Problem removing headlight lens

Tward · 08-06-2012, 07:55 PM

I am trying the oven method, but i am not sure what all needs to be removed to be considered safe for the oven. I have read the DIY by Caravanshaka and he doesn't really show the headlight should look like before you put it in the oven.

Skorch · 08-06-2012, 07:58 PM

Heat gun is a better idea...

Tward · 08-06-2012, 08:00 PM

Should i try that instead? I was doing it earlier and it seemed like the plastic tabs on the side were melting.

Tward · 08-06-2012, 08:03 PM

Does the plastic lens that wraps around the bottom come off as well? Not really sure where at on the bottom of the headlight i am supposed to be heating up

Skorch · 08-06-2012, 08:08 PM

You need to heat it up all around, not just specific areas. Get it nice and hot and start prying. I'm gonna have to re-open mine tomorrow night too.. :-/

Apoc370z · 08-06-2012, 08:59 PM

Yeah you have to warm the edges and you will be able to pry it open with your hand or with the end of a plastic pannel removal tool.

Make sure you heat a small section evenly instead of heating a point for too long.

Buttttt, i would encourage you to practice on a cheaper set of headlights first because it gonna be a nice hole in your wallet if you mess these up.

Or just sneak professional help

Baer383 · 08-06-2012, 09:11 PM

The oven method works just fine,it needs to be in the oven for 250 deg. for 10 minutes then get someone else to hold one side while you pull on the lens it will come straight out.

Tward · 08-07-2012, 12:32 PM

Alright i got the lens separated from the headlights. Simota mentioned on his DIY that you need to clean the excess sealant off, how clean does it actually need to be to make sure that when resealing it i have no leaks?

Thanks guys

Baer383 · 08-07-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tward

Alright i got the lens separated from the headlights. Simota mentioned on his DIY that you need to clean the excess sealant off, how clean does it actually need to be to make sure that when resealing it i have no leaks?

Thanks guys

You don't have to take the sealant out just reuse it, it will reseal, it is WAY to much of a hassle to remove it

Tward · 08-07-2012, 01:07 PM

Should I seal up the headlight then reheat it so the old sealant and new sealant conform together?

tibal · 08-07-2012, 01:32 PM

Just put the lens back in place as much as you can and then pop it in the oven. I then will close it as much as I can again, and then repeat until its all sealed. Stock, they have a shat-ton of sealent so it shouldnt be an issue. Also, Headlights are not "air-tight" even from factory.

tibal · 08-07-2012, 01:33 PM

Also, the oven is the best IMO, you will not damage the headlight as long as your sub 250deg. I have done countless sets for Maximas, Gs and Zs and no issues ever.

I cant imagine using a heat gun, it is hard enough to open when the entire assembly is warmed up.

bullitt5897 · 08-07-2012, 01:35 PM

You can actually do the oven method at 200~225* I have found that it takes the same amount of time as 250 and you run less danger of burning yourself. FYI start at the back and work your way forward. Be careful and take your time I have done a dozen of these and I recommend adding new sealant to ensure that you do not have any leaks. Also make sure the inside of the lens is spotless and that the housing is clean as well. I just did a set a few weeks ago that I missed one little spot and because the customer had LED's I had to be really careful pulling it all back apart.

Remember dont yank on the lens just apply constant pressure when trying to pry the unit apart. If it doesnt give at all then it needs to be heated some more. The headlight should be ready anywhere from 7~10min in the oven. Also remember to remove all bulbs, ballast and wiring harness. The only loose item should be the connector for the main projector and that unit you can stuff into the housing.

Mike

Tward · 08-07-2012, 01:58 PM

Thanks for all of the comments. I have gotten the lens separated from headlight, I am now resealing the headlight. Just apply sealant and press the lens to the headlight?

Baer383 · 08-07-2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tward

Thanks for all of the comments. I have gotten the lens separated from headlight, I am now resealing the headlight. Just apply sealant and press the lens to the headlight?

Heat the body up in the oven for ten minutes then press it together.

