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  Soarer Central * Bodywork and Exterior * Modified headlight * Archive through January 31, 2007 Previous Previous    Next Next  

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Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT & Corolla

Posts: 2199
Reg: 09-2005

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 09:34 am, by:  Callum Finch (Sigeneat) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Gregg, i'd love to hear how you go with that. The clear/smooth lenses look very nice!
Lew Radbourn
Trader
Queensland
jzz30 ute / uzz30/ 2 X uzz31

Posts: 1486
Reg: 07-2005

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 11:35 am, by:  Lew Radbourn (Marlew) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yer Me to gregg
I would like to know how that was done.
I pulled a head light apart the other day to clean it up.
and the cogs started turning (get rid of the ribs) and it took me about 10 sec to sit the light down and move on to some thing more important.hahahahaha
Vinh Bui
Goo Roo
NSW
94 UZZ31 (V8) / 96 JZZ30 (TT)

Posts: 1173
Reg: 07-2005

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 11:40 am, by:  Vinh Bui (Hyudsjk) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'd love to pay someone to paint the inside of my lights black.. I don't trust myself with opening the headlight.

The last two times I've done it, water always seems to get through! Does anyone know of a person providing these kind of services?
Brian Laws
TryHard
Queensland
JZZ30 GT-T

Posts: 117
Reg: 11-2005

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 11:45 am, by:  Brian Laws (Asian_warrior01) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think everyone wants to know how to remove the ribs as it shows off the lights and even painting looks so cool.
Vinh Bui
Goo Roo
NSW
94 UZZ31 (V8) / 96 JZZ30 (TT)

Posts: 1177
Reg: 07-2005

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 12:00 pm, by:  Vinh Bui (Hyudsjk) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Nah, I just want mine painted. I personally like the ribs.
Gregg Holden
Moderator
WA
Soarer

Posts: 287
Reg: 08-2005

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 01:50 pm, by:  Gregg Holden (Xzotic) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well I'd like to know also how it was achieved so I'm hoping Kanchana can shed some light on the ones that were posted...

THe guy I know who does headlight work just cleaned up a set for me which I thought were throw aways. They were newish lights that had been wrecked by the Spoiler shop a couple years ago when they made up some custom eye lids for me. What ever they used to get the mold ate into the lens and left it pitted and discoloured.

I was going to bin them but my contact took them and brought them back looking brand new. I could't believe it. I will be giving him another set which is discoloured with age (like 99% of all Soarer lights) and see what he can do with those. If the results are good then he'll start offering a cleaning service.

His services could also include making these smooth finish lenses if I can pass on some info from someone who knows how they were achieved (What tools specifically). He may also be able to do internal painting in the colour of your choice etc...but we need to test the cleaning of the typical old set of lights first to see the result.

I'll obviously let people know his contact details if and when he offers such services for those that are interested.
Perry Morgan
Goo Roo
Qld
UZZ32 ( V8 )

Posts: 1396
Reg: 07-2005

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 02:45 pm, by:  Perry Morgan (Uzz32) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I did a set of them Greg. You'd be surprised how fast those ribs come off with 1500 grit wet n dry. 2000 grit to smooth them out again and they were as clear as could be. They were for a mate and I never bothered to take pics of them though.
Gregg Holden
Moderator
WA
Soarer

Posts: 288
Reg: 08-2005

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 03:33 pm, by:  Gregg Holden (Xzotic) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK, so you just hand sanded them out without using any tools?... The ribbing seems quite thick - it must have taken a while surely if done only by hand?...
Kanchana Pathirana
TryHard
victoria
3ltr straight 6

Posts: 119
Reg: 02-2006

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 06:09 pm, by:  Kanchana Pathirana (Kan83) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

no worries gregg, been working on that spare headlight of mine.

i used 360G sand paper, and sanded by hand until all the lines were gone.

then used 800G and sanded for ages, then 1200G then finished in 2000G.

BY hand of course.

your suppose to use a rubbing compound after that and finish with plastic polish.

i didnt have the plastic polish or rubbing compound so i used metal polish and it became clear. ill post some piks of the test headlight. its not perfect, as i just wanted to see if it can be done.

And it can be done. one of those mouse palm sanders might help

Hope that helps Gregg
Aaron Mead
DieHard
NT
TT

Posts: 759
Reg: 03-2006

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 08:05 pm, by:  Aaron Mead (Aaron) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

did use 1200 wet? Meguiars make the plastic polish@ autobarn.

Id like to do this to my headlights also. Ill have to find a some practice ones.
Kanchana Pathirana
TryHard
victoria
3ltr straight 6

Posts: 120
Reg: 02-2006

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Friday, November 17, 2006 - 10:10 pm, by:  Kanchana Pathirana (Kan83) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

owe sorry my bad, yee wet. thats 360, 800, 1200, 2000 Gritt wet and dry sand paper. available at bunnings, bunnings didnt have the 2000 but super cheap auto will.


