Evolution of a Headlight - Finally Done!
Evolution of a Headlight - Finally Done! Well, i've been one of the more outspoken critics of GM with the design of the new Impala front end, moreso regarding the big'ole headlights we got. In my quest to change that, i've done a few different things to decrease their "prominence" up front. I tried Vinyl eyelids, which i still like. I've tried tint, which didn't come out so well. I even tried separating the lights to paint the chrome so that they blend into the body more. I think i've found a winner! You decide:
First i tried the eyelids:
Then i tried the tint:
And finally, what i was searching for (don't mind the dirt, condensation and my toes should they show up anywhere in the following pics). I'll admit it takes some getting used to, but in the end it's unique and i'm a happy camper (although the wife hates them...but she hated the eyelids too :roll
.
First i tried the eyelids:
Then i tried the tint:
And finally, what i was searching for (don't mind the dirt, condensation and my toes should they show up anywhere in the following pics). I'll admit it takes some getting used to, but in the end it's unique and i'm a happy camper (although the wife hates them...but she hated the eyelids too :roll
. I went over the "splitting" process in the other thread, so i'm not going to go over it again, but i made another unique modification here. I bought some reflective black vinyl and using an "SS" template, i was able to cover the amber reflector with the reflective vinyl and add an illuminated "SS" cutout. I fell asleep and didn't get the nighttime pics i wanted, so i'll do those later. It's pretty freakin sweet IMO...but you be the judge:
To show reflective vinyl example only...i redid this "SS" cutout so that it was centered better for the final version:
I know the "SS" is not perfect, but it's pretty good. There are other imperfections with the headlights too, including some paint imperfections and scratches on the lenses. I used what i had knowing that i'd be tinting the lenses too, so you won't see those issues soon.
I'm going to have them tinted by www.Jonstintedtails.com in Jersey, but now i'm not sure how dark i'm willing to go. I was thinking medium (25% tint), but now i'm leaning towards a light-medium so that you can still see the handywork (roughly 15-20% tint). We'll see, but for now, i'm happy where i am.
To show reflective vinyl example only...i redid this "SS" cutout so that it was centered better for the final version:
I know the "SS" is not perfect, but it's pretty good. There are other imperfections with the headlights too, including some paint imperfections and scratches on the lenses. I used what i had knowing that i'd be tinting the lenses too, so you won't see those issues soon.
I'm going to have them tinted by www.Jonstintedtails.com in Jersey, but now i'm not sure how dark i'm willing to go. I was thinking medium (25% tint), but now i'm leaning towards a light-medium so that you can still see the handywork (roughly 15-20% tint). We'll see, but for now, i'm happy where i am.
Thanks for the compliments.
Only one setback so far with this project: The reflector on the passenger side is popping out so i'm going to need to split it again and glue it in place. It's not horrible looking, but definitely not something i expected to see such a short time after. Don't know if it warped slightly due to the heat of the oven (last time i did 30min @ 300* and it shriveled up like saran wrap...but this time at 220* for 35min it held shape), or maybe the added thickness of the vinyl & paint on the housing is making it pop. Either way, i'll make the necessary adjustments. Unfortunately, after washing the car i realized that i did quite a good job resealing them...there was absolutely no condensation afterward. I'd hate to break it up for something so miniscule, but that's just me. Hell, it will also offer me the opportunity to touch up the fingerprints in there and to remove the piece of hair
After an entire day, i must say i really, really like them. At first, i second guessed myself. The car looked like it had glasses on. Now, i must agree, i think it looks bada$$! I snapped some nighttime pics with the HIDs reinstalled...pretty nice. I'll post them later.
I may consider doing these (for a profit) for other members, but i need to think up a good "business plan" to make sure it's worthwhile. I mentioned it in another thread, but in order to do anything like this for someone else, they would need to be on a spare set of headlights. Due to the possibility of mangling the housing beyond recognition, and b/c i don't really have time to dedicate to doing this for others, i wouldn't want someone to be without their car for an extended period of time if i couldn't get this done over a couple day span.
