560 SEC

What is the trick to install new lens? The new gasket is so think I can't get it on. Heat?

John

EdzBenz

Yes, put the assembly in the oven on a very low setting. Maybe 170 F. Wait until it heats up, then smoosh it together.

Eklass420Spt

i just had a friend start pulling on them and i wedged something between the lens and the housing and i pulled them appart and clicked the new lenses on.

EdzBenz

Search the W210 forum for other topics related to headlight lens removal and altering. Most of them will advise you to heat up the assembly. This makes the job much easier and helps to ensure a tacky, and effective seal once the new lens is put on.

560 SEC

Thanks. They came apart easy, the new seal was so thick it was hard to press together. Got it done without heat.

John

raymond g-

having worked with lens removal and installation, it's my belief that the gray
matter is more a sealant/gasket vs an adhesive. as such, it is important that
heat be applied, so as to allow the material to reform itself to the new dips and
valleys caused by the lens removal/installation.

one of the weak points after such a modification, be it a simple lens removal,
or a major retrofit project, is the lack of follow up in sealing the lens. it is not
uncommon to then read of problems with condensation, water seepage into
the light housing, etc.

applying heat to soften the gray goo is such an easy task that to forego this
step has a slight risk. it only takes 5-10 mins to heat.

560 SEC

With the size of the gasket, and having the car washed since, I can't see how it could leak. I did check with a dealer and with the folks at European Auto Solutions{Former employees of Hatch and Sons} they don't use heat.

Thanks,
John

raymond g-

sorry...i just reread my response and i wasnt intending to make it sound as
though you were reckless i'll edit my post.

Brodie320

I heated mine in the oven...still cant get it apart..its stuck pretty good, even cracked the lens trying to pry apart...any advice?

raymond g-

need to hear more specifics and details from you how you proceeded. from that
we can give you some direction how to succeed.

Brodie320

i unclipped the lens part from the light unit to expose the chrome interior of it with succesion..i now need to remove the lens from the grey part in order to paint the grey parts black without getting it all over the lens...i heated in oven and its stuck together pretty damn well..even melted my park light part a little..:S it was a good idea when i started...went down hill from there.

Brodie320

planning to make the lights a bit darker without having to buy a whole new light...painting the grey parts inside the light black and tinting the small indicator lense at the top from the inside for a more smoked look..possibly install some angle eyes or something like that down the track....All would be good if i could just get that lense off

raymond g-

need to turn the temperature down to something like 35-40 C and leave it in the
oven longer. it's a slow and easy process.

you've not identified the headlight you're attempting to open up but not all
manufacturers will use the sealant. they may use adhesive (glue) instead and
that can make it very difficult to disassemble. if it is gray colored, it will likely
be the butyl sealant similar to this

Brodie320

it is just the factory 96 headlight..and it is grey sealant

Brodie320

to make it more clear..i have removed the lense from the actual light. The lense is sealed to the part that clips onto the light, if you get what im saying, has anyone removed this part before?

raymond g-

the inner reflector is staked or cemented and not really something that folks
generally retrofit. there is an inner portion which pivots in response to the
headlight adjustment knobs on top.

Brodie320

ok so i have completed one headlight...what i have done is removed the lens from the light...removed the inner indicator lens from the headlight lens and then painted all of the grey on the inside of the lens black...i have applied 35% tint to the indicator lense..i will post pics when complete.