Aaron that be perfect, autobarn had the rubbing compound aswell made by turtle wax

i put about 50 ml of water and sanded away.

once i perfect the spare one using the proper rubbing compound and plastic polish and get it perfect, ill attempt my one. my exams finish on wednesday so t weeks from then you will all have picks.
Joe Radisic
Tinkerer
WA
2JZ GTE SingleTurbo

Posts: 62
Reg: 10-2006

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Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 01:08 am, by:  Joe Radisic (Joe) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi guys sounds awsome will be doing mine too! Also Kanchana i read all about your angel eyes ordeal to only end up with overheating problems, did you get any further with that? It would be nice to set it all up at the same time.
Geoff Smith
Tinkerer
warwickshire
soarer v8

Posts: 9
Reg: 11-2006

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Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 02:18 am, by:  Geoff Smith (Geoffu) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Brasso.
If you can get it in Aussie, try that for slight scratches and discolouration on the outside. Not only on headlights, but watch glass and anything like that. Depending on the damage depends on the elbow grease to put in.
Kanchana Pathirana
TryHard
victoria
3ltr straight 6

Posts: 127
Reg: 02-2006

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Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 03:55 pm, by:  Kanchana Pathirana (Kan83) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

well i finally finished the prototype headlight. Dont mind that spot with the cracks, thats the reason i replaced my headlight, and experimened with the one you see before you. let me know what you think



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Kanchana Pathirana
TryHard
victoria
3ltr straight 6

Posts: 128
Reg: 02-2006

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Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 04:01 pm, by:  Kanchana Pathirana (Kan83) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

by the way my car is filthy....am ashamed



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Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT & Corolla

Posts: 2438
Reg: 09-2005

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Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 04:33 pm, by:  Callum Finch (Sigeneat) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm quite impressed with how that turned out!
Gregg Holden
Trader
WA
Soarer GT-TL & Supercharged 31

Posts: 410
Reg: 08-2005

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Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 11:45 pm, by:  Gregg Holden (Xzotic) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pure magic...
Sean Fair
Tinkerer
Alberta
TT

Posts: 57
Reg: 09-2006

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Monday, January 22, 2007 - 05:58 am, by:  Sean Fair (Sean_fair) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That looks great!!

I know how hard it was to take those ribs out, I tried it on my light over the break and stopped with the projector area because the ribs were taking forever and my fingers were no longer capable of bending :-(
Kanchana Pathirana
TryHard
victoria
3ltr straight 6

Posts: 129
Reg: 02-2006

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Monday, January 22, 2007 - 01:05 pm, by:  Kanchana Pathirana (Kan83) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

hahah tell me about it sean, my finger joints were locking up and were sore for days.

the funny thing is ive started on the proper headlight, not even half way there. i cringe when i think about it. i guess slow and steady wins the race.

thanks guys. hopefully soon i can show you the proper thing, with both headlights done
Aaron Mead
Goo Roo
NT
TT

Posts: 1191
Reg: 03-2006

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Friday, January 26, 2007 - 03:55 pm, by:  Aaron Mead (Aaron) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I chucked one of mine in the oven last night. Before doing so, I ran a stanley around the outside just to give the heat a chance to penetrate.
Set it at 100c, used a baking pan lined with gladbake, pre heated, non fan fored, for about 10mins. Pulled it out with ma silicon gloves, and started to pry it at various points with a butter knife, it started to come apart, but I figured let it go for a bit longer.
Another 6 mins, i pulled it out and it seperated nicely, lots of grey everywhere!

The glass focusing lense in this one was in very good nick, needed only a little polish with some synpol. Could use any decent polish really. Meguiars etc...Even toothpaste works well if its got actual scratches.

For the indiator bulb area, I am planning on removing the plastic orange socket and replacing with a chrome domed colored bulb from autobarn. (They are appear silver unless turned on)

The area that reflects the indicator, I will leave chromed at the rear only, as there is a seperate ribbed cover that clips in with three tangs.

As I plan to go for black headlights, i will only tint the inner ribbed cover so it doesnt let the chrome become visible. That way, with the indicator on, it will still be a visible bright orange, but black otherwise.

I think the main beam bezel needs to be left chrome as well, it really sets it off like the ones in this pic.


Im not sure wether I will get rid of all the ribbing either, in fact I like the ideas from ClubLexus.com where they have removed only the light ribbing from directly in front of the optic lense:

Will post some pics too, and maybe even a step by step thread. Any further progess Kanchana?
Carl Johnson
TryHard
QLD
93 LTD 31 Manual V8

Posts: 264
Reg: 10-2005

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Friday, January 26, 2007 - 04:53 pm, by:  Carl Johnson (Carlos) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Aaron a step by step would be COOL!
Kanchana Pathirana
TryHard
victoria
3ltr straight 6

Posts: 136
Reg: 02-2006

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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - 01:54 pm, by:  Kanchana Pathirana (Kan83) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Aaron, good luck with that. I was determined on getting through most of the ribbing since i had a day off on tuesday and let me tell you my fingers blistered...bloody painful anyway here is an update, just finishing the edges. Been taking pictures along the way for a detailed tute aswell if anyone interested.

Upload


Well i decided to show everyone what the clear lens looks like with just the chrome backing, so did a swop with the black one and took some photoes.


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Well am nearly there with the proper headlight. will be updating on progress

cheers
Sean Fair
Tinkerer
Alberta
TT

Posts: 69
Reg: 09-2006

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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - 02:02 pm, by:  Sean Fair (Sean_fair) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You are a madman. I don't know how you can still bend your fingers.

I honestly still have my fingers lock up occasionally. I think I am going to put the sandpaper on one of those pot/pan scrubbers so I don't render my good hands useless!
Will Adams
DieHard
WA
Soarer GT-TL

Posts: 630
Reg: 02-2006

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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - 03:02 pm, by:  Will Adams (Draco) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How does removing the ribs affect the light output? I'm just thinking that the ribs were put there for a reason, so wondering if removing them could affect the way the low beam is seen from the outside.

However another me says it would be fine, as the lights are projector. So any thoughts on this?
Tim Appleton
DieHard
QLD
UZZ31

Posts: 525
Reg: 07-2005

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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - 03:24 pm, by:  Tim Appleton (Timbo) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm with the other you on this one. The general styling out of the factory on these cars was not particularly extroverted. Sleek, but not extroverted. So I guess they didn't want the headlights standing out too much.

The ribs will diffuse the headlight and park light a bit, so removing the ribs should have a positive effect on the headlight. The park light will appear as more of a point source of light.

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