Depo headlight question

MBfinatic · 03-21-2012, 03:29 PM

I just got my old depos back that I had on my C240 long ago. I am trying to take the lens off to detail it better and to re paint the inside housing. Does anyone know how to safely take off the lens? I already broke one clip for the weather strip. I also removed the silver clips that looked to be holding it together. It still seems pretty tight on there..

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Outkasted24 · 03-21-2012, 05:45 PM

You Tube

C230 Mulac · 03-21-2012, 09:34 PM

Gotta bake it in the oven dude! I know it sounds f**** up but you have to heat up the seal for it to come apart.

samaritrey · 03-21-2012, 09:55 PM

Yeah just don't touch a burner like I did

niceguyftx · 03-22-2012, 01:51 AM

I used a heat gun on my headlights. had the lens off in 5 min. just gotta keep the heat gun continuously moving and never have it in one spot for too long. then after that peel of the lens from the body

C230 Mulac · 03-22-2012, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niceguyftx

I used a heat gun on my headlights. had the lens off in 5 min. just gotta keep the heat gun continuously moving and never have it in one spot for too long. then after that peel of the lens from the body

Never heard of this method but it sounds like it would be much better than baking the whole headlight in the oven!

MBfinatic · 03-22-2012, 07:16 AM

Im going to try that method first...

phister · 03-22-2012, 07:39 AM

I use the heat gun method a well. Then just make sure you heat it as you reapply it together so its sealed nice and tight

MBfinatic · 03-22-2012, 12:04 PM

I can get a good hair dryer lol. I dont have a heat gun..

samaritrey · 03-22-2012, 06:04 PM

doubt a hair dryer will get hot enough

MBfinatic · 03-22-2012, 06:15 PM

I used it to get to do the carbon 3m vinyl wrap on my C55 and Mulacs 230. It may not work for this application though. So after I get it apart I can use the same adhesives again?

BlkBenz8 · 03-22-2012, 09:53 PM

i have the same problem!! Also, what paint are you using? Mine are completely baked and the lens cracked.

niceguyftx · 03-22-2012, 10:03 PM

heat guns are very inexpensive. I think I bought mine for like $20 at lowes.

MBfinatic · 03-23-2012, 06:59 AM

I havent chosen paint yet. Its obviously going to be some heat resistant. How did you paint your grill black? Are those heat guns decent quality? I may go check them out today.

C230 Mulac · 03-23-2012, 07:12 AM

Blk Benz I have the same "baked" thing going on with mine. I pretty much just said f*** it and will just save up some money for a higher quality set of OEM Xenons, given that I can find them for a decent price!

Outkasted24 · 03-23-2012, 10:30 AM

Hair dryers won't get hot enough to get the job done in a clean and timely manor.

Heat Guns can be a great tool but you must not leave it on a spot longer then 5 seconds.
they get too hot and will bubble lenses and discolor painted surfaces.

The Oven method is the best of the best.
just about everyone that lives in a house has one, So no added equipment that has to be purchased.
There won't be any hot spots to damage plastic or burn the sealant.
All sealant will be evenly heated, there for the lenses will practically pull apart without a battle.

As far as paint, I suggest VHT high heat. http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/engineenamel/
it goes on even like Krylon, and will not discolor after time like most other brands out there.
Your headlight housings get battered by both the Sun and heat from the bulbs day in and day out, sometimes reaching temps over 200 degrees.

Also, a trick to renew your clear headlight lenses once taken off the housings (using the oven method

), sand them down with 400grit sand paper evenly, both inside the Len's and out as needed to remove all yellowing, then re-sand the same areas with 1000grit evenly, I recommend a DA Air Sander for faster work.
clean the whole surface of the lens with water and a lint free rag, then spray the housings with Body Shop quality Automotive Clearcoat (not rattle can spray), let it dry at least 24 hours and bam, Brand spankin new looking!!

BlkBenz8 · 03-23-2012, 06:30 PM

Luckily I had a spare set of halogen headlights, now my question is.. Can I use the lens from the halogen headlights and use them on my depo headlights? Im planning on VHT high temperature paint because my HIDs

MBfinatic · 03-23-2012, 06:36 PM

Well I want black housing and I am deff not painting the inside on a $800 oem xenon headlamp.. How long does it need in the oven?

BlkBenz8 · 03-23-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBfinatic

Well I want black housing and I am deff not painting the inside on a $800 oem xenon headlamp.. How long does it need in the oven?

Why not repaint it? Im not trying to order another set of DEPOs, although I do want the chrome oem DEPOs.

MBfinatic · 03-23-2012, 08:18 PM

If I buy an oem xenon im going to most likely kep it how it is and not risk destroying it..

03-21-2012, 09:34 PM	#3
C230 Mulac Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Washington DC Posts: 803 Drives: 2005 C55 AMG, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(	Gotta bake it in the oven dude! I know it sounds f**** up but you have to heat up the seal for it to come apart. __________________ -Petar- Mods: 18x8.5, 18x9.5 Brabus VI Reps, CF Front lip, Eurocharged ECU Tune, Black CL Grille & Flat Hood Badge, clear sidemarkers w/PIAA Xtreme White bulbs, PIAA Xtreme White running lights, AZN Optics interior/trunk/license plate LED lighting package, black DEPOs Mulac's c230 Project: http://www.mbworld.org/forums/c-clas...ml#post4646905

03-21-2012, 09:55 PM	#4
samaritrey Super Moderator 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: McLean VA Posts: 3,694 Drives: THE C320	Yeah just don't touch a burner like I did __________________ Trey's Car History 87 Suzuki Samurai Gone :( 99 KIA Sportage 2Door Sold July 20 2009 97 J30 given when 16 Has been passed down to sibling 01 C320 Got at 16 as of 2-22-13 has 189,000 miles with Eurocharged Tune, AMG Style Trunk Spoiler, BIX, NAV 2.0, Tein Springs with Renntech Shocks Next car G55 or SLK55 All About Trey and Cars Thread

