How To: Black Head Light mod

^^^also from what ive heard, it makes your house smell like poopie

 

im in the process of doing this but should i keep the turn signal reflector or no? cant really tell in the pics but in person they look really different and im not sure which one i like
edit: this mod was actually really easy SO FAR, im hoping the sealing part is just as easy

 

Any masking is optional. I didn't mask anything off when I painted mind (I did mine white).

 

Mine is slightly duller than stock and it would be a little more so with black I'd imagine. The good thing is the bulb is yellow so you can definitely see the turn signal. I sort of did mine by accident and thought about it after the fact It would be safer if it was taped off, but functionally it is still effective even if you paint right over the turn signal reflectors.

 

I wish I had done a little more homework and found a clear reflector for the sides on mine! The tinted one will look great with the black bezel. I know what you mean about the smell, I started mine when my girlfriend went out for a few hours and when she came back "What the hell is that smell and why did you turn our kitchen into a garage! Is that your headlights in the oven?!?! What the hell are you doing??" The reaction was pretty comical to say the least

Good luck!

 

Used this thread to help with my retrofit, thanks for posting Viet!

 

i left mine in, just preferred the "all black look" vs having an orange bulb showing but its totally up to you

 

I put my reflectors and turn signal lenses back in.

 

What are your thoughts on the spray paint? Any problems with the heat and regular paint? I was thinking about maybe going with a high heat paint.

 

Do you think the krylon paint will be fine if you have HID bulbs in your truck?

 

Thanks for the great write up. Good work. Shall be doing mines in a couple days.

 

Anyone looking to do the BHLM should also consider an HID retrofit while they are at it.

Perfect time right now with 25% off TRS retrofit kits:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/group-buys/173588-new-hid-retro-group-buy-thread.html

 

Just got done with the BHLM, thanks for the wrote up Viet. Just a heads up to everyone: my hardest part was prying apart due to I didn't warm it up long enough. But on the third try I got it and love my BHLM.

 

Extremely good directions, I have used the steps multiple times while doing BHLM, and I am currently doing to sets of lights (they're drying) Also I found out using Bully Dog Adhesion Promoter makes the paint stick a little better. Just follow the steps on the can and youll be fine, the can is around $20.00, but I was able to do my Grille, and 2 sets of lights and still have some left over.

 

In step 2, it says to remove all rubber before baking...can someone please confirm whether I have to remove the strip of weather stripping on top...
It seems to be glued on, can I put the lamp in the oven with that piece on?

 

you don't need to remove the weather stripping on top.

 

Thanks for the fast reply! +rep 4u

 

It seems that I'm going to have a fair amount of the old sealant left...despite a lot of time spent cleaning.

How "clean" are you guys getting the housing in regards to removing the old sealant?

 

Where can I get that 3m Window weld. I checked advance auto, but to no avail. Will try autozone tomorrow, but just curious if there are any other places to get that stuff...NAPA maybe?

 

has anyone used the liquid window weld by 3m? it seems it would prevent the second baking process and i dont knot if i can find the non liquid stuff around here. OR has anyone used anything like a clear liquid sealant like liquid nails in place of the window weld?