Only one setback so far with this project: The reflector on the passenger side is popping out so i'm going to need to split it again and glue it in place. It's not horrible looking, but definitely not something i expected to see such a short time after. Don't know if it warped slightly due to the heat of the oven (last time i did 30min @ 300* and it shriveled up like saran wrap...but this time at 220* for 35min it held shape), or maybe the added thickness of the vinyl & paint on the housing is making it pop. Either way, i'll make the necessary adjustments. Unfortunately, after washing the car i realized that i did quite a good job resealing them...there was absolutely no condensation afterward. I'd hate to break it up for something so miniscule, but that's just me. Hell, it will also offer me the opportunity to touch up the fingerprints in there and to remove the piece of hair
After an entire day, i must say i really, really like them. At first, i second guessed myself. The car looked like it had glasses on. Now, i must agree, i think it looks bada$$! I snapped some nighttime pics with the HIDs reinstalled...pretty nice. I'll post them later.
I may consider doing these (for a profit) for other members, but i need to think up a good "business plan" to make sure it's worthwhile. I mentioned it in another thread, but in order to do anything like this for someone else, they would need to be on a spare set of headlights. Due to the possibility of mangling the housing beyond recognition, and b/c i don't really have time to dedicate to doing this for others, i wouldn't want someone to be without their car for an extended period of time if i couldn't get this done over a couple day span.
Here are some pics of the warping reflectors...oh yeah, and i've got a dead mosquito stuck between the glass and the painted black area 
Guess i'll need to figure out how to get those dust caps back on 
Guess i'll need to figure out how to get those dust caps back on Trending Topics
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As soon as someone helps me come up with an idea to keep the illuminated "SS," i'll consider doing others' lights. Actually, i have my semi-stock (eyelidded) set here that i'll be able to do something with once i complete mine.
Actually, i have my semi-stock (eyelidded) set here that i'll be able to do something with once i complete mine. 
Hey Buff, I just saw a show on DIY network, that did this to some EVO headlights. He put the lamps in the oven at 225*F for only 10 minutes and then used a heat gun to further heat any areas that were "sticking". No damage was done to the amber reflector in that housing. How long did you put yours in the oven for?
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
45 minutes at 400*, stirring once...
Just kidding. I like the complete tint idea if they would actually look ... well, black and not brown. One of those pictures they look great (I think it is the last one).
I like the last set of pics as well, this one the best though:
You definitely put a lot of work into this.
Just kidding. I like the complete tint idea if they would actually look ... well, black and not brown. One of those pictures they look great (I think it is the last one).
I like the last set of pics as well, this one the best though:
You definitely put a lot of work into this.
Originally Posted by Nacho SS
Two questions now that I read both threads...
1. Do the eyelids go on the inside or outside?
2. [random] Did you spray the VHT on your tails on the inside or the outside? [/random]
1. Do the eyelids go on the inside or outside?
2. [random] Did you spray the VHT on your tails on the inside or the outside? [/random]
2. VHT went on the outside as well.
Originally Posted by Corny40
Hey Buff, I just saw a show on DIY network, that did this to some EVO headlights. He put the lamps in the oven at 225*F for only 10 minutes and then used a heat gun to further heat any areas that were "sticking". No damage was done to the amber reflector in that housing. How long did you put yours in the oven for?
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Buff, I did this to both of my headlights. First one using the oven at 225 degree for 20 minutes. came out without damaging the reflector but had some light lines in the lens. The second one I did with using a heat gun only and it worked great. Took me 2 hours to get it apart, all silicone adhesive removed and the chrome taped up to paint. The key was heating 5-7 inches of the silicone then taking a hook and digging the silicon out. Took 2 to 3 trips around the light to get enough out to pry the lens loose. After the lens was separated, the cleanup went quick. Just heated up the remaining silicon for 5 to 10 seconds over a 8 to 10 inch area and scraped it off. Caution, dont let the heat gun linger in one postion for more than a couple of seconds or the black housing will get disfigured. The housing gets bent some when you pry the lens loose so I just reheated it and used a pair of plyers to squeeze it back into position. No leaks when I resealed them after painting.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
corny, just have the finished pics. I will be replacing the baked lens that had the way lines from the oven in a few days (ordered a new headlight assembly) and will take pics from beginning to end and post them....ron
Thanks Ron. I assume the lines were from the oven shelves? If so, The DIY show I saw put some damp towels on a cookie sheet and placed the light face down on the towels, so they didn't get any "lines," if you were thinking of using the oven again.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Corny, actually the lines were from the heat of the oven. I placed the headlight on 2 boards so no part was touching the oven. They were More like stress fractures inside the lens. They dont look bad other than I notice them. The light that I did with the heat gun came out great...no disfigurement of the lens at all. lol ,...ron