Hi Was planning to install low beam HIDs and decided that I wanted to make sure that all adjusters were working and that the headlight lenses were clean. So I decided to remove headlights to do all the above. I bought a spare set of lights to fix before removing the installed ones and worked on the spare set. I noticed that you have to be very carefull when removing the clips to not break the glass lips or the plastic tabs they clip over, it's best to slide them over the plastic very carefully rather than the glass, the glass lip can chip off. I used a heat gun to separate the lens from the headlight base. I didn't really like the idea of reheating to reseal, didn't seem very even or reliable. So I remembered the way it was done on my SAAB 9000 headlights. Same clips but sealed with a beading of neoprene rubber. After separating the lenses I cleaned all the goo off both the lens and the body. This is easy on the lens using a sharp replaceable blade knife. On the base I used a screwdriver to scrape most of the goo off and finished up with turps to disolve the rest. I then bought some neoprene rubber from Clark Rubber (where else?). It comes in various widths and thickness all with an adhesive backing. I found the 6mm thick stuff to be generally the best but if you have any possible gaps you can get 7.5mm and 10mm thick strips as well. The stuff that I bought was 25mm wide so I cut it in half. You only need about 1.5m for both lights. Stick the rubber to the base, place the lens on top, squeeze the front of the lens and the base together and place the clips in place. Then goto the back and install the clips. It makes a great seal and definitely makes it easier for next time. I found that it was easier to install the HID globes with the headlight units out of the car and this would definitely be true for the high beams which I will do some time soon.
Wow... ...that's an excellent job. Very clean & proffessional looking. Good Idea using the adhesive strip. Is it adhesive on both sides or just one?? I'm thinking of doing coloured (probably a dark burgandy) inserts with a chrome ring around main beam fascia.
Interesting idea with the rubber. You said it's adhesive both sides? Will it be possible to remove the lens in future if you want to without tearing the rubber? Hopefully the adhesive isn't too strong Those clips you mention, I found the easiest way is to use a flat head screwdriver with a nice fat end. Push it under those clips and lever them up, so that pressure is placed on the plastic, NOT the glass. They come straight off with no damage.
No its not adhesive on both sides. One side is self-adhesive and the other side isn't. All that strip is doing is making a seal by pressure from the clips, so removing it next time would be extremely easy (as ACTZX said). The neoprene tape actually comes in 12mm wide as well if you didn't want to cut it in half. You could try this with a bulb seal if the gap varies (trying to seal a 5mm gap with a 10mm piece of rubber puts excess strain on the glass and clips). But this looks like a fantastic job!
The final photo is without the glass I've since installed them in the Z but here's a final photo. You can't see the rubber once the headlight is installed. The neoprene strip is adhesive only on one side and you don't see it once the glass is on. It only seals the edges, is a real clean solution and no more oven or heat gun required. After I removed the light assembly, it took me about 30 - 40 minutes per light to clean off the goo. So - low beam HIDs, low beam always on mod, metal gears on 2 small adjusters per light, slotted mounting bolt for easier future removal (inboard at rear) and the seal, not bad for a about 4 hours work.
Nice job, and a great write-up - should be in the Tech Section. btw, where'd you get the water from in the pic? Obviously a prop. It doesn't rain here. Cheers, Peter
It did this afternoon, Peter at precisely 5:25 for the standard 5 minutes. I went out for a photo and it had just started. I wiped it off with a chamois and but it was still raining. 1 minute later I tried again and it had stopped. Won't affect the water restrictions though. The Neoprene shouldn't bleed, as I said, I got the idea from what SAAB does with their cars, and it's compressed. If condensation does get in, (remember the globe apertures aren't airtight) then it's not a major job to clean them again.
Well i just took out the headlights to give them a reseal.What an absolute pain in the arse trying to get the lens separated from the headlight housing,That stuff is like super glue :bash: :bash: :bash: Im now contemplating getting the black insert plastic chromed ,i just dont think 2 pak paint would take the heat in there I will also put some hid highs in there at the same time i think
Pretty sure Blipman, had his chromed years ago, but i think it finished up cracking. search might reveal more.
Yeah, from memory it had something to do with not being the correct type of plastic(unsuitable for successful chrome plating). RedZedMikey provided the technical details on the issue at the time.:zlove:
As much as I enjoy this tech write-up, for whatever reason I cannot see the pics ????? I have tried to view it on 3 computers at home (all dial-up) and no show, is it a broad band thing??
Thanks for that Lloyd, I was wondering why the PC was beeping every minute, advising me to "open door". PS: still can't see pics.
Not sure about that Wayne. Is your browser/viewer set to accept all formats? I have just PM'd the Tech post to you. Check if it works via PM.:zlove::zlove:
