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How To: Bake Headlights, paint (with pics)

81K views 164 replies 64 participants last post by  un4giv3n 
#1 · (Edited)
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A 355nation (CCP) presented by
dlucas

Project Name
How To: Bake your headlights with paint.

Project Description
Bake them in the over, crack them open and clear them or paint them.

Skill Level
Moderate

Project Vehicle
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Colorado
Year: 2005
Engine: 2.8L
Power windows: No
Sun Roof: No


Tool Needed
2 Flat Head Screw Drivers
Butterknife



Project Time
1 hour to 2 hours

Project Cost
Free or cost of paint.


-You can from these instructions take the reflectors out or paint the inside of your lights to match the exterior color of your truck.

-Follow these 10 steps, and make sure you TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!

Step 1.) Remove grille and take DRL lights from that assembly. Remove bolts that hold the headlights in place. Remove the bulbs from the sockets.



Step 2.) Set your oven at 120-170 degrees and let it get warm.


Step 3.) Now, place either a headlight or a DRL light inside of the oven and leave it in there for 15 minutes (DRL's 20 minutes). Try to put the lights directly on the rack and make sure the oven is already hot, if you dont the oven will be much hotter in the first few minutes and melt your stuff. Less time for higher temps as not everyones ovens go that low. If lights do not want to come apart put them back in for a few minutes.



Step 4.) When the 20 minutes are up, remove the headlight from the oven CAREFULLY...use towels or gloves to remove the lights from the oven.

Step 5.) Now that the silicone is hot, release the tabs with a screwdriver and pry each side with a butter knife a little at a time until you have worked all the way around the light. Once loose you should be able to use your hands to pull them apart. There are three pieces to the light. Two outer shells and the middle, The middle is what I am painting white. If you are painting you want to remove the reflectors so you don't have to mask around them. If you are clearing your lights just follow number 6 and throw them away. The best way to pry the DRL's apart is to start on the reflector side and work you way to the other side. They seem to have to be hotter to get apart.





Step 6.) Now, to remove the reflectors from the headlight are pretty easy. Just undo the clips from the reflector and it should fall right out. Now for the DRL's, its a little tricky because instead of it being clipped on, it's glued on,Try to rip it out with your hands and if that doesn't work....plan B.... than stick the flathead covered with a towel so you won't scratch the chrome, and rip that sucker off...BE CAREFUL!!!




Step 7.) Now that you removed the reflectors, apply ALOT of silicone on the headlights for the proper seal (you only get one shot, so do it right the first time!!!!) For the DRL's, what I did is I removed all the stock heated rubber silicone plastic with a knife and just applied regular silicone instead of that weird plastic silicone...if it doesn't come out easy, just put it in the oven for a little bit...it will soften up, and while it's hot remove it with the knife.

Sealant I used, seems to be alot like the stuff they used when originally putting them together.


Step 8.) After your done applying the silicone, give the headlight/DRL some pressure, squeeze it a little...after that, put it back into the oven for 20 minutes at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 9.) When the 20 minutes are up, apply ALOT of pressure on the headlight/DRL (Use a buddy to give it maximum pressure.)

Step 10.) Install and Enjoy!!!!!


Almost done, not quite sealed and pushed back together yet.


DRL's masked off.


Done!!!
 
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#3 ·
Re: How-To: Bake Headlights (with pics)

I have to redo one of the headlights, when I was shoving them together the lens hit the white piece and since they were hot the paint was soft and the paint came off on the lens but no big deal.
 
#9 ·
Re: How-To: Bake Headlights (with pics)

I bet those are gonna look awesome on the truck!!!
should get the truck back later this week and as soon as it gets here I will be putting these in and a supermodulation dome light!!!!
 
#12 ·
Re: How-To: Bake Headlights (with pics)

No it shouldn't, If anything it would help. I only painted the black areas white. White reflects light better than black. Heck anything reflects light better that black.
 
#21 ·
Re: How-To: Bake Headlights, paint (with pics)

did you have to sand down the inside of the headlight to paint it?
Nope!! I used krylon fusion paint for plastic which requires no sanding.
 
#23 ·
Re: How-To: Bake Headlights, paint (with pics)

no clear. when masking off try to use painters tape if possible. Use light coats of paint and dont let the masking tape sit on too long cause it will peel some of the chrome off. follow my directions .
 
#28 ·
Re: How-To: Bake Headlights, paint (with pics)

The krylon fusion paint is dry to the touch in 20 minutes or so. I pulled it off after about 45 minutes- hour.
 
#30 ·
Re: How-To: Bake Headlights, paint (with pics)

You could probably take the tape off after you spray but I wouldn't. I put on about 2 coats on the drl's. until covered.
 
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