Gen 1 Black housing headlights?

[SHOPLUS]

I saw this image in a lowered SHO thread and I really like the black housings. Does anyone know how to do this? I know on VWs people cook the housings, pull the lens and paint all the non reflective surfaces. Is this the same procedure? I PM'd the poster but doesnt look like hes been on in a long time.
Thanks,

 

[jelloslug]

You would do it the same way. You will also get less light out of the headlights if you paint everything black. I would just do the parts that are not chrome finished.

 

[SHOPLUS]

You would do it the same way. You will also get less light out of the headlights if you paint everything black. I would just do the parts that are not chrome finished.

Yeah I appologize fo rnot being more specific, I understand not to paint reflective surfaces haha

 

[justin mccluske]

I did this years ago but cant find my picks on how i did it. Use heat to pull your headlights apart and paint everything thats not chrome on the inside. also make sure you do a good job glue it back togather or it will always be foggy.

 

[SHOPLUS]

Okay cool thats about what I figured. When I was a VW guy I just bought European lights, never went through the hassle. Any specific adhesive recommended?

 

[RonPorter]

I have cleaned out a coupla sets of SHO headlights. After I dry them out, I just seal the seam with silicone. Always seemed to work fine.

 

[SHOPLUS]

I have cleaned out a coupla sets of SHO headlights. After I dry them out, I just seal the seam with silicone. Always seemed to work fine.

Silicone to me means some kind of RTV? I've used probably 30 gallons of black, gray, and red silicone RTV but I doubt thats what you're using. Would clear two-part expoxy work or could you give me the actual kind of silicone used?
Thanks!

 

[SHOdded]

Something like this should work: Permatex Flowable Silicone Windshield and Glass Sealer.

 

[K-Dawg]

I think you would want something clear, like silicone. I think silicone may break down in the sun, but it should work fine for this application.

Google "resealing headlights" and you'll get lots of answers.

 

[threSHOld]

I just pulled some spare headlights apart to play with an HID conversion. To get the lenses apart I pre heated my oven (make sure they fit in yours first) to 350, then flipped a glass casserole pan over to set the light on. Make sure all rubber/metal is off the headlight housing and put the light in for about 5 minutes at a time, checking each time to see if you can separate them with a flat blade.
I wouldn't set the headlight on anything metal, it may melt the housing. And be patient with it, it'll come apart with a few runs in the oven, but you don't want to rush it.

 

[intimdatr]

It takes forever do to it. Ive separated a lot Head lights here of late working on making projector ready housings and such.

You will want to Work quickly when its out and the instant you feel like its cooling off again PUT IT BACK IN. or you will destroy your housing. 350 seams a bit high. I always did mine 200-275 range but also left it in there for longer periods of time. Never had any issues with just throwing them in there on metal or whatever. But most of all be patient.

If you plan on taking them back apart again you will wont to pick up some headlight glue. I have several tubes laying around from various projector installs. (last a long time) But if your really in a pinch you can just use normal White School clue or tacky clue. If you plan on sealing them forever fine a good glue that will dry with some flex-ability in it and forget about it.

 

[SHOPLUS]

It takes forever do to it. Ive separated a lot Head lights here of late working on making projector ready housings and such.

You will want to Work quickly when its out and the instant you feel like its cooling off again PUT IT BACK IN. or you will destroy your housing. 350 seams a bit high. I always did mine 200-275 range but also left it in there for longer periods of time. Never had any issues with just throwing them in there on metal or whatever. But most of all be patient.

If you plan on taking them back apart again you will wont to pick up some headlight glue. I have several tubes laying around from various projector installs. (last a long time) But if your really in a pinch you can just use normal White School clue or tacky clue. If you plan on sealing them forever fine a good glue that will dry with some flex-ability in it and forget about it.

Yeah i saw your post about making clear lenses. My plan is to find a used set of gen 1 lights and do the black housings so ill have my originals still in good shape. Ive considered using the used lenses (if im able to find a set) to make a mold for clear lenses to run hids for us gen 1 owners but im still up in the air about that

 

[kevinspann]

Are the lenses in the car pictured tinted, or is the housing painted?

You might be thrown off by the amber being painted.

 

[SHOPLUS]

Are the lenses in the car pictured tinted, or is the housing painted?

You might be thrown off by the amber being painted.

I'm pretty sure they're black housings, I've owned a lot of mustangs and *** products as well as built a few civics for friends so I'm familiar with the look. Notice the lens is clear but the non reflective area is black. Black housings are a fairly common "modernizing" upgrade and I think it would look good on my Gen 1. I just wonder how big the interest would be in Gen 1 clear lenses. I like the way HIDs and projectors spread light but not sure if its worth the hassle.