Painting inside of headlights
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 108
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From: Hollywood, FL
2006 CLS55 AMG
Painting inside of headlights
Only found one place in FL that will do it... they want $1,100. Too steep. I have a guy at a body shop willing to do it with instructions... has anyone done it besides Ken Block??
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 373
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From: Long Island, NY
06 CLS55 AMG
I pulled apart the headlights on my G35 by using a heat gun. The process took a bit of some time and lots of patience. The oven method works, but the problem with it is that every headlight is a little different from one another, and each will act differently in such an environment. Nailing the right temp and time formula can be tricky. The key to getting it right is leaving the headlight in the oven long enough while using the least amount of heat. With a heat gun, you can control and see your progress as you work along the edges. You'll do less damage that way as you'll know right away if things are getting too hot, and if you do damage anything, it'll just be the inner edge, vs in an oven, by the time you notice any damage, its often too late to stop it or fix it.
Now back to my own experience, after I painted the inside of headlights (gloss black) and sealed them back up (using one part the original adhesive, and two some black silicone), they never ended up being the same. I would get some fogging and hazing under either really hot or wet conditions. The problem, the headlights even though appeared to be 100% sealed, we're in fact not. I've heard this happen to well over 75% of the people whom have tried this mod. There's no clear indications that you've sealed the headlights 100%, until it's basically too late. The fog and haze show up. Even then I've seen people replay another bead of silicone, but with little to no luck in stopping it permanently.
Just some food for thought, from my own personal experience. Just be certain whomever does the mod will guarantee in writing, your headlights will not haze, fog up, or get wet after the mod.
Now back to my own experience, after I painted the inside of headlights (gloss black) and sealed them back up (using one part the original adhesive, and two some black silicone), they never ended up being the same. I would get some fogging and hazing under either really hot or wet conditions. The problem, the headlights even though appeared to be 100% sealed, we're in fact not. I've heard this happen to well over 75% of the people whom have tried this mod. There's no clear indications that you've sealed the headlights 100%, until it's basically too late. The fog and haze show up. Even then I've seen people replay another bead of silicone, but with little to no luck in stopping it permanently.
Just some food for thought, from my own personal experience. Just be certain whomever does the mod will guarantee in writing, your headlights will not haze, fog up, or get wet after the mod.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 501
Likes: 92
From: Miami Beach
2006 CLS55 AMG Sold 2010 E550 Coupe totaled by mechanic, '13 SL550 I totaled it, 2017 SL63 current
Maybe buy one off ebay and do a test run before ruin your lights. Will look amazing if you can pull it off.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Jerzy
04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
You don't have to break anything. I have been considering this myself and have gathered some info that might help. The first link is a DIY to take apart the head lights. The second and third are from a c55 and w209 that both had this done.
http://mymbonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9027
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...eadlights.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ld-thread.html
http://mymbonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9027
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...eadlights.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ld-thread.html
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 108
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From: Hollywood, FL
2006 CLS55 AMG
Thanks everyone... after showing my painter one of the guides he's got my front bumper off taking the headlights off now. Pics of my car on Thursday.... it's gonna be insane!
The only problem I'm having is figuring out what parts of the headlight I want painted black.
The only problem I'm having is figuring out what parts of the headlight I want painted black.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,275
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From: Jerzy
04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
Thanks everyone... after showing my painter one of the guides he's got my front bumper off taking the headlights off now. Pics of my car on Thursday.... it's gonna be insane!
The only problem I'm having is figuring out what parts of the headlight I want painted black.
The only problem I'm having is figuring out what parts of the headlight I want painted black.
Let us know how it turns out. I am very interested in doing the same.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Brooklyn, NY
2006 Granite Grey CLS55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,154
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From: Italy
cls 55 or FIAT Coupe T20v-6speed
Thanks everyone... after showing my painter one of the guides he's got my front bumper off taking the headlights off now. Pics of my car on Thursday.... it's gonna be insane!
The only problem I'm having is figuring out what parts of the headlight I want painted black.
The only problem I'm having is figuring out what parts of the headlight I want painted black.
besides plain black, consider "palladium" that's more graysh
.. matt, obviously ; it's the colour in SLR 722
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 108
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From: Hollywood, FL
2006 CLS55 AMG
So....
It begins.
My painter suggested getting ////AMG made in teeny vinyl and putting it in the headlight in lime green after we paint it black and doing the //// chrome stripes in the headlight in green.
It begins.My painter suggested getting ////AMG made in teeny vinyl and putting it in the headlight in lime green after we paint it black and doing the //// chrome stripes in the headlight in green.
Last edited by Kenny Pollock; Aug 6, 2010 at 11:14 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,375
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From: Seattle, WA
C55
Its not that hard to be honest. I live in western washington where its always wet and have had zero problems with it fogging up. I just say if you have the right tools and handiness, go for it
Just be VERY careful with cleaning the plastic chrome inside the headlight. It'll come off even if you use plastic cleaner.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,275
Likes: 10
From: Jerzy
04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
Its not that hard to be honest. I live in western washington where its always wet and have had zero problems with it fogging up. I just say if you have the right tools and handiness, go for it
Just be VERY careful with cleaning the plastic chrome inside the headlight. It'll come off even if you use plastic cleaner.
Sounds good! Do you remember what you used to seal it back up? I like the off center parking job, can't trust people to open doors correctly these days!
