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Do you HAVE to paint the housing for a retrofit?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by JC0352, Jul 30, 2014.

  1. Jul 30, 2014 at 11:19 AM
    #1
    JC0352

    JC0352 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I've searched a ton and couldn't find an answer to this specific question...

    Let's say you do a proper retrofit with all the right components; do you have to paint the bowl and/or the headlight housing? Would the projector throw a crazy glare off of any part that's still chrome?

    The reason I ask is because I don't like the way BHLM looks. Almost all the retrofits I've seen have been completely painted, or the only thing left chrome is the DRL/parking light areas.

    Thanks in advance for your input.
     
  2. Jul 30, 2014 at 11:23 AM
    #2
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    You do not need to paint anything when retrofitting and there will not be any adverse side effects. I did not paint the reflector bowl when I had Morimoto H1 and there was no unwanted glare. The shrouds and projector body keep the light focused where you want it to go.
     
  3. Jul 30, 2014 at 11:25 AM
    #3
    JC0352

    JC0352 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's exactly what I was wondering! Thank you!

    Anybody have pics of a retrofit with a completely unpainted housing?
     
  4. Jul 30, 2014 at 11:37 AM
    #4
    Xinirgi

    Xinirgi Member

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    Not a Tacoma, but maybe this helps get a visual. 7yjaqu6e_1f39e3efbd84e12d2308fee2f53a276820c4b6c6.jpg
     
  5. Jul 30, 2014 at 11:41 AM
    #5
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Just to give you some other ideas, I didn't like the blacked out look so here is my retrofit project:
    [​IMG]

    I had a white Tacoma so I matched the bezel to the color of the truck and left the reflector bowls alone.
     
  6. Jul 30, 2014 at 11:41 AM
    #6
    Justus

    Justus fucks not given

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  7. Jul 30, 2014 at 11:43 AM
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    JC0352

    JC0352 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks everybody!
     
  8. Jul 30, 2014 at 1:37 PM
    #8
    TRSAndrew

    TRSAndrew Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Set I just finished:

    1znre3d_d3611f9543a6eb7bfaf8e93cfbb989e86382e3d8.jpg

    14udehj_c4c1b5a9751d9eb8c73e72bf7b3a40abcd777bbf.jpg
     
  9. Jul 30, 2014 at 9:58 PM
    #9
    JC0352

    JC0352 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That looks great! LS460s?
     
  10. Jul 31, 2014 at 6:07 AM
    #10
    TRSAndrew

    TRSAndrew Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Of course! :D
     
  11. Jul 31, 2014 at 8:14 AM
    #11
    JC0352

    JC0352 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Right on! Thanks for sharing the pics!
     
  12. Aug 1, 2014 at 8:15 AM
    #12
    s1ck s0n

    s1ck s0n Well-Known Member

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    I would be careful though. The chrome on the shrouds can be very sensative.
     
  13. Aug 7, 2014 at 6:57 PM
    #13
    metalpeddler88

    metalpeddler88 Well-Known Member

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    It's not all chromed out, but black bezels. (Depo Brand Housings).

    IMG_0981.jpg
    IMG_0980.jpg
    IMG_0974.jpg
     
  14. Aug 7, 2014 at 9:14 PM
    #14
    JC0352

    JC0352 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Looks great! I just don't think that would look good on mine since it's silver.
     
  15. Aug 8, 2014 at 3:54 AM
    #15
    metalpeddler88

    metalpeddler88 Well-Known Member

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    At first, I was going to just buy the all chrome housings, but then I saw headlights with painted bezels and unpainted bowls. Then my mind was set. ;)
     
  16. Aug 8, 2014 at 5:31 AM
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    JustinL

    JustinL Well-Known Member

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    Unpainted in sig
     

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