Smoking the headlight chrome
02-05-2005, 05:26 PM
#1
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Smoking the headlight chrome
Is there a way to smoke the chrome inside the headlight unit. I was looknig at mine today and I think it would look good. Has anyone done it that antyone knows about? If not, can anyone photoshop it?
02-05-2005, 09:35 PM
#8
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I got a better look at the lights tonight. I think it would look very good, especially on dark cars. Are these lights like the 5th gens? Still looking for someone who has done this to similar lights. Are the Alti lights similar. Has anyone seen Alti lights smoked if they are similar?
02-06-2005, 07:10 AM
#9
Originally Posted by DeusExMaxima
I got a better look at the lights tonight. I think it would look very good, especially on dark cars. Are these lights like the 5th gens? Still looking for someone who has done this to similar lights. Are the Alti lights similar. Has anyone seen Alti lights smoked if they are similar?
02-06-2005, 01:00 PM
#11
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I found some websites that explain what to do. You remove the light unit from the car and remove all rubber and light bulbs. Then, you bake the lights in the oven for 10 minutes at about 250 degrees. This melts the silicone that glues the clear cover onto the body of the light. At this point the chrome piece can be removed from the body of the light. You rough up the chrome and prime it and then paint it. I suppose you could paint it to match the color of your car - this may be a bit ricey. Certainly black is a good safe color and would look especially good on the Onyx Maxima, which is what I have. You can use either flat, satin, semi-glosss or gloss. Im thinking, if I do the project, that Ill go with satin or semi-gloss. After painting, you can put the light in the oven to re-soften the silicone and then put the clear cover back on the body. Or, you can use fresh silicone.
If someone could photoshop a headlight with blackened chrome, I would really appreciate it. Or if someone can find a picture of similar lights where someone did this, that would be great. I read on the 350Z discussion group that they remove the amber reflector on the side and put a clear one. I kind of like that idea too. What do ya,ll think??
If someone could photoshop a headlight with blackened chrome, I would really appreciate it. Or if someone can find a picture of similar lights where someone did this, that would be great. I read on the 350Z discussion group that they remove the amber reflector on the side and put a clear one. I kind of like that idea too. What do ya,ll think??
02-06-2005, 01:43 PM
#12
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It always amazes me how people go through all this trouble after buying a new car to do something to screw it up. Just remember bake at 250 degrees for 10mins or until golden brown. After all they are only $900 a pop so if you screw up you can just go to the ATM and get another $900 from the bank to purchace a replacement from the stealership or if you are lucky you might find them cheaper on ebay. One last good piece of advice. Get a busted headlight from a junk yard and do a test trial and time it so you can have a good idea of how to go about doing this before baking your actual lights. Good Luck and have fun!!
02-06-2005, 01:44 PM
#13
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Great idea. Reminds me of some of the JDM parts i've seen for other cars. Personally i like the chrome, as i've said in other posts, its basically the color that goes best with my color and taste. Keep us updated, you may just change my mind.
02-06-2005, 02:59 PM
#14
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Redstone: You're right. Its probably a good idea to test it out before doing it. I am at the preliminary stages, where Im just thinking about it. Id like to see if its a look I want. Thats why I want to see a light that has been done or if some photoshops it.
Mysteryman: Ill let you know if I go for it, and of course Ill post pics if I do it. The more I look at it, the more I like the idea.
Mysteryman: Ill let you know if I go for it, and of course Ill post pics if I do it. The more I look at it, the more I like the idea.
02-07-2005, 04:26 PM
#18
[QUOTE=DeusExMaxima] Thats why I want to see a light that has been done or if some photoshops it.[QUOTE]
I think it's pretty much impossible to photo shop the inside of the light housing (at least with my photoshop skills) and make it look as it would in real life. I darkened blaxima's lights to give an idea of how it might look:
I think it's pretty much impossible to photo shop the inside of the light housing (at least with my photoshop skills) and make it look as it would in real life. I darkened blaxima's lights to give an idea of how it might look:
02-08-2005, 12:36 PM
#23
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Originally Posted by KCmaxx
DocHolliday just converted his to HID. I PM'd him to see about buying one of the others... Im willing to try it. At least to get rid of the orange.
I pulled the assembly and put in a new bulb. I never opened the assembly up. I wouldn't dare do that.
02-08-2005, 12:45 PM
#24
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Opening the assembly up is really not that big of a deal. Pretty much every 2002-2003 maxima owner that posts on the .org has opened their hids up to remove the orange lens. Baking them melts the silicone seal so you can pull it apart. You guys are making a big deal out of nothing. But I did too, so...
02-08-2005, 01:42 PM
#26
you can always black them out with the tint... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW
02-08-2005, 06:13 PM
#27
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The reason Im not doing tint is that I beleive it would be an unreasonable risk of being pulled over by cops, and it is a safety concern. Im also not sure I like the blackout look for the headlights, like I do the tails.
02-09-2005, 01:39 PM
#28
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Originally Posted by DeusExMaxima
KC: How do u get rid of the yellow reflector and where do u get a clear one?
Mark
Mark
02-11-2005, 01:30 AM
#32
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I played around with "Pal's" ride...and managed to smoke out the chrome parts in the lights...sorta.....well...to the best I could with my limited skills 
Hope you don't mind me using your pic Pal.
Sparq.
Ok...just discovered when I previewed the post that I can't link to the image with the [img] thingy...so I guess I'll just write the link here for you to copy/paste into your browsers
http://sparq.20m.com/max2.JPG
If I'm doin something wrong...lemme know...
Hope you don't mind me using your pic Pal.
Sparq.
Ok...just discovered when I previewed the post that I can't link to the image with the [img] thingy...so I guess I'll just write the link here for you to copy/paste into your browsers
http://sparq.20m.com/max2.JPG
If I'm doin something wrong...lemme know...
02-11-2005, 06:27 AM
#34
no prob sparq... doesnt look too bad.
for 60 bucks on that ebay link I posted, maybe its worth trying out the smoke tint (its already precut and it also acts as a protector from rocks & bugs) because if you dont like the smoke you can remove it. however if you paint it, it will be harder to remove.
for 60 bucks on that ebay link I posted, maybe its worth trying out the smoke tint (its already precut and it also acts as a protector from rocks & bugs) because if you dont like the smoke you can remove it. however if you paint it, it will be harder to remove.
02-11-2005, 06:38 AM
#35
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Actually...I wouldn't advise putting any kind of adhesive film on the headlights...
I did that on my camaro...when I finally got a ticket for it a year later and had to take the film off you could see the decoloration on the glass where the fiilm HADN'T been.
Sparq.
I did that on my camaro...when I finally got a ticket for it a year later and had to take the film off you could see the decoloration on the glass where the fiilm HADN'T been.
Sparq.
02-11-2005, 08:14 AM
#36
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Sparq: Boy thats one mean looking car!!! I love that look. You may have just sent me over the edge to do it. My car is going to Progress for spring and sway bar development, but when I get it back, this may be the next mod. By the way, no one is gonna confuse it for an Altima any more.
I am NOT going to put film or tint on the glass covering. Tail lights are one thing, but I wanna see where Im going, and I do not want a ticket.
I am NOT going to put film or tint on the glass covering. Tail lights are one thing, but I wanna see where Im going, and I do not want a ticket.
OKOK....Hold up.... 