Painting headlight covers to match car

[Blanco_Diablo]

What would be the best way to do this. Does it have to be professionally done or is there a type of spraypaint thet will work on them and match the Abyss color well? Is there a way to use touch up paint to do this?

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by Blanco_Diablo »What would be the best way to do this. Buy '03/'04 headlights. This mod is very... delicate. For this DIY project, you have to remove the front bumper, bake the headlamp, w/o melting it, paint it, with I believe high temp paint, and glue the headlamp together and hope it's sealed. If it's not, you'll get condensation.http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=9578

[DavidPIL]

Hiya Blanco,I would suggest going to a local automotive paint supplier and have them mix up the exact color for your car. Then use a paint sprayer called Preval http://www.prevalspraygun.com/ to apply it. You should be able to get this at the paint supplier... I used this paint on my roof rail caps as well as a custom spoiler. It works well though creates a slight orange-peel effect. On such a small surface as the headlight covers, it won't be so noticeable.Since you'll be painting on ABS plastic, I would suggest using an adhesion promoter. You should be able to get this at the paint supplier as well, or at auto-zone. Read the instructions for this and make sure you follow. You should probably ask the paint place for what they recommend just in case they have a better idea.For me, a half pint of mixed Abyss enamel thinned for the preval sprayer cost about $14, the sprayer itself was less than $6 and the adhesion promoter was about $5. I used a standard etching primer for the spoiler and roof caps but they were pre-primed anyway. II'm thinking since these headlight covers are unprimed plastic, it might be best to use the adhesion promoter instead. You should sand the plastic to roughen up the surface a bit to help everything bond well.Hope this helps.Dave

[Blanco_Diablo]

Actually I was referring to the aftermarket, AVS Projektor style covers that should be here any day thanks to fellow gen-viber Scherry2 Although, I do wish I lived near someone who I could trade headlights with. Thanks for the insight V as I have been curious about that process as well.

[Blanco_Diablo]

Great breakdown, thank you! Looks like I will be going paint shopping soon

[kevera]

So,what do you have planned.Inquiring minds want to know.

[scherry2]

well I'm sure this thread will die soon.the headlight covers she is reffering to are Black. lol I sure hope she likes them. they just didn't go with what I wanted.

[Blanco_Diablo]

They are perfect, I actually had them before my accident so I knew what I was getting. Just received them today and they are in great condition! Thanks again

[Blanco_Diablo]

Quote, originally posted by kevera »So,what do you have planned.Inquiring minds want to know.Just thinking I would paint the covers, which seem to be a dark smoke right now, to the actual Abyss metallic black. Debating between that or applying some very realistic carbon fiber vinyl to them form these guys http://www.decalfx.com/carbon_2_sheets.htmlUnsure about the vinyl since it doesn't stretch well and is a b____ to apply to curved surfaces.

[moongdss]

If you srill have the single cover from before your accident, you may try an experimental painting of that one and see how you like it.Adhesion promoter is a must! If you're careful enough, you can use the paint straight from the spraycan if you do it in thin enough layers.

[Blanco_Diablo]

They threw out my one light cover and didn't even replace them like they had initially promised.

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by DavidPIL »Hiya Blanco,I would suggest going to a local automotive paint supplier and have them mix up the exact color for your car. Then use a paint sprayer called Preval http://www.prevalspraygun.com/ to apply it. You should be able to get this at the paint supplier... I used this paint on my roof rail caps as well as a custom spoiler. It works well though creates a slight orange-peel effect. On such a small surface as the headlight covers, it won't be so noticeable.Since you'll be painting on ABS plastic, I would suggest using an adhesion promoter. You should be able to get this at the paint supplier as well, or at auto-zone. Read the instructions for this and make sure you follow. You should probably ask the paint place for what they recommend just in case they have a better idea.For me, a half pint of mixed Abyss enamel thinned for the preval sprayer cost about $14, the sprayer itself was less than $6 and the adhesion promoter was about $5. I used a standard etching primer for the spoiler and roof caps but they were pre-primed anyway. II'm thinking since these headlight covers are unprimed plastic, it might be best to use the adhesion promoter instead. You should sand the plastic to roughen up the surface a bit to help everything bond well.Hope this helps.DavePretty much EVERYTHING he just said. Also, for headlight baking, I can tell you from experience make sure you get the temps and times RIGHT!240 Deg BAKE (not broil!) at 4-6 min intervals. Check them every 4-6 mins! do not just leave them in there or they will bubble! Also, use a glass pan or dish to hold the lights, don't just place them on the bare metal grill in the oven (I would assume most people would probably figure this out, but just in case you don't).If you are worried about condensation and don't plan to change your headlights or your paint job is PERFECT, I will suggest using some high temp adhesive called "The Right Stuff". This is used on engines as a gasket sealer, so once you put this in the headlight to seal it, you won't be getting them apart again! It won't start breaking down til well over 400 deg! I have cleared and painted about 4 or 5 sets of headlights now. PITA, but once they are done, they're gorgeous!

