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Topic: Possibly dumb idea (Read 1268 times) previous topic - next topic

Possibly dumb idea

Ok, so I was pulling the header panel and front bumper off my car today (planning an intercooler upgrade), and while removing the header panel, I noticed the lens was falling off one of my headlights for whatever reason, so I pulled it off.

I was looking at the headlight "bucket" itself and I noticed that the flat top and bottom of the inside of the headlight are white, not chromed like the reflector part.

So, my question is, could you paint the top & bottom of the inside of the light black to give the car a "smoked" headlight look, kinda like what they did with the Marauder? Or would that mess up the light output?

Garrett H.
'94 F250 XLT- 4x4, 5 speed, 7.3 IDI Turbo Diesel, 4" intake, 4" exhaust, 5" turnout stacks, manual hubs, etc.
'87 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
Engine, wheels, tires, etc!
Exhaust sound clip
Another clip

Possibly dumb idea

Reply #1
there's sprays out there for that. how good they are, i have no clue.
:cougarsmily:5.0 HO, E303 cam, Exploder/Cobra intake, smog pump delete, Ford Taurus electric fan, MAF conversion, BBK headers, MAC 2.5" off-road exhaust w/x-pipe, AOD w/shift kit, 8.8 Trac-Loc rear w/disc brakes, 5-lug conversion w/'98 Mustang GT 17" wheels, Mach 1 springs:cougarsmily:

Possibly dumb idea

Reply #2
Zach (CougarCragar) did it with his MN12 Cougar. I don't think light output was affected - the reflector is what throws the light, and obviously Ford didn't think that part reflected enough to bother chroming it
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Possibly dumb idea

Reply #3
I know they have the tint sprays, but I still can't find any real info about how much light they block or how well they work...so I'm undecided on those.

I might have to end up using those, though, as I don't know if I'll be able to get the lens off my other headlight without breaking it.

Garrett H.
'94 F250 XLT- 4x4, 5 speed, 7.3 IDI Turbo Diesel, 4" intake, 4" exhaust, 5" turnout stacks, manual hubs, etc.
'87 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
Engine, wheels, tires, etc!
Exhaust sound clip
Another clip

Possibly dumb idea

Reply #4
Ive done it, and it didnt effect the light output much, but it didnt really look all that good either.
It's Gumby's fault.

Possibly dumb idea

Reply #5
Ok, that's what I was wanting to know (you are talking about painting the buckets right?)

Garrett H.
'94 F250 XLT- 4x4, 5 speed, 7.3 IDI Turbo Diesel, 4" intake, 4" exhaust, 5" turnout stacks, manual hubs, etc.
'87 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
Engine, wheels, tires, etc!
Exhaust sound clip
Another clip

Possibly dumb idea

Reply #6
oh... i thought you meant the lenses.
:cougarsmily:5.0 HO, E303 cam, Exploder/Cobra intake, smog pump delete, Ford Taurus electric fan, MAF conversion, BBK headers, MAC 2.5" off-road exhaust w/x-pipe, AOD w/shift kit, 8.8 Trac-Loc rear w/disc brakes, 5-lug conversion w/'98 Mustang GT 17" wheels, Mach 1 springs:cougarsmily:

Possibly dumb idea

Reply #7
Quote from: Red_LX;120154
Ok, that's what I was wanting to know (you are talking about painting the buckets right?)


yes, from some angles, it looked good, from others it looked like ass
It's Gumby's fault.

Possibly dumb idea

Reply #8
Don't use the tint spray (Nite Shades) on the lenses. The spray has a very high propensity to 'fish-eye', which would be painfully obvious on a clear/reflective surface.
What if you did a test on your light while it's apart? Maybe you could lay some black fabric or paper in there and put the lense back on.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Possibly dumb idea

Reply #9
Yeah I might try that.

I bought some VHT spray tint stuff the other night, that is supposed to be a little lighter than nite-shades so I may try it on the headlights. Not sure how well it'll work, guess I'll find out.

Garrett H.
'94 F250 XLT- 4x4, 5 speed, 7.3 IDI Turbo Diesel, 4" intake, 4" exhaust, 5" turnout stacks, manual hubs, etc.
'87 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
Engine, wheels, tires, etc!
Exhaust sound clip
Another clip