I will be looking to remove the chrom trim rings on my headlights for al little custom work. Can someone please explain how they are removed?

Thanks,
BEATNUT

 

remove headlights via 3 nuts in the engine bay....then just unclip the plastic chrome rings

 

Ok, the assemblie are out so I will look for the clips. Do you know how many there are? Also what do they look like?

BEATNUT

 

you will see them. They are just simple little clips that go over to the back of the headlight assemblie. There are a few of them. It's really simple

 

You do NOT need to remove the headlights to remove the trim !

If you have washers, with the hood open push out the sprayer arm, and use a spacer about the size of a credit card to hold it out.
The chrome piece will need to come off to remove the ring, this has 3 clips ... be careful and it comes off.

Very carefully almost at the bottom of the trim use a piece of plastic or other material to protect your paint (I used a chamos cloth), Look closly and you can see the clips, pry with a small screwdriver or better a plastic thingy (I use plastic spacers used for installing pergo flooring).
once one clip is poped it will move about 1/4 inch.
I then use the spacers from the glass side under the chrome ring and move around the trim (this pops the double sided tape that also secure the ring)
there are 3 clips on the botom half of the light.
once those are poped . ONLY about 1/4 to 1/2 inch . push (slide) the ring up to remove the upper clips.

It is a bit of a trick if you have the sprayers but if it is out as far as possable the ring can be moved around to pass the sprayer.

To replace top down first, up about 1/4 inch.
while pushing the ring down also slide it down (this clips the top) then the bottom snaps in.

I will be removing mine again shortly and will take some photos.

 

sounds confusing without pics
how's it done without the headlight sprayers?

 

For the 10 seconds it takes to remove the headlight assembly, it's probably worth doing. It makes it a lot easier to remove the trim rings.

 

same way ... a lot easier

Just look Very close at the outer edge of the bottom of the chrome trim ring and you can see the clips .
they are part of the ring.

yes ... while writing I figured photos do paint a thousand words

are you going to paint the rings ?
I want to black mine out but I know that paint just wont last long, so have been searching for vinyl, like the material used for blacking out the beltline, or even better the heat application stuff like used on taillights but I want it matt finish and opaque.

My finished lights will be yellow lens with matt black rings.

 

It isn't 10 seconds with zeons and washers

but yes ... that will also work.

 

Ok, 15 seconds.

 

Partsman...

It looks like you did your headlight rings body color .... VERY NICE !

How long ago did you do them and how are they holding up ?

 

I had mine painted body color by a friend in the body shop at work, and haven't had any paint chips yet. Our spray booth is also an oven, so they got baked after paint and clear. I think that may have something to do with the durability.

The vinyl will also work, as I know some guys that have had it done on the headlight rings with success. Good luck.

 

Thanks. Here's a pic...

They are holding up very well.

 

WOW they are plastic .... how hot can they be baked ?

I am sure if I did it at home, I would be on oven cleaning duties

Any idea where I can find the vinyl ?

I have done a couple of posts and just am not having luck

 

I don't know exactly how hot, but the bumper covers they paint are plastic too and need to be baked.

Send a PM to Randy from M7 aka maxmini. He had his done by a guy he knows out there in California, and you can't even tell it's vinyl.

 

thanks

 

Check this thread...
http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ead.php?t=1810

 

Art supply shops, sign maker shops, etc.. I got mine from a sign shop for $3 a yard and 1 yard is enough to do at least 4 headlight rings

 

im pretty sure the baking process doesnt use too much heat, just enough for the paint to cure completely, but quickly.