Poll and discussion: how did you open your headlight? Heatgun, oven, or cut the black housing?

[clevernickname]

I bought the glue and all the diode parts, I'm gonna take a crack at this this weekend to install DRL tri bars, demon eyes, and fogs.

I've seen a few responses saying people at DD say to cut the black housing as that's easier. Yet all the videos/discussions I've seen is that no one has actually done it, and there are a decent amount of people successful is opening up the headlight. I'm gonna email them but in the meantime, could I get some advice on people who have used a heat gun or cut the black housing? For the latter, I don't see anything online at all about it.

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[ArcsandSparks]

I bought the glue and all the diode parts, I'm gonna take a crack at this this weekend to install DRL tri bars, demon eyes, and fogs.

I've seen a few responses saying people at DD say to cut the black housing as that's easier. Yet all the videos/discussions I've seen is that no one has actually done it, and there are a decent amount of people successful is opening up the headlight. I'm gonna email them but in the meantime, could I get some advice on people who have used a heat gun or cut the black housing? For the latter, I don't see anything online at all about it.

I put the headlights in an oven for 12-14 minutes at a time, at 225 degrees. Some headlights can take higher temperatures, but after you see the price of a new set of headlights, you'll want to err on the side of caution.

Pop the headlights in the oven, pull them out and run a paint scraper around them for a minute or so, then back into the oven for 8-10 more minutes. Repeat the process until you have the lens completely removed.

A heat gun will work but you'll increase your risk of cracking the lens- you need widespread heat, not localized heat.

The permaseal that Ford uses is some tough shit, so be prepared for multiple trips into the oven and plenty of swearing.

I've done 15+ sets of headlights this way, 2 of which have been s550 headlights. If you take your time they'll turn out great, but try and rush it and you're going to be buying a new set of headlights.

 

[V_Eight]

I wouldn't cut them. It'd be a bitch to reseal if you ever have to re-open them.

Try heat as mentioned above and also adding in some permatrator makes it a bit easier: https://www.theretrofitsource.com/morimoto-permatrator-solution-for-permaseal.html.

 

[clevernickname]

God damnit i wish someone had told me before. I just bought glue from them a few weeks ago.

 

[V_Eight]

It's not like a night and day difference. It's just a supplement to help get the stock permaseal to lose adhesion. We're working on a better solution that will hopefully dissolve permaseal without hurting the ABS / PPS housing itself. Still in testing with a third-party chemical engineering company.

(Andrew @ TRS)

 

[clevernickname]

Oh hi! Cool to see someone from TRS here.

Any recommendations for something I can use in the meantime since I'll be doing it Saturday and won't be able to get this in time?

 

[V_Eight]

Oh hi! Cool to see someone from TRS here.

Any recommendations for something I can use in the meantime since I'll be doing it Saturday and won't be able to get this in time?

Really what was covered above will work just fine. Just be patient but intentional.

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