The largest Civic Type R club forum

Established in 2002 it brings together people from all over the world to discuss their one love of Type R's.

User avatar
By RoSs-K20
#2547262
As the title says this is a quick tutorial on how to colour code your Pre-facelift headlights..
I know this has been done before a million times but i decided to do mine the other day and thought i'd document each stage and share my knowledge and experience in performing this headlight modification.

Also i would just like to point out before anyone considers following this "How To" thread that i take no responsibility if anything goes wrong, this modification takes abit of common sense and if you find it hard to change a sidelight then STOP reading now and close your web browser.

STEP 1: Remove front bumper and headlights (I used existing "how to" threads & tips to do so)
when bumper and headlights are removed you should be left with this...

Image

And a pair of these...

Image

STEP 2: Before cooking, remove any bulbs and also the 5 clips situated around the lense...
NB: take these clips off now because they will be very hot when just out of the oven.

Image

STEP 3: Preheat oven to 140degress and carefully place headlight into oven and cook for 4-5mins
NB: Be cautious not to place headlight against rear or sides of oven and also be careful
not to totally melt headlight, if you smell plastic get it out quick!!!

Image

STEP 4: Season your headlight to your required taste... for example Salt/Pepper

Image

STEP 5A: Grab a pair of these :idea:

Image

STEP 5B: Remove headlight from oven (Using your protective mitts) and prize open headlight
with screwdriver, pull both ends apart from eachother so that the glue is still spread out evenly around the seal.
should look something like this...

Image

STEP 6: For this you will need a Torc head bit/screwdriver/allen key and remove the 2 screws
holding the chrome reflector inside the lense...

Image

This is the part we want to colour code...

Image

STEP 7: Rub down both Reflector lenses with 600g sandpaper until majority of chrome
finish has gone and your left with an almost grey finish..

Image

STEP 8: Prepare your lense for paint, i used thinners on a clean cloth to remove any grease/dirt/dust
from the surface on the lense to reduce any reactions when the primer/paint is applied..

Image

STEP 9: Hang your lenses up by using string or metal coat hanger and hook onto one of the screw holes
on the rear of the lense, this will allow you paint freely without worrying about touching the lense to get better angles..

Image

STEP 10: Ready for primer base coat, i went for 3 coats of primer and allowed 30mins between each coat.
NB remember to spray evenly and not too close to the lense to prevent "runs" in the paint.. you can always add another coat on, you cant take one off.

Image

STEP 11: Ready for paint :thumbup: i went for Halfrauds Satin Black as i wanted to almost keep that
subtle mat black OEM look.. I done 3 coats again with the Satin Black and allowed to dry

Image

STEP 12: Once both lenses are fully dried, you can now rebuild your headlight, refit 5clips and restart the oven
process to allow the glue to heat up and reseal your headlight again.. once you have done this
your headlight should look something like this..

Image

STEP 13: Refit your lights..

Image

STEP 14: Refit your bumper and sit back and enjoy the evilness :twisted: hehe

Image



Hope this How To thread helps at least one person :salut:

Ohh and also excuse the sport grill :roll: long story
Last edited by RoSs-K20 on Sat May 29, 2010 6:57 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
By Siborg0_0
#2547395
This wont be to everyones taste Ross-K20 but that is a superb "how to" and hats off to you for taking the time to post it. Big thumbs up buddy :thumbup:
User avatar
By RoSs-K20
#2547400
Siborg0_0 wrote:This wont be to everyones taste Ross-K20 but that is a superb "how to" and hats off to you for taking the time to post it. Big thumbs up buddy :thumbup:
Thanks matey :smile:
civictyper45 wrote:is that a old shape bumper and a new shape sport grill??? :scratch:
That would be correct, the previous owner thought it would look better with this grill and hacked the top of the bumper off..
new bumper from Honda up at my cousins house just need a Pre-R front grill and then i can change it over :scratch:
User avatar
By RoSs-K20
#2547408
tuf wrote:Very nice write up :thumbup: .

Yes like said above rip that grille off mate and launch it down the backstreet.
thanku :thumbup: its got to be done
User avatar
By shino88
#2547409
Great 'How-to' :-D Nice of you to take the time to do the writeup :thumbup:

I want to do the same now :-D but am thinking maybe a brighter colour so it stands out more......still black on black is FTW stealth.

Hmm have to agree with the others though, that grill does look off on the civic especially as some facelift models have even modified the grill just to get rid of the BIG H as it doesn't look right, like if it was a big red nose,

Put back the pre-face small Red H thats what makes the car special :wink:
User avatar
By RoSs-K20
#2548440
shino88 wrote:Great 'How-to' :-D Nice of you to take the time to do the writeup :thumbup:

I want to do the same now :-D but am thinking maybe a brighter colour so it stands out more......still black on black is FTW stealth.

Hmm have to agree with the others though, that grill does look off on the civic especially as some facelift models have even modified the grill just to get rid of the BIG H as it doesn't look right, like if it was a big red nose,

Put back the pre-face small Red H thats what makes the car special :wink:
Thanks for the comments matey :thumbup:

Yes i agree with the others too :lol: it doesnt look right IMO, but a Prefacelift TypeR grill wont fit on this bumper
because the previous owner cut the grill supports off the top to fit the big H facelift grill, i have a new bumper from honda waiting to go on, just need to wait until payday to buy the Pre-R grill and get the car back to OEM :salut:
hutch_ctr wrote:Is the paint that you used high temp paint or just the normal stuff?
Just the normal stuff mate, you can lacquer over the top of the paint also if you want but i wanted a mat black finish :smile:
User avatar
By TOM_CTR_EP3
#2548548
Brilliant instructions! I did wonder if you were taking the pee when you mentioned about putting the lights in the oven! :-D. Is it worth pointing out that this method should only be done with fan assisted electric ovens? :smile:

I want to do this on my milano red, should set it off a treat :thumbup:
User avatar
By sn:afu
#2548607
bluntcap wrote:Excellent write up mate, although I'm too scared to try it myself :salut: :thumbup:
Fixed.
User avatar
By bluntcap
#2548617
sn:afu wrote:
bluntcap wrote:Excellent write up mate, although I'm too scared to try it myself :salut: :thumbup:
Fixed.
:lol: No I have the facelift light :cooldude: and yes I would be too scared....if it involves more that filling my tyres up with air I'm lost
User avatar
By RoSs-K20
#2560816
TOM_CTR_EP3 wrote:Did this little mod today! I'll get some pics up tomorrow. Suits my milano red an absolute treat! :thumbup:
Nice one matey, look forward to seeing the pics :thumbup:

Hello guys, My name is Mauro, i am from Portugal […]