restoring my headlight glass. The one on the left is orginal.. right is brand new. I know i can get the lens clear again, problem is the inside housing has faded on the orginal.. anyone know how i can possibly restore the chrome or should i paint both? color?




Cooked headlight in the oven @250 for 10 minutes to remove glass. Faded chrome needed attention!


Cleaned up!!!



Final product...not bad

Last edited by 96customax; 03-28-2011 at 03:04 PM.
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Old 03-28-2011, 06:26 AM
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pull the lens apart and wetsand both the backside/frontside of the glass lense

Also there are countless threads on how to do this, thats what the SEARCH function is for
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Old 03-28-2011, 06:28 AM
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Or buy a new set of Euro headlights on Ebay for cheap. Call it a night.
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Old 03-28-2011, 06:30 AM
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Yeah I'm doing that now.. then throwing them in them in the oven to pull apart. Any idea about restoring the chrome inside?
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Old 03-28-2011, 06:35 AM
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Originally Posted by K-Ryder
Or buy a new set of Euro headlights on Ebay for cheap. Call it a night.
Its quick, it's easy, and its a good looking mod with the r34s, I second this idea.
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Old 03-28-2011, 06:40 AM
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True but the idea right now is to save money. I'm repairing my car, body work and painting.. I thought about painting the inside but can't figure out a color. Wondering if I lose the chrome to an alloy color or darker if it would dramatically change visibility at night?
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Old 03-28-2011, 07:07 AM
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You need that chrome to reflect the light from your halogen bulbs.
I only suggest painting the reflectors if you are doing a projector retrofit. ('cause at that point you will not need the reflectors)
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Old 03-28-2011, 07:11 AM
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I would rather not paint it... any idea how to restore the chrome?
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Old 03-28-2011, 07:14 AM
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Don't touch the chrome reflectors. You'll regret it if you're not doing a retrofit.

I have completely clear glass lenses unlike those flutted ones that I'd be willing to sell ya. That'll solve your problem and give you better output since the lenses aren't all flutted like those.
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Old 03-28-2011, 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by 96customax
True but the idea right now is to save money. I'm repairing my car, body work and painting.. I thought about painting the inside but can't figure out a color. Wondering if I lose the chrome to an alloy color or darker if it would dramatically change visibility at night?
You have the glass ones so its not really going to stand out as much like the 97-99 headlights.
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Old 03-28-2011, 08:09 AM
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honestly man, just get 1 new headlight off of ebay. i know they're frickin cheap as hell.
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Old 03-28-2011, 08:25 AM
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glass is not worth it man get the 97-99 lights or a set off ebay they have some nice ones on there rather cheap

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1PC-J...item27b9ab90fa


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-C...item53e6cb0229

those are 2 links to ebay lights that fit our cars
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Old 03-28-2011, 10:02 AM
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do those 1-pc units in the links require any cutting or mods to the car to install?
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Old 03-28-2011, 10:07 AM
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@maxWgn I think they just bolt right up... I didnt know those were that cheap.. prob end getting the black 1 piece lights but for now im trying to get the ones i have decent/matching.. Post pics later!
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Old 03-28-2011, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by 96customax
@maxWgn I think they just bolt right up... I didnt know those were that cheap.. prob end getting the black 1 piece lights but for now im trying to get the ones i have decent/matching.. Post pics later!
Buy my clear glass lenses! Practically brand new.
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Old 03-28-2011, 03:07 PM
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Just posted the finished product up top with my first post! All in all im happy with it!!
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