Painting headlight housings

Merv · 12-04-2014, 10:27 AM

So I purchased some 90mm halo rings and a can of dark teal spray paint to do my headlights this weekend. I've searched around trying to find out on how to prep the surface area once I crack them open,but haven't found anything. The paint I'm using is duplicolor "perfect match". Do I need to just scuff the surface or do I need to really sand it down so the paint can really stick? And should I pick up primer as well? Don't think there is primer mixed in with this paint. Thanks for any replies and I will post up picks of the finished project on this thread.

zefaulter · 12-04-2014, 12:33 PM

primer is the way to go I believe

OldFart · 12-04-2014, 02:40 PM

I did a wet sand with 600 grit then used an adhesion promotor, after that base coat/clear and done...

Merv · 12-04-2014, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldFart

I did a wet sand with 600 grit then used an adhesion promotor, after that base coat/clear and done...

How much sanding did you do? Just enough to scuff them or did you take it down to the bare plastic? Thanks for the replies guys

OldFart · 12-04-2014, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merv

How much sanding did you do? Just enough to scuff them or did you take it down to the bare plastic? Thanks for the replies guys

Did just enough to scuff it, but even then the chrome pretty much comes right off.

Zcoupe · 12-04-2014, 06:02 PM

I used a red scotch pad and scuffed every nook and cranny i could get into and then applied adhesion promoter and than sprayed away

Merv · 12-04-2014, 10:42 PM

Thanks for the advise guys. After doing the last clear coat,do I have to scuff that with some 3000 grit sandpaper then use polish? That's what I did to my tailights on my other car. Just don't want the Orange peel effect!Got all my goodies now,just gotta wait til Saturday!

OldFart · 12-05-2014, 01:52 AM

My light isn't as smooth as glass but I dont have any orange peel either. I wouldn't see the need to do it unless ya have to...

Merv · 12-06-2014, 11:13 PM

So I tackled my headlights today and most of it went pretty smooth,all except one of the clear plastic covers on the outside of the headlight. Had all of my parts painted up,clear coated and ready to put back together. So I went to wipe down the inside of the plastic cover and thought acetone would work good. Well **** me,the plastic started hazing over on me! I ran to a store and picked up a headlight restoration kit hoping that would work,but alas it was not to be. So after a lot of cursing,swearing and throwing tools,I put it back together to fight with another day.
I think they use a uv layer on the inside and I must of agitated it. I'm hoping someone has an idea on how to fix it,but I'm not holding my breathe. I think I will have to find another clear lense somewhere. Does anyone know if it's a seep rate part # or does it come with the whole headlight assembly? Thanx for any replies.

Merv · 12-06-2014, 11:21 PM

I guess I should also ask if anyone knows how to hook up the halos so that when your driving,only the halo rings come on. There's no setting on the lights where the headlamps don't come on. I've searched high and low for info so if someone knows or has a link,that'd be great. I'll throw some love your way

axmea? · 12-06-2014, 11:55 PM

Sorry this happened. I read a bunch of articles on how to get your headlights restored when marred by acetone. Unless you have the right tools and chemicals, you will probably make it worse. A decent body shop can restore your headlights. Will have to do some sanding 1k, 2k, 3k and use high quality clear. Good luck bro.

Merv · 12-07-2014, 01:07 AM

Ya from what I've been reading,that's only a band aid. Gonna see if I can find a wrecker that's local with a headlight.

Merv · 12-07-2014, 09:37 AM

Has anybody taken out the daytime running light relay? Or folded over a pin on it? I did that on my last vehicle so just the halos came on. Think I'll try pullin it out. See if that does anything.

12-04-2014, 10:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
Merv Track Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Vancouver B.C Posts: 518 Drives: 11 GM grey sport tou Rep Power: 15	Painting headlight housings So I purchased some 90mm halo rings and a can of dark teal spray paint to do my headlights this weekend. I've searched around trying to find out on how to prep the surface area once I crack them open,but haven't found anything. The paint I'm using is duplicolor "perfect match". Do I need to just scuff the surface or do I need to really sand it down so the paint can really stick? And should I pick up primer as well? Don't think there is primer mixed in with this paint. Thanks for any replies and I will post up picks of the finished project on this thread.

