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Headlight baking instructions

8K views 13 replies 5 participants last post by  TJXJWJ 
#1 ·
OK, so I failed miserably at getting my lens seperated from my headlight housing this past weekend. I baked a light in the oven at 220 degrees for fifteen minutes. I pulled it out and immediately began working at the seam with a stiff putty knife, and a razor. The housing's plastic would deform/deflect as I pried instead of the adhesive giving way. I've got Gen3 projectors on my WJ. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to increase the temp or bake them longer? The adhesive holding the lens on is gray in color...not black...not sure if that matters.
 
#2 ·
Sounds like you got them too hot if the plastic deforms upon prying.
I don't know anything about the WJ headlights. But maybe it's better to use a heatgun to get a more local heating over the factory seal.
Also. Don't get shy on the prying. Put some muscle in there :D
 
#3 ·
The housing plastic getting messed up is normal. It wont be seen once its installed. On my WK aftermarket lights i had to heat then a tad higher at around 300 for 10-15 mins.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Yeah Davy but if the plastic in the housing is deforming he obviously don't get enough prying force to separate the lens.

Tony. Try to bake it one more time and start where you think the plastic is thicker and stronger. I would suggest the side opposite the turn signal is. Rob gave me that tip and it helped. Once I got mine opened enough to get my fingers in there I just hulk pulled them apart.
Also, reheat after 2 - 3 min outside for 4 min.
 
#5 ·
Maybe I used the wrong word...by "deform" I meant that as I pried, I was messing up the housing (which according to you guys sounds like it's standard for this type of job). I was under the impression they would seperate easier once heated. Apparently I was wrong. I'll have to try it again and be a little more aggressive. You're right, you don't see any of the pry marks once the light is re-installed.

Did anyone try cutting the adhesive around the perimeter with a razor first?
 
#6 ·
Yea i also did the side opposite the turns first but idk bout the wj ones. Is the part around where u pry gettin "chewed up"? I beat the hell outta mine but not visible once installed and the windo weld covers most of it up
 
#8 ·
Looks like I just need to be less graceful...

Yeah Davy..."chewed up" is probaby the best way to put it. I guess I just need to live with that if I want to get rid of the amber reflectors...totally worth another shot.
 
#9 ·
Yea man its prolly one of the most PITFA projects lol. Sometimes you'll feel like smashing em. Make sure to seal em up good, i just saw some air seeping thru mine so ill have to put another layer FTL
 
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#11 ·
Nah...I want to get rid of those damned amber reflectors
 
#13 ·
Opening up WJ headlights is a cakewalk compared to WK HIDs. Give it another shot. You need to pry them with force but slowly. If you pull too hard/fast at first the housing just bends. That butyl rubber is very sticky and doesn't give way immediately. Once they start to separate, they start to come apart more quickly. There is more than one way to skin this cat but that's just how I've always done it.
 
#14 ·
Thanks dude...next time I get a minute to try this again I need to be a little less worried about the housing
 
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