Anyone successfully remove headlight lenses?

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  • s_ribs
    Grease Monkey
    • Dec 2007
    • 344

    #1

    Anyone successfully remove headlight lenses?

    No luck for me and I don't want to break the lenses. If anyone has done it and would be willing to lend a hand I'll provide some beers/food!!
    sigpic

    1991 318i Sedan Project
  • rhett325i
    E30 Addict
    • Jan 2005
    • 575

    #2
    don't you just throw them in the oven @ 350 degrees for 10 min or so?

    Link:

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    • s_ribs
      Grease Monkey
      • Dec 2007
      • 344

      #3
      I did my research and tried before asking... did that and no luck. So I baked them longer, no luck. And longer still... ain't movin. It's the metal housing high beams that seem unmovable (part is that it's near impossible to fit a screwdriver in between the metal and glass). I think the plastic housing lows will be fine.
      sigpic

      1991 318i Sedan Project

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      • thedeal
        Mod Crazy
        • Mar 2009
        • 643

        #4
        Try getting a razor blade and carefully cutting away the sealant. It will give you a better idea of what you have to work with, as well as removing a large portion of whats holding it in. I like to leave mine in the oven at least an hour at 250-325. I use one of these too, not a screwdriver.




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        • Matt-B
          The Waffler
          • Jun 2009
          • 3856

          #5
          ive done it 4 times...(16 lenses)


          Please leave feedback below, thanks

          http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=358170

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          • s_ribs
            Grease Monkey
            • Dec 2007
            • 344

            #6
            Originally posted by thedeal
            Try getting a razor blade and carefully cutting away the sealant. It will give you a better idea of what you have to work with, as well as removing a large portion of whats holding it in. I like to leave mine in the oven at least an hour at 250-325. I use one of these too, not a screwdriver.
            I'll have to go look for one of those tools - thanks! I did get the low beams off safely after your advice to leave them in longer. All the other reading I did said 10-20 minutes but clearly isn't long enough for this glue.
            sigpic

            1991 318i Sedan Project

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            • Matt-B
              The Waffler
              • Jun 2009
              • 3856

              #7
              i do mine 5 min in oven


              1 min out


              to heat glue and quickly cool it, seems to shock it so it leaves adhesive on buket and lense is clean...

              smoking lights?


              Please leave feedback below, thanks

              http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=358170

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              • s_ribs
                Grease Monkey
                • Dec 2007
                • 344

                #8
                I don't seem to have the luck you do there.

                Smoking and frenching my euro lights, yes. Trying out a different style for making them yellow than I've seen anyone on here do. Have some Krylon yellow stained glass spray paint to spray on the inside of the lens so it's permanent and not just lamin-x. Picked up some nice laser cut cross-hairs from another forum member when he made some for his car.
                sigpic

                1991 318i Sedan Project

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                • Matt-B
                  The Waffler
                  • Jun 2009
                  • 3856

                  #9
                  might i recomend BBQ paint for cross hairs, its heat resitant and durable, i know people use SEM but ive had good luck with this

                  i spray it on and bake it under hot shop light...


                  Please leave feedback below, thanks

                  http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=358170

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                  • s_ribs
                    Grease Monkey
                    • Dec 2007
                    • 344

                    #10
                    Yup, already have some satin black engine enamel that I'll be using.
                    sigpic

                    1991 318i Sedan Project

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                    • Matt-B
                      The Waffler
                      • Jun 2009
                      • 3856

                      #11
                      nice same stuff really...good luck


                      Please leave feedback below, thanks

                      http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=358170

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                      • Holland
                        R3V OG
                        • Nov 2008
                        • 7176

                        #12
                        I need to quit procrastinating and do this.
                        1985 M10b18. 70maybewhpoffury. Over engineered S50b30 murica BBQ swap in progress.

                        Originally posted by DEV0 E30
                        You'd chugg this butt. I know you would. Ain't gotta' lie to kick it brostantinople.

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                        • s_ribs
                          Grease Monkey
                          • Dec 2007
                          • 344

                          #13
                          Low beams mostly done.



                          Need to go shopping for a tool to pry the high beam lenses out, and figure out how to convert the self-adjusting mount on the low to a standard adjuster.
                          sigpic

                          1991 318i Sedan Project

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                          • s_ribs
                            Grease Monkey
                            • Dec 2007
                            • 344

                            #14
                            Danke vielmals!
                            sigpic

                            1991 318i Sedan Project

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                            • JMil86
                              E30 Addict
                              • Dec 2008
                              • 558

                              #15
                              Originally posted by s_ribs
                              Low beams mostly done.



                              Need to go shopping for a tool to pry the high beam lenses out, and figure out how to convert the self-adjusting mount on the low to a standard adjuster.
                              Are these HID smilies? I've been wanting to do this to mine, but I am a bit nervous about ruining my lights.

                              Nio är livets tal.

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