Replacing the Lens on Adaptive HIDs

[miloh]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

FWIW, I had your DIY open and failed.

Just for more thoughts, I had a significantly easier time taking the lens off my second headlight by cutting the flat lens part next to the channel with my dremel and then using a hot knife. The hot knife seemed to easily cut through the seal and cause resistance when i touched the channel.

But make sure you buy a good knife. I bought a $15 one on amazon that had two screw attached chucks for the blade. Both of the chucks bent after 20 minutes, probably since I was using force. It survived long enough to get the lens out with minimal damage to the channel, but it was $15 down the drain.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by miloh

Just for more thoughts, I had a significantly easier time taking the lens off my second headlight by cutting the flat lens part next to the channel with my dremel and then using a hot knife. The hot knife seemed to easily cut through the seal and cause resistance when i touched the channel.

But make sure you buy a good knife. I bought a $15 one on amazon that had two screw attached chucks for the blade. Both of the chucks bent after 20 minutes, probably since I was using force. It survived long enough to get the lens out with minimal damage to the channel, but it was $15 down the drain.

Once I could get a knife in on both sides, I was fine with the regular hobby knife. It sounds like we took basically the same approach. IIRC, I cut the second lens off with my Milwaukee hackzall.. (First one got dremeled off.)

[miloh]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

Once I could get a knife in on both sides, I was fine with the regular hobby knife. It sounds like we took basically the same approach. IIRC, I cut the second lens off with my Milwaukee hackzall.. (First one got dremeled off.)

Noice, the best method.

When i receive my halos and seal it up i’ll snap a pic of the cutoff since it was significantly sharper!


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[Lowblock]

If the entire front lens is going to be replaced, by using the cutting method would be the far easiest method correct? To me its easier replacing the lens then it is to do a "headlight restoration" by sanding. if you cut around the entire lens and only leave where it attaches to the housing, it would make it much easier getting all of the rest of the lens off correct? Or is my thinking incorrect?

What lens would you use? I see stuff on ebay, but that isnt always the best approach.

Thanks
Dave

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Lowblock

If the entire front lens is going to be replaced, by using the cutting method would be the far easiest method correct? To me its easier replacing the lens then it is to do a "headlight restoration" by sanding. if you cut around the entire lens and only leave where it attaches to the housing, it would make it much easier getting all of the rest of the lens off correct? Or is my thinking incorrect?

What lens would you use? I see stuff on ebay, but that isnt always the best approach.

Thanks
Dave

Yes, cutting the lens off makes it a lot easier to get the rest out. I bought my lens through aliexpress.

That said, polishing the lens is a LOT less work. Especially if you have an LCI truck where you have to take the bumper off.