Anyone here every pulled headlights apart? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

DarrenDriven · 06-05-2012, 03:01 PM

I know that there are a bunch of DIYs on the net about separating your headlight housings, but has anyone here in Portland ever actually done it successfully? I'd like to paint the chrome in my lights black, but since this is my first attempt I don't want to screw it up. Help?

colHolm · 06-05-2012, 03:05 PM

I've actually pulled apart the FR-S headlight already... It's not too bad, but the silicone they use is super-gooey once you heat it up.

Pre-heat the oven to about 225 F, and put the headlights in (after removing the screws around the edge, all the wiring, bulb sockets, rubber covers, etc) for about 12-14 mins.

Be careful - it's hot when you take it out! Guide the little clasps over the tabs, and then start prying (I started at the inside corner where the headlight narrows). Try to make sure the goopy silicone doesn't fall on the inside of the lens - this might be a good time to have some one helping you; they can cut the silicone and keep it away from the lens.

I'll be posting a full DIY in the coming weeks. I'm just waiting for a couple things...

Cheers!

DarrenDriven · 06-05-2012, 03:12 PM

Thanks colHolm! I think that the FR-S light will look SUPER mean with all the chrome blacked out. I have two HID kits on the way, low and high beam, so I'll do the blackout soon.

m.box.design · 06-05-2012, 04:24 PM

darren, keep us posted on how this turns out. i certainly like that idea.
how much did you pay for your HID parts? That'll probably be the first modification I do after I get my car.

DarrenDriven · 06-05-2012, 08:20 PM

I am negotiating a deal for my HIDs... not sure what I am paying yet. I will post an update as soon as I have it.

86_ZN6 · 06-05-2012, 08:31 PM

Since your taking the headlights apart, now is best time to replaced the projectors with better ones

Youre putting in hids too so yeah you really need a better projector To eliminate the glare

colHolm · 06-05-2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frs_gt86

Since your taking the headlights apart, now is best time to replaced the projectors with better ones

Youre putting in hids too so yeah you really need a better projector To eliminate the glare

Doing some R&D work with the retrofit source. Hopefully they'll have one of their retro-quik system kits available soon!

RWD_only · 06-06-2012, 01:15 AM

I took apart the headlights on my SC300 way back when. It went...ok. Just be patient and precise. It helps to have someone there who's either a car person and knows what's at stake, or someone who'll listen to you without bitching, griping, or complaining.

DarrenDriven · 06-06-2012, 02:46 AM

I've got someone who will help me out... I think I should be able to handle this.

I am going to wait until my HID kits show up so I can play with the projector output while it's easier to get at the innards.

DarrenDriven · 06-14-2012, 10:40 PM

OK, we are working on this... my question at this point is do I need to heat anything up to reassemble the two halves or do I just stick them back together cold?

BoxRZ_86 · 06-14-2012, 11:01 PM

yeah you should heat them back up so you get a good seal. atleast that what i did when i would black out civic headlight housings.

DarrenDriven · 06-14-2012, 11:02 PM

OK, I just heated one light to 225 for 13 minutes and tried to pull the halves apart but they wouldn't really budge. I just stuck it back in the oven for five more minutes at 225... but if they don't come apart after that I am going to bump it up to 250 for another five minutes.

colHolm · 06-14-2012, 11:10 PM

Make sure you took all the screws out from around the perimeter. There are also tabs you'll have to lift up.

MmmHamSandwich · 06-14-2012, 11:13 PM

If you have a heat gun handy, forget the oven. Keep that sucker moving along the seam and slowly pull apart. That's how the pros do it.

Also for those of you acting like you just slap a new projector in there willy nilly, I got news for you. It is difficult work, especially on a new platform. There's a reason retrofitters with established reputations charge good money. If you've never done a retrofit and just bought all your parts off TRS and think you're gonna bang if out in a couple days in your garage there's a high probability you will have frustrating failure and will ruin at least one set of lights. You're probably better off utilizing the stock projector. If you're dead set on putting a reknowned projector in your headlights you will probably save money in the long run looking into a retrofitter. Just my two cents.

