ambient temps around 90-100+several hundred degree exhaust manifolds...i'd say its pretty close. but its irrelevant, point was, don't be scared.

200 is not hot enough to damage the light, just sit it on a baking sheet, keep it away from the redhot heater rods, and for no more than 12 minutes. works like a charm with no issues.

 

Do you preheat the oven? or just stick it in.. lol

 

I had mine set at 200*F
Wet towel on the baking sheet.
In oven for precisely 6.5 minutes.

Melted the corner of the lens.

I'm glad you've had good luck with it, most people have had good luck with it, but it's possible to melt them at that temperature, I know first hand, and I had it in at HALF the length of time you mentioned.
IJS, this is my personal experience, not the only one who it's happened to. The reason why it melts one and not the other, who knows maybe just different ovens, etc. But anyone looking into it shouldn't be told there's NO risk, there's always a risk, and heatgun is less risk, if someone's worried.

 

Sticking something in the oven is vastly different than under the hood temps. Air still circulates under the hood pretty good. Only thing I stick in the oven are metal pieces I have painted and the GF still *****es

 

Not sure how everyone is burning their edges. I've done a lot of headlights in the oven with no problems. I usually set it around 190-200 for around 10 minutes.

My preference is a square base made from 2 x 3 to rest the headlamp on. As far as tap plastics lenses are to be considered, I find them overpriced, less aesthetically pleasing, and they block a lot more light than malibu lenses from home depot.

Also OP don't be scared. What I'm afraid of is cutting open e90 headlamps(my buddys) and glueing them back together haha. I've tried the heatgun method when my mother cracked down on the plastics/glue in the oven and it worked but tried my patience.

 

^Well said.

Heat gun will **** you off, it is way nicer to just pop it in the oven, lol.

I think varying oven temps, elements, and sizes all play a big role. Who knows the precise reasoning why some burn and some dont, but I'd most likely point to the oven not being at the proper temp or being too small

 

I do 250 for 10mins if I'm using an oven. I also flip the housing the other way half way through like a boss. You just gotta have the right touch.

OAN, I put the headlights on wood.

 

Just watch this video man and you'll get a good idea

 

^ good info for OP

 

i would use a heatgun on mine too. recommended also to anyone whos clearcoated their headlights for uv protection. if you use the 400 degree method, it might heat your clearcoat up so much id be scared it could run. but i guess the activators and hardeners in the clearcoat would prevent it from ever re-liquidizing huh.

 

Do you need a Torx bit for the headlight installation?

 

I just got done baking the headlight in the oven 200*F for 11 mins, pulled it out and tried pulling and prying and no luck. What am I doing wrong, how do I pull the headlight apart? I tried using a flat head screw driver to pry a bit but nothing.

 

Did you forget to remove the screws before putting it in the oven?

 

Yes the 3 little screws, lol thanks.. I've got it off now

 

I was wondering, the clear lens I got from tap plastics were a tad thick and I had to cut little notch for it to mount flush up against the chrome housing. Well I have it flush now after sawing notches but the lens is a little loose. I put some clear silicone all around the lens and sealed it to the housing, letting it settle for 24 hours before I re-assemble and put the headlight back in the oven. Will this silicone be enough to hold it into place? Will the heat affect the lens where it would pop out. I don't wanna have to go back into the light because the lens didn't hold.

Should I re-assemble and put it in the oven now or wait 24 hours to seal, does it matter?

 

The Silicone will hold up heat, depending which silicone you use, I would recommend 100% Silicone, this is good up to 500F which you will never even close to that ever. Would it hold though I'm not sure. Most of the time when I do this type of stuff, I do it mechanically ( fasterner) then put little silicone just to cover it better. It's probably OK since the lens isn't that heavy. How doest this lens looks like, is it just clear? I have a bunch of these lenses from Ebay aftermarket headlights if you need more.

 

they are frosted so they arn't as clear as the lens above.. I have one completely assembled now and it looks alot better than it did before with that orange lens. Well I hope it holds up. What lens do u have? pics?

 

see pictures on this thread
http://forums.maxima.org/8329484-post284.html

 

I'd recommend using some sort of clear finish epoxy, though the silicone may be ok, it's something you don't really want to have to take apart again because you 'hope' it will work right now while it's apart and in your hands, know what I mean?

Epoxy is super handy to have around anyways so you can use that to justify the additional purchase if it helps, lol.

I used superglue on mine and I wish I would have used epoxy. The glue is holding up fine but it lets off a gaseous mix while curing, and can contaminate the lens permanently if mixed with the oil on your hands. Happened to one of mine. That said, wear surgeon gloves on this stuff to stop that oil from getting on the lenses, it's hard to get off, and if you don't see it right away you willa fter the moisture hits the light and it's all assembled, nothing worse than seeing finger prints on your work after the thing is back together.

 

Yeah I didn't wear gloves and there were some finger marks but I used glass cleaner and then a little bit of polish to smooth the look. Like you said, I don't wanna have to go back into these headlight again, doing it write the first time is the way to do it. Hopefully they will stay nice for a while.