| taking a lens off - Click HERE for Original Thread |
| newtuner |
| I am having trouble taking apart my headlight assembly. I want the clear lens off the plastic base. I have tried a hair dryer but not hot enough(I don't have a heat gun). When it was all nice and hot I tried to pry it apart with a flathead screwdriver but that just dug into the plastic base. I then tried to soak it in boiling water for an hour (kept pouring more hot water to keep the temp up). That didn't work either. I have heard of some people baking them at low temp in the oven, this is a method I don not want to try (as I paid 100 bucks for each one). Do you guys know any other way I could get them apart with out messing up the base too much, I would like to keep the lens in one peice but if I have to break it so be it. |
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| REFLUX |
quote:
Originally posted by newtuner
Do you guys know any other way I could get them apart with out messing up the base too much, I would like to keep the lens in one peice but if I have to break it so be it.
you already mentioned it...but a heat gun would prbly be your only choice
especially since you don't want to bake it |
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| Hick 5.0 Ford |
| breaking it sounds like the only way. ir get some from a wreker to toy with |
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| SplineZ |
i bought a heat gun from princess auto for about 25bux...
baking them isnt going to be too problematic.. just keep the oven door open
its quite popular with the newer generation S-truck guys.. im sure you could find a howto on one of their sites..
James Z |
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| Keith303 |
| it got my amber lenses out in my talon by putting the lences in the oven, that was enough to soften the silicone and they pry'd apart easily |
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| 4G63PWR |
quote:
Originally posted by Keith303
it got my amber lenses out in my talon by putting the lences in the oven, that was enough to soften the silicone and they pry'd apart easily
Just don't leave them in as long as I did. Oh well, they looked like shit anyways.
http://dsmlife.com/gallery/data/500/32Cnv0077.jpg?8599 |
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| newtuner |
| oh man thanks IDiom I think this will work out great. These guys even told about putting the lenses facing whatever element you have on top or bottom and putting them on a cookie sheet. I tried with the hair dryer and I was taking big chunks out of the plastic housing. I will give this a try tommrow and let you guys know. thanks again. |
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| IDiOM |
No problem m8.. let us know how it goes for sure. I will be taking my lenses apart when it warms up using this method to remove my yellow reflectors n crud.
quote:
Originally posted by newtuner
oh man thanks IDiom I think this will work out great. These guys even told about putting the lenses facing whatever element you have on top or bottom and putting them on a cookie sheet. I tried with the hair dryer and I was taking big chunks out of the plastic housing. I will give this a try tommrow and let you guys know. thanks again.
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| newtuner |
| well I tried it last night. The temps where kinda off but, I think it depends on your light. I started at 200 for four minutes with the door open. Nothing I went to 225 door open seven minutes, nothing again. tried at 225 with the door closed for five had a little movement but, still nothing. I ended up going to 250 with the door closed for ten minutes two or three times, to warm up the next part. I found going to crappy tire and picking up a 1.5" putty knife and a utility knife. I did it in ten minute times to work on 5 or 6" areas at a time. I put it on a cookie sheet with tin foil, I don't know if it made any differance but I put the shiny side up. I also put the lens facing the element (in my case down). This method worked good. I did crack some of the thin edge of the housing but, I think if I would have heated it up a little longer it would have come apart easier. I suggest taking your time and don't force the plastic too much. I found the black housing gets really weak when warm. I will try and get some pictures of my head lights once they are done. Any question I can try and help out, oh ya and watch that cookie sheet it get nice and hot. I have a nice burn on my arm from it, oh well. |
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| s2oooR |
| i wanna do this with mine but im just too chicken to do it :( |
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| newtuner |
| It's not that hard but, I would suggest picking up two extra headlights. I went to the wreckers and picked up a new left and right. Just incase I messed something up and happened to melt one, I could still drive my car. I don't know if your doing it on a s2000 and I'm sure they won't be cheap even used. I paid 100 bucks for each one of mine and I drive a Sunfire. All that it takes is taking your time, at first I didn't want to bake mine either but trust me the hairdryer or heat gun would take way too long. Why did you want to take yours apart? |
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