Assistant needed, blacking out headlights

[ducky369]

hey guys, I want to blackout my headlight, I have the base FR-S. Got the car wrapped and should be coming back in a few days. However, I don't have the oven or experience in blacking out my headlights. In this case, i should be called the assistant and you're the main surgeon. Is it a one day job? This is the only car i have and i don't have spare headlights to use.

If someone don't mind lending me a oven to use and helping me out, i'll buy some KFC and beer(or rootbeer for the under 21s)!

thanks!

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Heat gun works great as well. I actually prefer the heat gun over the oven.

[killboy]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Heat gun works great as well. I actually prefer the heat gun over the oven.

Same here. You can get a heat gun new for about $20, just be careful if you've never used one...they're like an amped up hairdryer, but they will seriously burn you or anything the nozzle/tip touches. Keep some distance and don't let the tip touch anything when you're setting it down between sessions of heating and prying.

Works great though, just take your time, and understand that the first bit of separation is the most time-consuming...it will seem like it's never going to come apart, but just keep heating and slowly prying, and then suddenly it will start to spread and it's all butter from there.

[ducky369]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Heat gun works great as well. I actually prefer the heat gun over the oven.

Would you like to help? I have no experience with painting and using a heat gun.

I'm scared I'll melt my housing

[ducky369]

Originally Posted by killboydotcom

Same here. You can get a heat gun new for about $20, just be careful if you've never used one...they're like an amped up hairdryer, but they will seriously burn you or anything the nozzle/tip touches. Keep some distance and don't let the tip touch anything when you're setting it down between sessions of heating and prying.



Works great though, just take your time, and understand that the first bit of separation is the most time-consuming...it will seem like it's never going to come apart, but just keep heating and slowly prying, and then suddenly it will start to spread and it's all butter from there.

I have a heat gun at home, but I never used one. I am scared to melt the housing, that's why I want someone with experience to help :/ and I'm probably going to do a very bad painting job.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by ducky369

Would you like to help? I have no experience with painting and using a heat gun.

I would help, but I have no clue where my heat gun went (they have cheap ones at Harbor Freights). Also, I'm always at work -_-

imho, you should have a second pair of headlights. If you do use a heat gun, do not stay stationary at an area for too long. Sweep back and forth a few inches and carefully pry the lens from the housing.

Also, I used bbq grill paint on my Yaris headlights. Lol. Figured they would work well with the headlight heat.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Gotta take apart the parts you want to paint. Also prep them. Washing with dish wash soap at the very least. Some high grit sanding would be best cuz you'd want a surface where the paint will adhere to. Otherwise, over time, the paint will start peeling off showing the chrome again.

[ducky369]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

I would help, but I have no clue where my heat gun went (they have cheap ones at Harbor Freights). Also, I'm always at work -_-



imho, you should have a second pair of headlights. If you do use a heat gun, do not stay stationary at an area for too long. Sweep back and forth a few inches and carefully pry the lens from the housing.



Also, I used bbq grill paint on my Yaris headlights. Lol. Figured they would work well with the headlight heat.

I have a heat gun! Dad bought it from home depo, he's has most hardware tools. Just need someone with experience. It's not in a rush, can be accomplish when you have free time.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by ducky369

I have a heat gun! Dad bought it from home depo, he's has most hardware tools. Just need someone with experience. It's not in a rush, can be accomplish when you have free time.

What I'd be more concerned is taking off the front bumper as I've read that it never stays on the same.

My days off are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, even then I usually end up having to go into work. Where are you located, btw.

[ducky369]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

What I'd be more concerned is taking off the front bumper as I've read that it never stays on the same.



My days off are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, even then I usually end up having to go into work. Where are you located, btw.

I'm located in alameda people say the hardest part is the side markers.

I would get a second pair if I had the money but hey poor college kid here :/

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by ducky369

I'm located in alameda people say the hardest part is the side markers.

I would get a second pair if I had the money but hey poor college kid here :/

Ah, if I still lived in Union City, it would be much easier. Haha. I'm across the way in Vallejo. Hopefully someone closer to you would be able to lend a hand.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

I'm a poor college grad. Haha

[ducky369]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Ah, if I still lived in Union City, it would be much easier. Haha. I'm across the way in Vallejo. Hopefully someone closer to you would be able to lend a hand.

Ah, it's about 40 mins away? My gf lives in Richmond it's not that far from Richmond right?

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by ducky369

Ah, it's about 40 mins away? My gf lives in Richmond it's not that far from Richmond right?

It's a little longer than 40 minutes. I work near Richmond at Toyota Marin, and even then that's 40 minutes away from where I live (parking lot to parking lot).