- Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:00 am
#67204
I just had to replace my passenger side headlight assembly because the glass broke. I picked up a used replacement and its dirty on the inside, (looks like a light film of oil and dirt). So I was wondering if anyone has ever attempted to to remove the lense and put it back. I was going to try and use a coat hanger with some fabric on the end but it is a pita and I'm afraid I'll just smear it around and make it worse. If anyone has some experience with this or has any idea's of how to do it, I would be forever greatful. Thanks!
- Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:45 am
#67215
The shit thing is, is that the glass and plastic are not just held together with the metal clips, you'll have to use a knife or something too, as they're also glued together. Personally I wouldn't take it apart.
- Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:11 am
#67228
oven
92 civic cx sold!!
horizon gray 94 LX-A wrecked :/
white 92 civic Si (traded)
primered 94 teg sold
92 civic DX sold!!
93 red EX coupe parted out!
93 LS400 Midnight indigo sold!
92 civic LX sold!!
90 240sx sold!
93 faded black EX coupe
horizon gray 94 LX-A wrecked :/
white 92 civic Si (traded)
primered 94 teg sold
92 civic DX sold!!
93 red EX coupe parted out!
93 LS400 Midnight indigo sold!
92 civic LX sold!!
90 240sx sold!
93 faded black EX coupe
- Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:38 pm
#67289
Heat the oven up to 350 and put your headlight in there for about 5mins. STRICTLY 5mins. That'll be enough for the sealant to be soft for you to pry it open. Be sure to have extra sealant with you when you close the headlights again. 
- Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:06 pm
#67781
Bad ass thanks a million! It worked perfect! (almost). I was a bit sceptical at first. I mean how many car projects start off with pre heating the oven to 350. First I tried putting the headlight in front of a space heater, cutting off the excess sealent with a knife and gently prying on the glass with a screwdriver (it didn't sound that stupid in my head, but now that I write it down it's alot more stupid, especially the "prying on the glass with a screwdriver" part). Fortunatly I only chipped a small piece on the corner 
. So I took a break (bad pun), and figured I'd try the advice as It was. Go figure... It not only worked perfectly but was easy as pie. Some advice to others: wear gloves when you take it out of the oven (Hmmm... Makes sense.) and while you work the glass off, oven mits are hard to work in, and now I have to go purchace a new pair before my wife finds headlight goo on her favorite pair. Gently use a flexable thin putty knife, working you way around the glass a little at a time. Don't start in one place and pry until it starts to come off. Use a soft lint free cloth and gently clean the chrome plastic on the inside using care not to scratch. Their was a lot of goo holding the glass on so instead of cleaning it out and using somthing else I put the head light and glass back in the oven at 350* (deg Farenheit) for 3 min. to re-soften the goo. Using the putty knife I took the glass off with I smoothed out the goo in the channel and put the glass on with the clips. By then it had cooled quite a bit so I put it back in the oven for another 3min with the clips on and when it came out I could see a small bead of goo and the gap between the glass and the plastic is slightly larger than the unmolested one so I filled it in with windsheild sealant, (or windscreen sealant if your across the pond) replaced the clips and admired my brand new looking headlight re-installed the headlight put my bumper back on and the corner light, and all was well... Almost...Now the drivers side headlight, that I thought looked great before, Looks a little dingy compaired to the one I just cleaned. 
Oh well now I know how to do it, AND I have a designated pair of oven mits Just for the garage! Thanks for the help!
* Temp and cooking time may vary depending on elevation.
Bad ass thanks a million! It worked perfect! (almost). I was a bit sceptical at first. I mean how many car projects start off with pre heating the oven to 350. First I tried putting the headlight in front of a space heater, cutting off the excess sealent with a knife and gently prying on the glass with a screwdriver (it didn't sound that stupid in my head, but now that I write it down it's alot more stupid, especially the "prying on the glass with a screwdriver" part). Fortunatly I only chipped a small piece on the corner . So I took a break (bad pun), and figured I'd try the advice as It was. Go figure... It not only worked perfectly but was easy as pie. Some advice to others: wear gloves when you take it out of the oven (Hmmm... Makes sense.) and while you work the glass off, oven mits are hard to work in, and now I have to go purchace a new pair before my wife finds headlight goo on her favorite pair. Gently use a flexable thin putty knife, working you way around the glass a little at a time. Don't start in one place and pry until it starts to come off. Use a soft lint free cloth and gently clean the chrome plastic on the inside using care not to scratch. Their was a lot of goo holding the glass on so instead of cleaning it out and using somthing else I put the head light and glass back in the oven at 350* (deg Farenheit) for 3 min. to re-soften the goo. Using the putty knife I took the glass off with I smoothed out the goo in the channel and put the glass on with the clips. By then it had cooled quite a bit so I put it back in the oven for another 3min with the clips on and when it came out I could see a small bead of goo and the gap between the glass and the plastic is slightly larger than the unmolested one so I filled it in with windsheild sealant, (or windscreen sealant if your across the pond) replaced the clips and admired my brand new looking headlight re-installed the headlight put my bumper back on and the corner light, and all was well... Almost...Now the drivers side headlight, that I thought looked great before, Looks a little dingy compaired to the one I just cleaned. Oh well now I know how to do it, AND I have a designated pair of oven mits Just for the garage! Thanks for the help!
* Temp and cooking time may vary depending on elevation.
- Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:02 am
#68435
no a microwave won't work. different form of heat.