If you're talking about the led's in the projector surrounds here's the thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...eadlights.html

Just power them any way you like, key, park lights, headlights or even switched if you want to use a non-road legal color just for show when parked, be creative.

 

Anyone done a "Joey" mod to the tail lights?

I hate the chrome trim inside, so I'll be getting rid of it. If a writeup hasn't already been done I'll be sure to take photos and do a basic writeup.

 

It's probably impossible on the R50/R53 - glue is too hard. Might be possible on later cars, not sure. I gave up on mine and just did tinted lens covers.
If the glue is the soft kind, the process should be essentially the same...

 

It's probably impossible on the R50/R53 - glue is too hard. Might be possible on later cars, not sure. I gave up on mine and just did tinted lens covers.
If the glue is the soft kind, the process should be essentially the same...

 

Chad of Detroit Tuned has successfully cut the lights apart and painted the inside. I don't know his secret, but it turned out awesome. 2 years in and no leaks.

 

Thanks for the picture. I'm on a mission to get rid of every damn bit of chrome on this car (R53) so I'll figure it out or die trying. I'll take pictures and do a small writeup once I figure it out.

 

Yup, affectionately known as the Chad Mod in some places, I'm fairly certain the tails have to be dremmeled/cut open and re-glued.

 

You have to cut the lights apart (I believe he uses a dremel) to get the 'cover' off of it, they aren't in two pieces like the headlights. Once open its pretty easy, then just make sure you use a really good waterproof glue to put them back together. There is an extra layer of sealant then applied to the outside rim.

 

Thanks for this thread for the Joey mod! Doing my 06 Xenons right now. Only thing I'm doing different is painting essentially everything except the projector lens and the chrome reflector for the high beam, black. I would love to do bi-Xenon projectors one day, but for now this will have to do. I'm probably the only person to think this way, but I don't like the little ovals where the light shines through going around the projector shroud, so I painted those black as well. Looks much better to me this way.

I hate chrome.

 

I painted almost everything as well: http://www.blueminicooper.com/2013/j...ight-blackout/
The hardest was getting them apart, I was afraid to break the tabs, but once you get the first one apart its all down hill.

 

I really want to get rid of all the chrome on my car.. I have the adaptive headlights (R56).. any reason I shouldn't do this mod? has anyone done this with the adaptive headlights?

 

Did the mod today as well as removed the orange lense and changed the bulb to an amber one(stock one is clear). And removed the center cones that go in front of the bulbs. BTW auto zone says the replacement turn bulb is 7075. This is not true. Its 1056 but finding those are tough, 1156 is a compatible replacement. You can find the amber 1156 which plugs and plays to replace your OEM clear bulbs when you punch the orange lenses out and choose to go no-lense. The 7075 does not fit in the stock bulb holder. The 1156 is rated at a few watts higher but nothing close to fuse blowing or really any issue causing scenario.

 

never put up pics of mine

 

 

Mine's a Countryman, so the headlights are not round, but the procedure should be the same. I baked the headlights at 200 degrees for 7 minutes and tried prying them open, but could not get them apart. Baked them again for another 7 minutes, with no success. Finally, I just reinstalled them without the Joey Mod and called it a day. Any advice?

 

And yes, I did take off the little metal clips!

 

i did 240 degrees for 5-7 minutes. use a flathead screwdrive to pry the lens from the black housing, slowly working around. obviously remove the metal clip and the plastic clips that the lens snaps into. youtube retrofitsource and retrofitlab, they have how-to's on baking them and opening.

 

Thanks! 240 isn't too hot? I'm worried about melting/deforming the clear lenses.

 

why double post?

 

It was a mistake.

 

Is a high temp paint required? Or is "standard" paint fine? I plan on a matte black, with brg. I have some ppg automotive paint left over and wonder if it will hold up.

 

Normally Halogen=high temp, HID= regular, but if you have a good automotive paint like it sound like you do, shouldn't matter.

 

Thank you. I have the (factory) HID

 

Found this thread from another site. It is in another language but has some good pictures in it for the rear.

http://www.newminiclub.nl/forum/about5765.html

 

Im trying to seperate my light lenses but not having luck. Its on the old style xenons. Not really looking to paint them, just have one housing where the internal self leveling is broken, and the other housing has good internals, but the lense is really scratched and hazy. Llooking to swap the good lense. Using a heat gun how long should i be heating it up for. Its almost to hot to touch, but the adhesive doesnt seem to be losening. Would i be better off putting it in the oven?