GreggyG

I saw a pic of a gx470 with the inner trim of the headlights painted, any guidance as to how to disassemble?

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

If its similar to doing a retrofit you just bake um in the oven to heat up the glue and seperate the lens from the housing. There are diys for retrofits to get an idea. Once u have the housing open you can follow the steps of painting. Gl retrofits (in this case opening headlights) arent hard just take time and patience.

GreggyG

okay, thank you.

RCsGX

An oven works fine but a heat gun works better. Use low heat and work your way around the headlight slowly and heat more where needed. You should be fine sealing them back up but I always add more butyl sealant to make sure theres a nice seal. Nothing sucks more than sealing them up and getting condensation a few days later because the old butyl sealant didnt seal properly.

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

I've done both heat gun and oven. The thing i didnt like about the heat gun is the glue got warmer than the oven setting so it was a lil tricky keeping the glue from touching the bezel. The oven was just right and the glue wasnt runny when separating. Both methods work. Heat gun will def be quicker though.

And yes to a gooooood seal and yes it does suck to go back and reseal lol i had to on my first setup. It totally killed the joy in knocking out a retrofit lol. Use lots the first time!

RCsGX

If its your first time opening headlights Id say the oven is the best method. Ive done several retros before and I used the over my first couple of times but later switched to a heat gun. Its much quicker and easier if you have a spot that hasnt fully softened. And youre right about the heat gun, you do have to watch the butyl. It can get really hot and stretchy and is a bi**c to get off of the chrome reflector!

mann777

The best HeadlightButyl Sealer has been the Nissan Product, pretty cheap. Can be picked up from any Nissan Spare Part dealer - P/N B6553-89915. These are used by Professional Retrofitters. Does not form any oxidation or condensation

RCsGX

Nissan butyl is good, thats what Ive always used but 3M also sells some butyl thats alot cheaper and you get ALOT more of it.

GreggyG

what temperature should I set the oven for and how long?

RCsGX

Preheat the oven to 250°F. Leave it in for about 10mins. If the sealant still isn't soft enough leave it in for another 5-10mins. I've never had to leave a headlight in for longer than 10mins. Don't forget to remove the foam padding on the back and the low / high beam rubber bulb seals.

GreggyG

thank you for the help.

GreggyG

I got them open and am now deciding how much to paint, any pics from anyone? If I kept the old butyl sealant and added new/extra black silicone sealant, would that be good enough to form a tight seal?

GreggyG

Also, are the headlights easy to remove from the engine compartment? Do I have to take the bumper off or anything? Has anyone added angel eyes while in there?

RCsGX

You don't want to use silicone, it'll be too much trouble to open them up again if you have any fogging / condensation issues down the road. You want to use something that will get soft it heated up. My suggestion is use Nissan butyl. I've personally used that on several headlights in the past and it's worked great. The Nissan part number is: B6553-89915

Another option is to get some butyl from TRS. I've never used it but I'm sure it works fine.
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/acc...l#.UwpG3YW0hvQ


You have to remove the bumper in order to remove the headlights.