Frankenstein headlight?

First time poster, searched but didn’t look like anyone had tried this.

I’m overdue for a headlight housing replacement on my 2011. I’ve restored them once but the cracking in the clear PC has gotten pretty bad. I read the rabbit hole threads on aftermarket vs OEM and can’t live with poor or dangerous light patterns. But OEM lamp housings = $$$. Also want that blackout headlight mod so bad.

Has anyone tried buying an aftermarket headlight housing that’s OEM style, BHLM’ing their original housing, and just replacing the clear polycarbonate shell on the original with the aftermarket? So it would reuse the OEM reflector and housing for fitment and quality but give a fresh clear part? Sounds like the butyl rubber baking process isn’t too bad. I guess mating of the aftermarket lens to OEM housing would be a gamble?

If anyone has done this and knows a brand of aftermarket that might work and fit the OEM housing please let me know.

Thanks, this forum is awesome.

 

Sand them down with, 800, 1200 , 1500 then 2000. Polish and then clear coat with automotive clear. $50 bucks or so and a few hours of time.