Technical Splitting headlights (getting the lens off)

[GizmOwin]

Anyone done this? I've tried attacking them with a screwdriver. I've tried heating them in the over to soften the glue, but was a bit apprehensive putting them im for that long. I'm trying to make a set of custom headlights. Any help appreciated.

Owen.

 

[clock34]

get yourself a second set, smash the lenses on one and the rear of the other...... thats the easiest way.

otherwise in the oven/heatgun and prise

 

[GizmOwin]

I've got a second set, but I'm not after smashing the lenses! I need them as I'm keeping the originals for MOT time. I'll persevere with a heat gun. Hopefully someone on the forum has actually split open their Stilo headlights

 

[richydraper]

junior hacksaw and a STEADY hand

 

[GizmOwin]

junior hacksaw and a STEADY hand

Hmmm! I didn't think of this! Have you done this?

Owen.

 

[richydraper]

not with stilo headlights but i have with other PC and ABS light units if the cut is clean its really easy to clean up and stick back together

 

[Marshall147]

I am also wanting to split my headlights, but iv been told by other forum members before they are a complete b***h to split. The glue is really tuff!

 

[nikkiy9]

I tried on mine and gave up, ended up just swilling them out with water to clean them up

 

[GizmOwin]

I am also wanting to split my headlights, but iv been told by other forum members before they are a complete b***h to split. The glue is really tuff!

Yeah! Most of the seal is behind a lip of the plastic casing, so it's really hard to attack. I might try the junior hack saw idea, if nobody else has any suggestions, and I'll let you know how it goes

Owen.

 

[richydraper]

ABS melts at 105*C
PC melts at 150*C
you can easily knock 20-30* off for the 'max temp'

you could try getting the oven upto like 80*C and leave it in there for a good half hour or so then attempt to prise it apart. or if your properly brave and have a big enough pan submerge it in boiling water for 5 or 10 mins

 

[rattystilo]

what did mzhussein do with his? Didn't he do a thread on it

 

[schumraid]

what did mzhussein do with his? Didn't he do a thread on it

He split aftermarket lights with a heat gun, not oem lights

I had a go at this and gave up for fear of doing too much damage tbh

 

[Marshall147]

So who's brave enough to properly bake there's in the oven for like an hour. Seems to be the only way I think they will split

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

So who's brave enough to properly bake there's in the oven for like an hour. Seems to be the only way I think they will split

They'll be fine. Done it with a mk2 Panda. Glass front mind, but plastic rear, left at 90 in the fan assisted oven for 20-30min and the glue oftened enough for me to split the units

 

[GizmOwin]

ABS melts at 105*C
PC melts at 150*C
you can easily knock 20-30* off for the 'max temp'

you could try getting the oven upto like 80*C and leave it in there for a good half hour or so then attempt to prise it apart. or if your properly brave and have a big enough pan submerge it in boiling water for 5 or 10 mins

I'm not sure I'm brave enough to put my headlight in boiling water, I'm sure they'll be pretty much useless after that!

So who's brave enough to properly bake there's in the oven for like an hour. Seems to be the only way I think they will split

I think I'll try it tomorrow.. I'm just terrified of melting the lens affecting the circuit boards inside.

When I put mine in for 5 minutes, Every little noise in the house sh*t me up! I kept thinking the headlights were going up in flames!

They'll be fine. Done it with a mk2 Panda. Glass front mind, but plastic rear, left at 90 in the fan assisted oven for 20-30min and the glue oftened enough for me to split the units

I'll definitely try this tomorrow.. I'll let you all know how I get on. If I don't post a reply, you can safely assume It didn't go well and I've either passed on or my house has gone up in flames.

Owen.

 

[mzhussein]

I did also split an OEM light.

you CAN NOT melt the glue, the plastic melts before the glue.

the only way i managed to do it is to use a dremmel milling bit and slice allong the join, clean it out, have a poke around and seal it back up with silicone, this light is now in our shed as a "spare", works just fine and water tight.

 

[richydraper]

surely a dremmel cutting tool (mini cutting wheel) would remove less material than the 'milling' attachment.

put a run of masking tape around where you want to cut it may make it easer to keep a straight line when splitting

 

[mzhussein]

Yes, but, I only had the grinding type cutting wheel, this tended to melt it rather than cut it. I supposethe cutting wheel on a low speed would also work, but I had to cut quite deep at strange angles especially round the brackets, hence the milling bit is probably the least hassle. (the cutting wheel wastes about 2mm, and the milling bit 3.5 mm, so we're not talking massive amounts, besides the siliconebridges the gap quite well)

 

[GizmOwin]

Thanks guys! Dremel worked a treat! Watch this space for the new builds! I'll post them up when they're done

Owen.

 

[vladof]

Seems like a dumb question but I'll ask anyway. I have some kind of condensation in one of the headlights and I have examined everywhere, I just can't seem to find out where it has a crack.

Any suggestions on this one? Can I use a glue gun to just put melting silicone everywhere?

I don't have OEM lights. For some reason after the accident they just put Van Wezel lights, or something like that. They say they're german, but I'm pretty sure it's some china bull.