Q: 'Smoking' the front headlights

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 4:50 pm

Hey guys, just a quick question.

Getting a NB8A soon and the normal headlights don't really go with the gold body.

I've seen it on cars domain and a couple of car owners here that they have 'smoked' their headlights - effectively doing something to them to make it look 'darker' from the outside.

I assume it's not a matter of buying another set of headlights but literally a DIY job that one has to go through and darken 'something'.

What does it mean and what's involved? can anyone do it?

RG.net · Postby **RG.net** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:15 pm

take the headlight out.

put it in an oven, and watch the glue melt

once it starts melting/getting soft, take out of the oven.

use a screwdriver to carefully pry off the lens

unscrew bezel, prep and paint.

MX5CHIC · Postby **MX5CHIC** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:31 pm

Are you talking about Tinting the glass on the outside or painting the inside of the Headlamp?
Another method which I have successfully used is to heat the glue with a Heat Gun - but be sure to use gloves when doing it. Also remember never to use Silicon anywhere inside the seal when placing the lens back on as it will emit a vapour when drying that can cloud the relector and reduce light output.
Good luck with your Mod

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:50 pm

Couple of different methods used for a couple of different outcomes here. Any pics of what you're aiming for?

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:15 pm

Nope... I just did a quick search because i'm sure i've seen it on a forum member's car here...

But basically, it's to do with the inside the headlights more than the outside so that the light output won't be affected.

I just think that it looks a bit off to have light colour headlights on a gold background colour... (if i was getting a dark coloured mx5, it'll be another story).

Thanks for the messages guys - looks like it'll have to be a DIY job that is more complicated than i'd thought... i'll look into it later (unless someone has some way of doing what i want easier).

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:17 pm

what car is this for?

an nb8a? nb8b?

with the 8b, i'm very sure u need to remove the front bar to take out the headlight.. or at least, the upper half of the front bar.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:23 am

Someone here created a thread that had links to a step-by-step instructions on how to paint the lights as MXHEVN pointed out.

But if you don't want to do that, here's what I did to get similar effect. I only used a light tint on the blinkers. They are available at a much darker tint. Main reason I got them was to act as protectors (bling factor was an after effect).

Here are some before and after shots of my Clubman. For more pix, click here

Before

After

Before

After

More shots

On daylight they look much darker (the flash lightens them up a bit).

RG.net · Postby **RG.net** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:38 am

I'm guessing this is the result you want to achieve?

You paint this part (it bolts off the lens cover)

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:50 am

Thanks guys. That's exactly the result that i'm looking for.

What's the difference between MXHEVN and Hammer's way?

I'm getting a NB8A - so i'm not sure how that might be different to 8B.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:47 am

BadBong wrote:....What's the difference between MXHEVN and Hammer's way?....

MXHEVN actually painted the inside of the headlight (the chrome trim only - not the reflector). Whilst I used a film and stuck it on top of the lens. I didn't want to unseal the glue of the lens - too chicken maybe. But if you're not, I think painting it is better - IMO.

I'll do a quick search for the "How to" that was posted in this forum early this year and post it up when I do.

MXHEVN, was it you who posted the "How to" link?

RG.net · Postby **RG.net** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:48 am

BadBong wrote:Thanks guys. That's exactly the result that i'm looking for.

What's the difference between MXHEVN and Hammer's way?

I'm getting a NB8A - so i'm not sure how that might be different to 8B.

err, if you read what we posted, you would see that my method is ripping apart the light, and hammers is putting a film over the headlight.

BTW mine is also an NB8A.

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:46 pm

Would I be wrong to assume that both methods will reduce the amount of light that comes out of those lights?

Hammer - where can you get those tint?... I assume it'll be a sheet that you have to cut to the right size?

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:04 pm

They're pre-cut shape to the lights. Click here for more info on the fitting.

The tint will reduce some light going through them - hence why I didn't use "Smoke" tint on the headlights - as these come with even darker tint. But MXHEVN's painting the trim does not involve painting the clear lens, so it's just logical to say there shouldn't be any reduced light output.

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:05 am

Sounds like tinting is the way to go...

Where did you source them from btw if you don't mind me asking and how much did it cost ya?

How do you think they'll look if i change the light bulb to a 'whiter' light?...

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:34 am

I got the films from Lamin-X. Click here for the direct link to the MX-5s.

Cost is reasonable. It's the shipping that can be a killer. So when buying, I'd recommend buying in one go.

As for the bulb, I'm a fan of whilte light (not blue). I do a fair bit of driving at night when driving up to Nelson Bay. And about 6000k light is very handy on open roads and for spotting wild life. Any higher (say 8000k to 10000k) just makes them bluer and do not show up the road as much.

I've changed my NB8B's bulb into HIDs. I won't recommend them on the NB8A as the type of lens it has is reflector (as opposed to projector) and does not really suit it when it comes to light alignment. It will blind oncoming traffic too much.