Headlight bummer
Headlight bummer I was out in the garage tonight trying to adjust the driver side down a little bit and the bracket broke. I need to make a choice.
1 - Do I buy an old headlight on ebay and clean it up.
2 - Buy an aftermarket set and install them.
are there any aftermarket headlights out there that are worth a damn? I see them on ebay many different styles for $150 - $200. I really don't want to spend the money for new GM headlights. Any ideas?
1 - Do I buy an old headlight on ebay and clean it up.
2 - Buy an aftermarket set and install them.
are there any aftermarket headlights out there that are worth a damn? I see them on ebay many different styles for $150 - $200. I really don't want to spend the money for new GM headlights. Any ideas?
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,628
Likes: 2,547
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
The "new" GM headlights are just reboxed Depos with a "GM" stamped lens. Housing is the same as aftermarket Depos and is marked as Depo. So don't bother spending the cash for new factory pieces as they have the same fitment issues as the aftermarket Depos.
The washer shim solution mentioned above seems to be the only way to get the fitment decent, though I've seen a few of the "fixed" examples that still didn't look quite as good as OEM to me. Perhaps they just needed to be worked with more. I guess it also may depend on the specific car as fitment isn't always exactly the same from one example to the next.
The washer shim solution mentioned above seems to be the only way to get the fitment decent, though I've seen a few of the "fixed" examples that still didn't look quite as good as OEM to me. Perhaps they just needed to be worked with more. I guess it also may depend on the specific car as fitment isn't always exactly the same from one example to the next.
The "new" GM headlights are just reboxed Depos with a "GM" stamped lens. Housing is the same as aftermarket Depos and is marked as Depo. So don't bother spending the cash for new factory pieces as they have the same fitment issues as the aftermarket Depos.
The washer shim solution mentioned above seems to be the only way to get the fitment decent, though I've seen a few of the "fixed" examples that still didn't look quite as good as OEM to me. Perhaps they just needed to be worked with more. I guess it also may depend on the specific car as fitment isn't always exactly the same from one example to the next.
The washer shim solution mentioned above seems to be the only way to get the fitment decent, though I've seen a few of the "fixed" examples that still didn't look quite as good as OEM to me. Perhaps they just needed to be worked with more. I guess it also may depend on the specific car as fitment isn't always exactly the same from one example to the next.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,628
Likes: 2,547
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
If you bought aftermarket versions that fit as good as originals right out of the box, you were lucky.
The typical issues are with poor fit/gaps where the bottom of the headlight meets the bumper cover, or where the side edges meet the fascia (inner) or fender (outer.) I had issues in all those areas with Depos on my '02, instead of messing with shims I just restored the stock pieces. But spacers/washers/etc have worked to get the fit decent for some.
If you bought aftermarket versions that fit as good as originals right out of the box, you were lucky.
If you bought aftermarket versions that fit as good as originals right out of the box, you were lucky.
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,628
Likes: 2,547
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
At the bare minimum, you'd want to use a good synthetic wax (sealant), and re-apply pretty regularly if they are in the sun often. Other options include various coatings on the market (there are a few brands, lots of opinions on what's best) specifically for headlight lenses, or spraying them with a two-part automotive clear coat. Basic rattle can clear doesn't usually last very long, but it's also an option. The higher end clear coats (such as two-part) will last longer.
At the bare minimum, you'd want to use a good synthetic wax (sealant), and re-apply pretty regularly if they are in the sun often. Other options include various coatings on the market (there are a few brands, lots of opinions on what's best) specifically for headlight lenses, or spraying them with a two-part automotive clear coat. Basic rattle can clear doesn't usually last very long, but it's also an option. The higher end clear coats (such as two-part) will last longer.
Is two-part the name of the clear coat?
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,628
Likes: 2,547
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
This just means that the clear coat has two components (2-part, "2K"), as compared to the basic one part/component ("1K") clear coats. 2-part/2K can still be bought in an aerosol can, but there is button on the bottom that you push to mix the components prior to application. Here is the description from Eastwood's site:
1K Coating vs. 2K Coatings
There is often confusion and misuse of terms when it comes to describing automotive coatings. Not only do some people not know the difference between 1K and 2K paints, but some people confuse single stage paints and two stage paints with 1K and 2K. Here are some brief definitions that we hope will dispel the confusion.
1K Coatings
This is a term used to describe a coating that does not require a hardener, catalyst or activator. This term can be used to describe “single-component” paints that dry in the air (whether latex house paint, or old school lacquer) and nearly all aerosol spray can paints. The 1 Shot sign painters pinstriping paint we sell is 1K enamel.
2K Coatings
This describes a coating that needs to be mixed with a hardener, catalyst or activator. Once it hardens it is much less susceptible to damage from chemicals, weather, or UV rays. 2K paints includes all of our Eastwood automotive single stage and base coat/clear coat finishes, “two-component” paints and other urethane finishes. Eastwood's 2K Aero-Spray paints combine the convenience of an aerosol and the durability of a 2K paint (the activator is in a separate compartment).
NOTE: Typically the term "catalyst" (as in epoxy catalyst) is used separately from the terms "activator" and "hardener" because a catalyst does not have isocyanates.
There is often confusion and misuse of terms when it comes to describing automotive coatings. Not only do some people not know the difference between 1K and 2K paints, but some people confuse single stage paints and two stage paints with 1K and 2K. Here are some brief definitions that we hope will dispel the confusion.
1K Coatings
This is a term used to describe a coating that does not require a hardener, catalyst or activator. This term can be used to describe “single-component” paints that dry in the air (whether latex house paint, or old school lacquer) and nearly all aerosol spray can paints. The 1 Shot sign painters pinstriping paint we sell is 1K enamel.
2K Coatings
This describes a coating that needs to be mixed with a hardener, catalyst or activator. Once it hardens it is much less susceptible to damage from chemicals, weather, or UV rays. 2K paints includes all of our Eastwood automotive single stage and base coat/clear coat finishes, “two-component” paints and other urethane finishes. Eastwood's 2K Aero-Spray paints combine the convenience of an aerosol and the durability of a 2K paint (the activator is in a separate compartment).
NOTE: Typically the term "catalyst" (as in epoxy catalyst) is used separately from the terms "activator" and "hardener" because a catalyst does not have isocyanates.
This just means that the clear coat has two components (2-part, "2K"), as compared to the basic one part/component ("1K") clear coats. 2-part/2K can still be bought in an aerosol can, but there is button on the bottom that you push to mix the components prior to application. Here is the description from Eastwood's site:
I was watching some youtube videos last night and went out and bought a can of 2X clear spray however after reading your post I see what you are saying.
Update Well the ebay headlights got returned because the chrome on the passenger headlight went cloudy. The vendor was a real *** about the whole thing lied to me 3 times, finally got ebay involved.
I bought a set of Depo Headlights and they look like a better grade. Thanx to all for the information.
I bought a set of Depo Headlights and they look like a better grade. Thanx to all for the information.