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by Blanco_Diablo »Actually I was referring to the aftermarket, AVS Projektor style covers that should be here any day thanks to fellow gen-viber Scherry2 Although, I do wish I lived near someone who I could trade headlights with. Thanks for the insight V as I have been curious about that process as well.I see. you are talking about eyelids of some sort?

[ToolGuy]

Here is what you need to do and what I did for my white Cavalier Z24.You go buy clear headlamp covers for your Vibe.Go to the local auto parts store and buy a scotch bright scuff pad. Scuff the BACKSIDES of the clear covers. From that same local auto store or a GM dealer buy your exact Vibes color spray paint DupliColor makes it and can be found easily. Paint the backsides of the covers a few times. Let dry...Now if your Day Time Running Lamps still function, the light from them will probably shine through the paint you just put down. You can fasten them to the car to check this too. So you will also have to spray black on top of color you just put down. Do not scuff the color you put down, you can but it is not necessarily needed. (in your case you would probably not need to pain them black)All of this paint has plenty of flex agent in it and can withstand the heat, NO problems! $12 for paint $30 or whatever for covers and that is it!Let all dry. You are done! Fasten them to the car and enjoy the new look! I can make you clear fog lamp covers and with your left over paint you can spray those body color to match too.

[hckeynut15]

Baking lamps to get them apart. (Type 1 hotmelt)I don't recommend this. Earlier post said "good luck trying to get them sealed again"... concerned over condensation. This is correct. If you feel compelled to do this anyway, at the plant, our warranty engineers place the lamps in an oven at 80 degrees C for about 10 minutes. This is just enough time and heat to get the lamp apart. You'll have to pull the 8 or 9 hooks on the housing back to release the lens (not a big deal). Also, I think there are 2 screws that have been driven through the seal track that you'll have to remove. You'll need a P1 Phillips driver to remove the screws. You should heat the lamps back up again at the same temp/time to try and re-seal the lamps. You might also consider going to an automotive supplier to see if they have a thermo-set sealer in black or gray (to match the current sealant) and match the type 1 hotmelt used in your lamps. Should want to do this once instead of waiting to see if your lamps leak and then take action.- Jim

[keithvibe]

When I baked open my headlamps I heated the oven to 200deg. Once it was heated to 200. Turned off the oven placed the headlamp in the oven for 10mins.After ten mins I slowly pryed the headlamp open.To reseal it i did the same process in the same order.But to get them resealed with out issue I used a bar clamps on mutiple locations to compress the adhesive.I have not had one issue with condensation. I have taken the car threw the car wash now 10times with out any sign of water.

[Sublimewind]

Thanks markys, and welcome to GV.. The last time someone posted on this was 12/22/08 though, brotha..

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »When I baked open my headlamps I heated the oven to 200deg. Once it was heated to 200. Turned off the oven placed the headlamp in the oven for 10mins.After ten mins I slowly pryed the headlamp open.To reseal it i did the same process in the same order.But to get them resealed with out issue I used a bar clamps on mutiple locations to compress the adhesive.I have not had one issue with condensation. I have taken the car threw the car wash now 10times with out any sign of water.I have much practice in this. LOL. and yes, that's pretty much what I do, but at 240 deg and 8 mins. what you DON'T WANT TO DO is put them in for 400 deg and 8 mins. They melt!And I've used a heat gun method as well, and equally not good results. just can't get an even heat to melt the sealant.