Headlight glass removal

[OregonLC]

Is it possible to separate the glass from the headlight housing? Or will it turn into a 'get the orange out' mod? I have a good amount of crud on the reflector, particularly below the high beam that I'd like to polish up. On the top of the glass there's a clip, but I haven't removed it yet to look at the bottom nor do I know if there's adhesive in addition to the clip.

 

[anthonycds]

You're gonna need to pop your headlight in the oven to weaken the adhesive. 2000UZJ and LJ I'm sure will elaborate more on their helpful techniques.

 

[1loudLX]

yes you can bake your headlights and separate the glass from the rest of the housing. might as well do a HID projector upgrade while you're in there.

 

[2000UZJ]

Bake it at 225* for 5 minutes and try. Mine was 8 minutes but it's not my headlight so I don't want you to melt it. Longer times may be necessary to soften the glue. Slide a razor blade down the side when you get it half way open. Open the headlight from the grill side. It is glass, wear safety glasses incase you send itty bitty shards of glass everywhere. It comes off the lamp at 100 million miles an hour in eyeball friendly sizes.

If your opening them, why not do a retro? (I'm not asking this because I work there, just the smart thing to do)

 

[OregonLC]

Bake it at 225* for 5 minutes and try. Mine was 8 minutes but it's not my headlight so I don't want you to melt it. Longer times may be necessary to soften the glue. Slide a razor blade down the side when you get it half way open. Open the headlight from the grill side. It is glass, wear safety glasses incase you send itty bitty shards of glass everywhere. It comes off the lamp at 100 million miles an hour in eyeball friendly sizes.

If your opening them, why not do a retro? (I'm not asking this because I work there, just the smart thing to do)

Thanks guys for the info. The HIR's are a pretty good upgrade. I'll see how they do going over the Coast Range tomorrow night. If I'm still lacking then maybe an HIR is in the cards. I'll be going with some offroad lights for the new T-13 when it comes too.

 

[bamabrock]

Swap in some projectors while in there. If you don't want hids yet, throw in some H1 halogen bulbs.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

And I hopefully shouldn't have to say it but, be careful - the glass stays pretty hot for a long time.

 

[petrotk40]

DO NOT USE A SCREWDRIVER TO PRY IT APART.

when it is hot enough you can just pull it apart corner by corner. razor blade is helpful too.

 

[BMWSTOY]

Could one of you Guru's comment on the re-install of the glass to complete this thread? Re-heat the existing resin or new?
-
I am considering buying used Headlights with broken tabs just to replace my lenses, both are broke New housings run about $165 each and broken-used headlights about $45-50 each.
-
If new resin/adhesive is used, what type and is it usually found at local Autoparts or other stores.

Thanks.

 

[2000UZJ]

When you put the lens back on you want to heat up the housing with your new glue and lens on. Remove the old adhesive and apply a nice bead around the housing. If you want to go super cheap (and it still works well), get some RTV sealant (black stuff). You want to get some books and stack ontop of the housing to press everything together while it cools.

I use this stuff :OCI Butyl Rubber Glue - Accessories from The Retrofit Source Inc

 

[FullyLitLED]

Could one of you Guru's comment on the re-install of the glass to complete this thread? Re-heat the existing resin or new?
-
I am considering buying used Headlights with broken tabs just to replace my lenses, both are broke New housings run about $165 each and broken-used headlights about $45-50 each.
-
If new resin/adhesive is used, what type and is it usually found at local Autoparts or other stores.

Thanks.

If you are going to replace the lens might as well do the TRS upgrade

*Ask lead tech Nick for details

 

[jgray]

Could one of you Guru's comment on the re-install of the glass to complete this thread? Re-heat the existing resin or new?
-
I am considering buying used Headlights with broken tabs just to replace my lenses, both are broke New housings run about $165 each and broken-used headlights about $45-50 each.
-
If new resin/adhesive is used, what type and is it usually found at local Autoparts or other stores.

Thanks.

I will have a pair of glass headlights off my 99 that I will be selling in the next few days if interested. I think one side has a broken tab or two and one leaked muddy water inside but the glass is fine. The other one looks pretty good overall. PM me if interested before they hit the classifieds or ebay...

 

[BMWSTOY]

PM sent to ya.

Another option I was considering was just a 3m or similar film protection on the headlight and that would also seal my small hole (s) ? Now that's the cheap route.