03-22-2012, 06:04 PM	#10
samaritrey Super Moderator 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: McLean VA Posts: 3,694 Drives: THE C320	doubt a hair dryer will get hot enough __________________ Trey's Car History 87 Suzuki Samurai Gone :( 99 KIA Sportage 2Door Sold July 20 2009 97 J30 given when 16 Has been passed down to sibling 01 C320 Got at 16 as of 2-22-13 has 189,000 miles with Eurocharged Tune, AMG Style Trunk Spoiler, BIX, NAV 2.0, Tein Springs with Renntech Shocks Next car G55 or SLK55 All About Trey and Cars Thread

03-22-2012, 09:53 PM	#12
BlkBenz8 Senior Member 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Zay, San Jose Posts: 419 Drives: 07 C230	i have the same problem!! Also, what paint are you using? Mine are completely baked and the lens cracked. __________________ [/quote]

03-23-2012, 07:12 AM	#15
C230 Mulac Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Washington DC Posts: 803 Drives: 2005 C55 AMG, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(	Blk Benz I have the same "baked" thing going on with mine. I pretty much just said f*** it and will just save up some money for a higher quality set of OEM Xenons, given that I can find them for a decent price! __________________ -Petar- Mods: 18x8.5, 18x9.5 Brabus VI Reps, CF Front lip, Eurocharged ECU Tune, Black CL Grille & Flat Hood Badge, clear sidemarkers w/PIAA Xtreme White bulbs, PIAA Xtreme White running lights, AZN Optics interior/trunk/license plate LED lighting package, black DEPOs Mulac's c230 Project: http://www.mbworld.org/forums/c-clas...ml#post4646905

03-22-2012, 01:51 AM	#5
niceguyftx Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 107 Drives: 2004.5 c230k	I used a heat gun on my headlights. had the lens off in 5 min. just gotta keep the heat gun continuously moving and never have it in one spot for too long. then after that peel of the lens from the body

03-22-2012, 07:16 AM	#7
MBfinatic MBWorld Fanatic! 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 2,393 Drives: e36 318i, 2004 sti	Im going to try that method first...

03-22-2012, 07:39 AM	#8
phister MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 4,505 Drives: 06 C230 SS 6spd	I use the heat gun method a well. Then just make sure you heat it as you reapply it together so its sealed nice and tight

03-22-2012, 12:04 PM	#9
MBfinatic MBWorld Fanatic! 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 2,393 Drives: e36 318i, 2004 sti	I can get a good hair dryer lol. I dont have a heat gun..

03-22-2012, 06:15 PM	#11
MBfinatic MBWorld Fanatic! 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 2,393 Drives: e36 318i, 2004 sti	I used it to get to do the carbon 3m vinyl wrap on my C55 and Mulacs 230. It may not work for this application though. So after I get it apart I can use the same adhesives again?

03-22-2012, 10:03 PM	#13
niceguyftx Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 107 Drives: 2004.5 c230k	heat guns are very inexpensive. I think I bought mine for like $20 at lowes.

03-23-2012, 06:59 AM	#14
MBfinatic MBWorld Fanatic! 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 2,393 Drives: e36 318i, 2004 sti	I havent chosen paint yet. Its obviously going to be some heat resistant. How did you paint your grill black? Are those heat guns decent quality? I may go check them out today.

03-23-2012, 10:30 AM	#16
Outkasted24 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tampa/Lutz, FL. Posts: 476 Drives: Correction, Drove An '05 C230 Kompressor SS	Hair dryers won't get hot enough to get the job done in a clean and timely manor. Heat Guns can be a great tool but you must not leave it on a spot longer then 5 seconds. they get too hot and will bubble lenses and discolor painted surfaces. The Oven method is the best of the best. just about everyone that lives in a house has one, So no added equipment that has to be purchased. There won't be any hot spots to damage plastic or burn the sealant. All sealant will be evenly heated, there for the lenses will practically pull apart without a battle. As far as paint, I suggest VHT high heat. http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/engineenamel/ it goes on even like Krylon, and will not discolor after time like most other brands out there. Your headlight housings get battered by both the Sun and heat from the bulbs day in and day out, sometimes reaching temps over 200 degrees. Also, a trick to renew your clear headlight lenses once taken off the housings (using the oven method ), sand them down with 400grit sand paper evenly, both inside the Len's and out as needed to remove all yellowing, then re-sand the same areas with 1000grit evenly, I recommend a DA Air Sander for faster work. clean the whole surface of the lens with water and a lint free rag, then spray the housings with Body Shop quality Automotive Clearcoat (not rattle can spray), let it dry at least 24 hours and bam, Brand spankin new looking!! __________________ *Jeff* Mercedes Benz Owner's Gun Club, Member* # 92* Outkasted's C230 SS Project in the Making ..... Traded In For a '13 VW GTI 11/09/2012. She Will Be Missed My W203 Part Out Thread http://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w2...ers-oh-my.html

03-23-2012, 06:30 PM	#17
BlkBenz8 Senior Member 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Zay, San Jose Posts: 419 Drives: 07 C230	Luckily I had a spare set of halogen headlights, now my question is.. Can I use the lens from the halogen headlights and use them on my depo headlights? Im planning on VHT high temperature paint because my HIDs __________________ [/quote]

03-23-2012, 06:36 PM	#18
MBfinatic MBWorld Fanatic! 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 2,393 Drives: e36 318i, 2004 sti	Well I want black housing and I am deff not painting the inside on a $800 oem xenon headlamp.. How long does it need in the oven?

03-23-2012, 08:18 PM

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