08-06-2012, 07:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Skorch Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 469 Drives: 2012 370Z Rep Power: 540	Heat gun is a better idea... __________________ '12 370Z + Sport \| Stillen Gen3 Intakes \| Stillen UD Pulley \| Motordyne M370 \| FI Exhaust \| FI HFCs \| 4.08 Gears \| Uprev tuned

08-06-2012, 08:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tward Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 318 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z BS M6 Rep Power: 14	Should i try that instead? I was doing it earlier and it seemed like the plastic tabs on the side were melting. __________________ Nismo S - Tune Body Kit/ UAM Fenders / Fast Intentions CBE 12/ Stillen CAI/ PWD JDM Shift Knob/BlueBat Vinyl' R.I.P Garrett Uekman

08-06-2012, 08:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Skorch Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 469 Drives: 2012 370Z Rep Power: 540	You need to heat it up all around, not just specific areas. Get it nice and hot and start prying. I'm gonna have to re-open mine tomorrow night too.. :-/ __________________ '12 370Z + Sport \| Stillen Gen3 Intakes \| Stillen UD Pulley \| Motordyne M370 \| FI Exhaust \| FI HFCs \| 4.08 Gears \| Uprev tuned

08-06-2012, 09:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Baer383 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lawrenceville,Ga Posts: 4,293 Drives: My foot up your azz Rep Power: 30	The oven method works just fine,it needs to be in the oven for 250 deg. for 10 minutes then get someone else to hold one side while you pull on the lens it will come straight out. __________________ 2013 ZL1 754 rwhp 747 rwtq

08-07-2012, 12:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tward Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 318 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z BS M6 Rep Power: 14	Alright i got the lens separated from the headlights. Simota mentioned on his DIY that you need to clean the excess sealant off, how clean does it actually need to be to make sure that when resealing it i have no leaks? Thanks guys __________________ Nismo S - Tune Body Kit/ UAM Fenders / Fast Intentions CBE 12/ Stillen CAI/ PWD JDM Shift Knob/BlueBat Vinyl' R.I.P Garrett Uekman

08-06-2012, 08:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Apoc370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 999 Drives: 2011 GM z34 Rep Power: 15	Yeah you have to warm the edges and you will be able to pry it open with your hand or with the end of a plastic pannel removal tool. Make sure you heat a small section evenly instead of heating a point for too long. Buttttt, i would encourage you to practice on a cheaper set of headlights first because it gonna be a nice hole in your wallet if you mess these up. Or just sneak professional help

08-07-2012, 01:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tward Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 318 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z BS M6 Rep Power: 14	Should I seal up the headlight then reheat it so the old sealant and new sealant conform together? __________________ Nismo S - Tune Body Kit/ UAM Fenders / Fast Intentions CBE 12/ Stillen CAI/ PWD JDM Shift Knob/BlueBat Vinyl' R.I.P Garrett Uekman

08-07-2012, 01:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
tibal Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Safest Town In America Posts: 987 Drives: TT-370Z and 2.5RS Rep Power: 18	Just put the lens back in place as much as you can and then pop it in the oven. I then will close it as much as I can again, and then repeat until its all sealed. Stock, they have a shat-ton of sealent so it shouldnt be an issue. Also, Headlights are not "air-tight" even from factory. __________________ 2010 - PG - M6 - 370zTT 453/409 6lbs IG @TRbal10 TEAM FLY1 MOTORSPORTS

08-07-2012, 01:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
tibal Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Safest Town In America Posts: 987 Drives: TT-370Z and 2.5RS Rep Power: 18	Also, the oven is the best IMO, you will not damage the headlight as long as your sub 250deg. I have done countless sets for Maximas, Gs and Zs and no issues ever. I cant imagine using a heat gun, it is hard enough to open when the entire assembly is warmed up. __________________ 2010 - PG - M6 - 370zTT 453/409 6lbs IG @TRbal10 TEAM FLY1 MOTORSPORTS

08-07-2012, 01:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
bullitt5897 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North GA Posts: 6,831 Drives: Twin Turbo Z34 Rep Power: 3682	You can actually do the oven method at 200~225* I have found that it takes the same amount of time as 250 and you run less danger of burning yourself. FYI start at the back and work your way forward. Be careful and take your time I have done a dozen of these and I recommend adding new sealant to ensure that you do not have any leaks. Also make sure the inside of the lens is spotless and that the housing is clean as well. I just did a set a few weeks ago that I missed one little spot and because the customer had LED's I had to be really careful pulling it all back apart. Remember dont yank on the lens just apply constant pressure when trying to pry the unit apart. If it doesnt give at all then it needs to be heated some more. The headlight should be ready anywhere from 7~10min in the oven. Also remember to remove all bulbs, ballast and wiring harness. The only loose item should be the connector for the main projector and that unit you can stuff into the housing. Mike __________________ *Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z SOLD, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054*

08-07-2012, 01:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tward Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 318 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z BS M6 Rep Power: 14	Thanks for all of the comments. I have gotten the lens separated from headlight, I am now resealing the headlight. Just apply sealant and press the lens to the headlight? __________________ Nismo S - Tune Body Kit/ UAM Fenders / Fast Intentions CBE 12/ Stillen CAI/ PWD JDM Shift Knob/BlueBat Vinyl' R.I.P Garrett Uekman

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