12-06-2014, 11:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Merv Track Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Vancouver B.C Posts: 518 Drives: 11 GM grey sport tou Rep Power: 15	Problem report So I tackled my headlights today and most of it went pretty smooth,all except one of the clear plastic covers on the outside of the headlight. Had all of my parts painted up,clear coated and ready to put back together. So I went to wipe down the inside of the plastic cover and thought acetone would work good. Well **** me,the plastic started hazing over on me! I ran to a store and picked up a headlight restoration kit hoping that would work,but alas it was not to be. So after a lot of cursing,swearing and throwing tools,I put it back together to fight with another day. I think they use a uv layer on the inside and I must of agitated it. I'm hoping someone has an idea on how to fix it,but I'm not holding my breathe. I think I will have to find another clear lense somewhere. Does anyone know if it's a seep rate part # or does it come with the whole headlight assembly? Thanx for any replies.

12-06-2014, 11:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
axmea? A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,236 Drives: WELL ZED PW 6MT Rep Power: 53241	Sorry this happened. I read a bunch of articles on how to get your headlights restored when marred by acetone. Unless you have the right tools and chemicals, you will probably make it worse. A decent body shop can restore your headlights. Will have to do some sanding 1k, 2k, 3k and use high quality clear. Good luck bro. __________________ >MyZ's Album< NISMO Convert/ECUTEK/Takeda CAI/F.I. HFC NR CB Carbon/F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler/4.08 Final Drive /Powertrix+Swifts/Hotchkis/SPL/Whiteline/TWM/Zoom Engineering/EVO-R/AeroJacket Vented CF Fenders + CF Spoiler/Avant Garde-WORK/NST/Morimoto Halo/STi Clear Lenses/Carbon Signal Automotive/RJM Performance/ZSpeed Clutch Flywheel CSC delete

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12-04-2014, 12:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
zefaulter A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,983 Drives: 40th 370Z Rep Power: 27	primer is the way to go I believe

12-04-2014, 02:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
OldFart Track Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Carlisle, PA Age: 62 Posts: 682 Drives: 2011 Wannabe Nismo Rep Power: 960	I did a wet sand with 600 grit then used an adhesion promotor, after that base coat/clear and done...

12-04-2014, 06:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zcoupe Base Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 24 Drives: 370z(11') 6spd Rep Power: 12	I used a red scotch pad and scuffed every nook and cranny i could get into and then applied adhesion promoter and than sprayed away

12-04-2014, 10:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Merv Track Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Vancouver B.C Posts: 518 Drives: 11 GM grey sport tou Rep Power: 15	Thanks for the advise guys. After doing the last clear coat,do I have to scuff that with some 3000 grit sandpaper then use polish? That's what I did to my tailights on my other car. Just don't want the Orange peel effect!Got all my goodies now,just gotta wait til Saturday!

12-05-2014, 01:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
OldFart Track Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Carlisle, PA Age: 62 Posts: 682 Drives: 2011 Wannabe Nismo Rep Power: 960	My light isn't as smooth as glass but I dont have any orange peel either. I wouldn't see the need to do it unless ya have to...

12-06-2014, 11:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
Merv Track Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Vancouver B.C Posts: 518 Drives: 11 GM grey sport tou Rep Power: 15	I guess I should also ask if anyone knows how to hook up the halos so that when your driving,only the halo rings come on. There's no setting on the lights where the headlamps don't come on. I've searched high and low for info so if someone knows or has a link,that'd be great. I'll throw some love your way

12-07-2014, 01:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
Merv Track Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Vancouver B.C Posts: 518 Drives: 11 GM grey sport tou Rep Power: 15	Ya from what I've been reading,that's only a band aid. Gonna see if I can find a wrecker that's local with a headlight.

12-07-2014, 09:37 AM	#13 (permalink)
Merv Track Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Vancouver B.C Posts: 518 Drives: 11 GM grey sport tou Rep Power: 15	Has anybody taken out the daytime running light relay? Or folded over a pin on it? I did that on my last vehicle so just the halos came on. Think I'll try pullin it out. See if that does anything.