Recently got into an accident so I bought a set of used headlights to replace. They needed a bit of work so I figured it'd be a fun project. Basically, my old headlights were physically damaged but the harnesses and bulbs were good. The used set I bought had typical wear and tear and minor damages and it was missing bulbs and broken harnesses. I basically used all the insides from my old headlights and installed it on the used set I bought. But I used the old headlights for trial and error. I used this DIY to open the headlights: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=957478 You don't really need to take the bulbs out but I did anyways since I was swapping the insides out. You really don't need to leave it in the oven as long as the DIY suggests. I noticed most of the people go with blacking out the housing but I wanted to be different and decided to go with Chrome. But spray can Chrome is horrific and you'll never find one that works perfectly unless you send it to a shop to get it done or spend $150+ on a kit. After shopping around, I ended up just getting the Silver Metallic rustoleum from Home Depot. It seemed some what Chromy and I figured it wouldn't hurt to try. Got home and tried it, and it wasn't chromy but I decided to make just keep it silver. The main reason why I was painting was because the housing seemed a little dirty and I did not like the amber look of the turn signal. All I had to do was paint the turn singal piece and match it to the housing. So it began. I just experimented at first: my old housing At this point I realized I don't even have to paint the housing very much. When you paint it very light coats, the chromy shines goes away but it starts to look as if it has pearl in it. I just had to get the amber piece to match it. Left side is painting without sanding/Right side is painting after sanding (Don't mind the "trash" [any painters or people who have worked in the bodyshops will know what it means] on the left side...I got impatient and just sprayed one big coat LOL) I tried using black primer and not using it, I suggest using primer before applying the silver paint. You will see in the later pictures, but it really helps the silver match with the silver on the housing. So I started with the set that was going to go on the car: After sanding ***I forgot to mention, I decided to tape the shroud because I wanted to keep that part chromy...the reflective housing for the other bulbs are chromy and I thought it'd look really nice if the shroud matched them in between them...you will see what I mean After painting: You see how "dusty" it looks? I think it is very pretty and again, the important thing is the amber piece (originally) has to match the housing. The used set I bought was super foggy and yellow so I sanded it before putting it back together: After sanding After polishing (I used the 3 step paint correction method...I didn't just buy a generic polish from Autozone...but any polish should work but I personally think 3 step paint correction is the ideal since you are polishing in different levels and you do that using a buffer) I put it back together (You don't need to buy silicone or glue to put it back together...Subaru headlights are relatively easy compared to Ford headlights and BMW headlights to open up and close up ...just reheat it for a couple of minutes and you should be good) I decided to change out the turn signal bulb to completely delete the amber look: I forgot the exact name of the bulb..but you can order it pretty much anywhere online or any local stores...When it blinks, it will be AMBER so no need to freak out it being illegal or anything. I re-intalled the harnesses and the bulbs: For some reason the picture makes it look slightly darker but in person, I would say it matches 95%. I didn't want to make it any worse so I left it at that. Paint matching will depend on how good you paint so this should vary. *IMPORTANT NOTE: When painting, each coat needs to be applied SPARINGLY, especially the first coat! I personally let it dry for a couple of hours after painting the first coat. Then I did it in intervals of 15-20 between coats. Do not rush this. Other than the tools stated in the DIY link posted above about opening the headlights, you need: Silver turn signal bulb Sand paper 1500-2000 Grit Polish/Compound Rustoleum Silver Metallic Black primer paint Painters Tape
good job. i would have suggested a retrofit since you already had the lights opened up. i did one a few months ago and was the best thing i have ever done to the car
My original intention was to do a retrofit..but it was just out of my budget and there were a bunch of other things I wanted to do...plus I want to find a better condition headlights for a proper retrofit haha. Thanks.
I want to open mine up and get rid of the amber but I has no oven that currently works. Thought about JDM STI headlights but I don't feel like paying 400+
These headlights are actually insanely easy to open...I think with a heat gun, MAYBE even a hairdryer will work if you know how to open headlights properly...
got to thinking about it today.. I might have to take my orange pieces out and paint the insides body color.. would look good i think.