Is there anybody that has painted their headlight housing that would be interesed in doing a how to? I plan on doing it within the next week or so and was hoping someone could give me something to use as a guide. It doesn't seem too difficult, but I don't feel like messing it up and having to buy new headlights. Any help or tips would be appreciated.

Thank You

 

There is already a how-to. Search for it!

 

Here you go bro....

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...int+headlights

 

There are several "how to's" already done. I used those to do the following headlights. I have also done this for another member. If u want a detailed list of what I used PM me. Also, I would be more than happy to answer any of ur questions.

 

sorry guys, it didn't click in my brain to search for it.

Thanks

 

You don't have to search, it's right here.

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...int+headlights

 

i know, I'm reading it. lol, I clicked on your link. Thank You

 

i did mine... well my fellow cobalt ss/sc buddy pretty much did it... in all honesty... i wouldnt do it unless you had a good weekend that you have nothin to do or anywhere to go unless you have another car. i thought it would be easy for mine. it took 2 1/2 days. make sure you are not in a high humidity atmosphere. paint doesnt work well in that kind of weather. and most of all keep your patients lol i had a tough time with that.

 

Im probably gonna do it next weekend, can't this weekend cuz i gotta work

 

It took me one day (6 hours), 1 friends. a stove, a knife, and 2 screw drivers... not that hard but i made a mistake when i resealed them and had to do it again...stupid glue...just becareful when you reseal so they dont fog...other then that if you arent to bad at painting they come out great...

 

If they fogg up, simply take therm outta the car and remove the lightbulbs. Let it dry for a day and during that time, run a bead of clear silicon sealant around the housing and it should be all good.

 

Sorry about my rude reply^^^^^^^. I was mad about something else when I typed it, otherwise I would have linked you to it.

 

Good luck man, feel free to ask any questions as you get in to it.

My advice is: DO NOT use the hair-dryer method, it puts too much heat in a small area, and warped one of my reflectors

The oven method works much better, and is more reliable

If done right you shouldn't get any fogging at all.

It can def. be done in an evening, but I would allow at least a full day to be safe.

 

Hey, no problem, I have days like that too

 

Quick question for those of you who painted you headlights. What did you use to re-seal your headlights? Should i sand the housing so the paint sticks? And finally, should I put a coat of clear coat on it when before i seal it up?

I plan on getting up early on saturday and doing it. Thanks for your help

 

^^You def. need to sand down the housings first. Start with some heavy grit (~120) and scuff them up completely, then primer, sand, primer, sand, paint, sand, etc. etc. until you are happy with the finish you've created. Then clear, re-seal and call it a day

As far as the re-sealing you'll find mixed opinions. I didn't use any on mine, nor did I remove the stock sealant. The stock sealant is a thermoplastic, meaning that it's properties change with temperature and can be reversed, unlike thermoset materials which change with temp, but are irreversable once set.

This means that while hot the sealant is very soft and workable, but it is nearly rock hard at room temp. Just heat up the housings in an oven, pry them apart, and leave ALL of the sealant where it started while you paint the housing.

Then just re-heat the halves, place in the painted section, and re-assemble while the sealant is still soft enough to allow it. At this stage you can use a hair dryer to heat up local areas of the sealant, if needed. And if for some reason you find an area that didn't re-seal, you can use clear RTV sealant.

I did mine this way and have had zero problems in the last 3-4 months. HTH