How to replicate HELLA's smoked ellipsoid technique:

[Kingb]

Anybody have or can get some more made?? I know that there are more people interested to do another group buy on these.

Also for all of you that have broken yours and need another set I have access to plenty of Euro smileys. Just hit me up.

[RobertB]

Here's my DIY smoked smileys. ;)

[Rogan]

not having done the glass-lense lights, I've done many plastic lense/plastic housing lights (Like Subaru WRX)..
I heat those up at 250*F. I preheat the oven, then put the HL assy. in on a cookie sheet, for 15-18mins. I take them out, put it on the bench, and with a couple of flat-tip screwdrivers, I slowly work the lenses off.. That seems to work well for those types of housings, anyway. I'll try my E30 ones, soon.

[aSpecD_]

okay. so i have US ellipsoids on mine. my driver side low beam lens were cracked in half, but it was still held by its original glue. so i was on the market for some lenses but because i now have HIDs, i wanted to use HELLA Glass lenses and not plastic. i thought, hmm 73 bucks for a brand new OEM glass lens..?? too much for my blood, and plus it wouldn't match the pitted lens on the other side. haha!

so with this DIY in mind, i drove to the junkyard. =)
i massacred three e34's to find the best ellipsoid lenses.
[all the e30's in there had sealed beams.. FTL]
i was told that the whole headlight assembly [one bucket/lens/projector] was kinda pricey so i had to somehow just get the lenses. with a few try's some came loose easily being under the sun for so long.. and some i had to gently pry out. but i successfully got a pair of low beam lenses, a pair of High beam lenses.. and for my just-in-case set, a pair of the chrome plated rings [the part around the projector that is to be painted black.] they're a little pitted but decent condition. $20 bucks for the six items! whoo hoo!

now that i have all lenses.. i didn't have to be so careful about breaking the ones i have! so i started with the low beams, held the whole assembly with the lenses facing down [so the glass pieces fall downwards and not into the projector] and with little pressure, hit them with a hammer! [make sure it's offset from the center to avoid scratching the projector.] now with only little glued pieces left, i used my heat gun. softened the glue and pried out all the remaining. i then cleaned it up for the new silicone, placed the painted rings and finally the lens! did both low beams pretty quick actually.. then i noticed i had the breather tube on my high beams!? good thing i held back before breaking their lenses. so i stopped there.

i'm worried about the crosshairs not aligning straight with the tube there sticking out. should i just try to find some used euro high beams and sit them in my US assembly? do they differ?

ps. whoever has some crosshairs they want to sell to me, just PM =)

[BigSam]

I honestly found it easier to boil the lens assembly. I put it in the water, and turned the heat on. I let them sit until they boiled, then for about 5 more minutes. Try prying up a little bit, then put them back in the water for like 5-10 more minutes. Very time consuming, but I didn't break a single lense. I also used the 'X' patern, I found it easy to line up to make the slots in the plastic backing. Uou can also use a razor knife to cut the adhesive, that works in tight spots.

PS, try using differnt color adhesives, I used red and it came out looking like my car was stoned, but awesome at the same time.

Sam

[JasonC]

hey guys, where did you get your SEM trim black #39143 paint? my Lowe's and kragen didn't have it..

Local automotive paint shop.

[DLag]

hey guys, where did you get your SEM trim black #39143 paint? my Lowe's and kragen didn't have it..

[CorvallisBMW]

You have to be patient when you do it. And be very careful. How long did you have it in the oven for? I put my lights in there at 250º for about 5-10minutes at tops. I used a small screwdriver to get in between the lens and the housing. It took me a while to get it off. The sealer they used is VERY strong and will not pull apart easily.

Well, I had them in there for about 10 min at 350. I used several different sizes of flat blade screwdrivers to try and pry the lenses apart, but no go. The only way I could get the lens to seperate was to use a LOT of force, and that shattered the lens.

[evil_twin]

OK so i just attempted this too. Baked all lenses as per Jordans instructions at 350F. The plastic adjusters melted, and fell on to the oven element making a terrible smell. I lost about half of them. Then I tried to pry off the lenses, and one shattered in to pieces. THe others will not come off, they are on there fucking tight as nails. I just don't get it, WTF am I doing wrong? I'm ready to just buy them pre-smoked.

You have to be patient when you do it. And be very careful. How long did you have it in the oven for? I put my lights in there at 250º for about 5-10minutes at tops. I used a small screwdriver to get in between the lens and the housing. It took me a while to get it off. The sealer they used is VERY strong and will not pull apart easily.

Darin maybe its cause you have a convection oven?

[Hairos E30]

ima try this fer'sher when i can..give u ups for sharing...

[CorvallisBMW]

OK so i just attempted this too. Baked all lenses as per Jordans instructions at 350F. The plastic adjusters melted, and fell on to the oven element making a terrible smell. I lost about half of them. Then I tried to pry off the lenses, and one shattered in to pieces. THe others will not come off, they are on there fucking tight as nails. I just don't get it, WTF am I doing wrong? I'm ready to just buy them pre-smoked.

[der affe]

PASKA!


i have hella H-4's (single light with high and low beam ala inner headlight delete). they are the the replacements for the sealed beam style. are they the same as the regular lenses

[maxel]

my lenses were being stubborn and wouldn't come off in the oven. i heat gunned them and cracked the lenses. crap!

anyone know where i can get HELLA replacement lenses??????

BMW Dealer, junkyard, E30, E34, E32 :)

[der affe]

my lenses were being stubborn and wouldn't come off in the oven. i heat gunned them and cracked the lenses. crap!

anyone know where i can get HELLA replacement lenses??????