AU FALCON/Fairmont Headlights Mod Help ? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

AU1SIXA · 05-28-2003, 17:58

Hi i have just been looking in the showroom about the Au Picture thread and have noticed a few with the headlights to make them look like the t - series headlights. I have done some searching and have found bits and peices of how to do the mod. Maybee Falkeen or JCV8 can help me out on this one. I would really like to know the exact way you did it, How hard, How did you get the crome off the lights. What paint should i use. What sealer do i use to reseal with and last and not least a Photo Of both headlights close up so i can see exactly what has been painted and what has not. Also how well does the indicator work without the crome inside. All help would be great as i would love to attept this mod on the weekend and post some pics of my car up after i have done this.

Steve B

Aussie Pete · 05-28-2003, 18:15

Headlight Disassembly?

I know it's BA but when you pull the lights apart you'll see what needs to be painted and why indicator lenses are separate etc etc.

JC-XR8 · 05-28-2003, 19:49

Steve - Here's the AU method I used as advised by MADNC_8:

Quote:

Orinigally posted by MADNC_8
I repair Headlights day in day out its what i do AU headlight lenses are stuck in with silastic, so you can put tehm in an oven for bout 5 or 10 min at 170/180 deg Celsius (note, I only did mine at 100 degrees C - JCV8) to heat the silastic up enough to get them apart

yes the insert is the only difference - if you do paint them make sure you prime them well

when you pull em apart dont try to pull the lens and the insert together - the insert is screwed in by 1 screw behind the indicator - this is fairly easy to get out 3 little tags hold it in place

once you have done it refit the insert, indicator lens, squirt a little - and only a little or you will end up with a black mess!!!! - (trust me i did the first time) black silastic in the chanel so hte light doesnt leak and carefully fit the lens on

put it in the oven on the same temp andwait bout 10 min (ish) for the silastic to heat

press the lens on fully and get some duct tape and tape the lens on "tightly" from front to back this will ensure the lens doesnt pop out while setting

I have found that parts of mine have bubbled - I guess the lights get pretty hot, I would recommend using engine enamel to avoid this.

Oh, and -->here<--- is a link to Falkeen's original thread discussing this issue as well.

AU1SIXA · 05-29-2003, 01:00

Once i dissasemble the lights do i just lighttly sand and prepsol then use a acrylic matt blac or a enamel matt black what is the differance with the two.

Steve

also i cant use heat proof stuff as they dont make heet proof for plastic non that i can find anyways. Its all for engine part ect.

thanks any help guys im starting this mod tommorow night
in the garage.

FalKeen · 05-29-2003, 01:18

mate i sanded my chrome paint off and worked fine but someone else (i think it was dk_falcon_xr6) used thinners or something which got the coating off (it would be in the thread JCV8 linked to).

i just used normal paint, matt black in a can, have found it hasnt bubbled or anything - just give it a real good coat of primer and it should be fine

good luck

AU1SIXA · 05-29-2003, 03:33

Thanks guys i will begin tommorow night when i get home. I will start spraying on Saturday tho ill just dissasemble the lights means i cant go anywhere but hey it will be worth it.

Steve B

AU1SIXA · 05-29-2003, 17:15

Hey guys im thinking about htis and would i have to use a plastic primer first then an enamel paint that seems to make sense to me. Any1 else got any ideas.

Steve B

JC-XR8 · 05-29-2003, 20:20

Steve, You only need to use plastic primer on flexible parts - ie bumpers etc. I used it on my lights, but I don't think Falkeen used it on his. If his aren't bubbling, I would just use a good qulaity primer/surfacer, as Falkeen suggested.

BTW, you should still be OK to drive the car during the day with no headlights fitted - just don't try it at night.

I used a scotchbrite scourer to remove the chrome from mine - but a rag and turps/acetone/wax & grease remover should be just as effective. After you remove the chrome, make sure you wash it in hot soapy water and then rinse in clean water before leaving it to dry.

FalKeen · 05-29-2003, 21:48

yep i didnt use plastic primer
just a good coat of normal primer

AU1SIXA · 05-30-2003, 01:27

Does the unit complet with loom go in oven or do you stip that down its just you cant get the loom off becuase the parker wire is to big to get out of hole which means i cant get the wire off

Steve B