707SE

iTrader: (2)

Hey,
So last week I was preparing to clear my 02 headlights, black them out etc etc.

I got them removed using housecor's write up along with a couple others I found via search. Followed the instructions regarding baking them @ 200-250 for about 20 minutes, took them out and went to work on seperating the lights.

Now, I know these things are expensive and I didn't want to fug with them. Anyhow either I didn't leave them in the oven long enough or am doing something wrong because I couldn't get those f'ers apart for the life of me.

So first off any suggestions are greatly appreciated but help me by answering the following:

1. How long do I leave them in the oven? By that I mean by looking at the headlights, how can I visually tell they are ready to seperate?

2. Once they are ready to seperate do I pry them apart? I noticed what I guess you can call clips or in other words where the plastic clips/hooks into the housing. I started to pry on that but no luck.

It was frustrating because I was trying to follow Housecor's instructions but it seemed extremely vauge on these points. Anyone else who's done this please offer advice/suggestions. As you know the replacements aren't cheap so you too were probably nervous when it came time to do this.
Thanks in advance

crispykid717

iTrader: (7)

Did you remove the 3 screws around the headlight?

xnyc

iTrader: (9)

yea check the 3 screws. 2 will be around where the headlight meets the fender and 1 on the bottom. also, i started prying from the side closest to the grill. work your way slowly and bake again if you have to. you cant really tell by eye if its ready. you'll feel it though. stick a flathead screwdriver or butterknife in between the lense and the housing and see if its soft, if it is, then your good to go.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

Bake it longer, it won't hurt the light housing. You have to feel with the screwdriver to see if it is soft enough. When soft, you don't have much time to pry it open, I'd say max 5 minutes.

Be confident and swift.

Nakulbhatt87

iTrader: (1)

and use a hair dryer to keep the sealant soft

godlyone

check my thread out: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=455234

SilverGLE

iTrader: (21)

^ Nice writeup! I'll be referring to this in a few days when I work on my projector retrofit.

707SE

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, I removed the three screws around the lights. Matter of fact, when I was reassemblying everything I couldn't find the hole for the 3rd screw. Knowing I was going to reattempt this mod after contacting the .org I just put the screw in a safe place.

Nice write up. when you say make sure the light is facing up, you mean the light facing the roof of the oven. I ask because in your pics the light is facing forward. Just want to clarify.

LOL - I just realized something looking at your pics. I mumified my light when I put it in the oven, wrapping it multiple times in towels. I guess I really didn't want to fug it up. But after seeing your pics I realize that could be part of the problem for me.

Anyhow, I'll give it another try.

IllegalMax

this has nothing to do with this thread but does anyone know where to get carbonfiber eyelids for a 02?

Trurida18

iTrader: (4)

I NEED to get the haze off my headlights and then early 2007 im gonna do a front end conversion.

But alas, i would like to know what type of polish i should be using, and which grit sand paper, i dont have alot of haze just some forming around the top of my headlights.

Am i supposed to be using 2000 Grit sandpaper WET, WITH SOAP AND WATER?


thanks for any assistance

Atl92Se

iTrader: (9)

try the "Group Deals/Sponsors Forum:

http://forums.maxima.org/forumdisplay.php?f=21

00MaxSE

iTrader: (25)

I just wrapped mine in one towel...enough to cover the light and prevent any part of it from touching the oven or cookie sheet if you used one.

IllegalMax

thanks atl92se

00MaxSE

iTrader: (25)

You better call dibs before someone else does.

Hurry! http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....=1#post5411656

shift_2kmaxima

iTrader: (4)

geeezzz....grant if you are so confident...why havent u done it on ur max aka "da hamster" lol...iam jk

but yeah...i had mine in on 250 temp....and for 15 min...and make sure you take those 3 screws out, and just work on it hard, and it'll come apart

good luck

Teufelhunden

iTrader: (8)

i used a butter knife to take them apart. at first i didnt want to ruin them so i went easy but you have to use some force, it didnt come apart like i expected but yeah pry that sucker apart, youll get it. take your time, the glue will stay soft for awhile, and use some muscle.

getbigtony

iTrader: (1)

why don't you guys buy a heat gun? i think it costs like $20 or so, and you don't have to worry about melting your headlight
the ones with the 2 way temp from 350 or 800 degrees or so
if you have a harbor freight around u, they always have that on sale

Saucisse

Simple...because you don't need one I've done 30 + headlights in the oven and never had any problem about melting them or what so ever.

MIXXMAX

iTrader: (1)

Because it is much less expensive & simpler to put it in the oven where the glue is melted even all the way around and then pry apart. It takes 20 min. tops to pry open the lens using the oven method. I set mine in for 15-20 min on 220 degrees. Glue was nice and gooey and pryed apart real easily. If it's too hard to pry apart, then put it in a little longer. It doesn't take much for the glue to melt. When putting it back together, the hotter and gooey the glue, the better the seal. Use clamps all around to hold the lens on until the glue cools off. This way you won't have any leaks around the seal causing moisture to get in. I have done plenty of headlights, too, using the oven method and never had a problem ruining them or bad re-seals. I used the same glue, too. No inside moisture problems.