I got a friend who might end up doing some work on an FR-S' headlights soon. If so I'll make sure it ends up posted.

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06-05-2012, 03:05 PM	#2
colHolm Default User Title Join Date: Mar 2011 Drives: FR-S Location: Whitby, ON Posts: 688 Thanks: 182 Thanked 349 Times in 118 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I've actually pulled apart the FR-S headlight already... It's not too bad, but the silicone they use is super-gooey once you heat it up. Pre-heat the oven to about 225 F, and put the headlights in (after removing the screws around the edge, all the wiring, bulb sockets, rubber covers, etc) for about 12-14 mins. Be careful - it's hot when you take it out! Guide the little clasps over the tabs, and then start prying (I started at the inside corner where the headlight narrows). Try to make sure the goopy silicone doesn't fall on the inside of the lens - this might be a good time to have some one helping you; they can cut the silicone and keep it away from the lens. I'll be posting a full DIY in the coming weeks. I'm just waiting for a couple things... Cheers!

06-05-2012, 04:24 PM	#4
m.box.design Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Drives: 2013 Whiteout FRS Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 3,081 Thanks: 331 Thanked 1,662 Times in 933 Posts Mentioned: 107 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	darren, keep us posted on how this turns out. i certainly like that idea. how much did you pay for your HID parts? That'll probably be the first modification I do after I get my car.

06-05-2012, 08:31 PM	#6
86_ZN6 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 86 ZN6 Location: SF Bay Area, NorCal Posts: 4,682 Thanks: 1,317 Thanked 2,072 Times in 1,222 Posts Mentioned: 126 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Since your taking the headlights apart, now is best time to replaced the projectors with better ones Youre putting in hids too so yeah you really need a better projector To eliminate the glare

06-06-2012, 01:15 AM	#8
RWD_only Lurks 'n stuff Join Date: Oct 2009 Drives: 1994 Mazda Miata Location: Eugene/Sherwood, OR Posts: 112 Thanks: 99 Thanked 13 Times in 10 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I took apart the headlights on my SC300 way back when. It went...ok. Just be patient and precise. It helps to have someone there who's either a car person and knows what's at stake, or someone who'll listen to you without bitching, griping, or complaining.

06-14-2012, 11:01 PM	#11
BoxRZ_86 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited SWP Location: Central NJ Posts: 369 Thanks: 51 Thanked 221 Times in 118 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	yeah you should heat them back up so you get a good seal. atleast that what i did when i would black out civic headlight housings.

06-14-2012, 11:10 PM	#13
colHolm Default User Title Join Date: Mar 2011 Drives: FR-S Location: Whitby, ON Posts: 688 Thanks: 182 Thanked 349 Times in 118 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Make sure you took all the screws out from around the perimeter. There are also tabs you'll have to lift up.

06-14-2012, 11:13 PM	#14
MmmHamSandwich You know you want it. Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: '13 FR-S Location: RVA Posts: 705 Thanks: 160 Thanked 327 Times in 154 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	If you have a heat gun handy, forget the oven. Keep that sucker moving along the seam and slowly pull apart. That's how the pros do it. Also for those of you acting like you just slap a new projector in there willy nilly, I got news for you. It is difficult work, especially on a new platform. There's a reason retrofitters with established reputations charge good money. If you've never done a retrofit and just bought all your parts off TRS and think you're gonna bang if out in a couple days in your garage there's a high probability you will have frustrating failure and will ruin at least one set of lights. You're probably better off utilizing the stock projector. If you're dead set on putting a reknowned projector in your headlights you will probably save money in the long run looking into a retrofitter. Just my two cents. I got a friend who might end up doing some work on an FR-S' headlights soon. If so I'll make sure it ends up posted.

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