I've read a few DIYs but cannot seem to find out how long this is going to take me by going with the oven method and painting flat black...I've also read varying temps on what the oven should be set at...any updates on the best temp and amount of time to heat em up before prying apart...thanks in advance.

 

I personally wouldnt do it in the oven. Just buy a heat gun, its easier and it only take about 7 mins to get the lense off.

From start to finish your probabally looking at 2+ hours, most of that time includes painting.

 

Schedule a few hours, myabe 2-4? ... cause you need to put it in the oven for a few minutes, take some time to take it apart and then start doing paint. You want to let the paint dry inbetween coats, so thats the longest time factor. Fast doesnt always mean good, so take your time and try not to rush. I've found, especially with painting, rushing can make it turn out worse than good. You only get one try on the headlights, so do it right the first time.

As for temp, I recall doing mine at 275 and it worked out fine. This thread is from an 02/03 job, but should work for an 04 as well. https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=85372

Good luck!

 

I just did my 2003 ES headlights. I know it is not an '04 but some of the same things should apply. I put a damp towel on a cookie sheet. I preheated the oven to 275. Wait till it gets up to temp. Put the headlight on the damp towel sitting on the cookie sheet. I placed in the oven for 4 minutes. Pry gently with a flat blade screwdriver (make sure to lift tabs up first). I got about half of the light apart. I put the light back in the oven upside down for about 2 min. I then pryed the headlight off the rest of the way. I suggest using Mechanic's gloves while doing this to resist the heat so you can start prying immediately after you take out the light. The adhesive does harden fairly quickly. You can repeat the same process for putting the light back together. However, make sure it is properly sealed!!!!! Mine got moisture in it and took off a little bit of the chrome paint around the headlamp. If it does get moisture in the headlamp make sure you do not turn it on until you reopen the headlight and clean out the moisture. I used Krylon Fusion Gloss Black Paint (no sanding or primer needed). I bought it from Wal-Mart but I've seen at autoparts stores as well. This whole process took me about 3 hours. Try to only open the headlights up once. That was my problem. I hope this helps!!!

 

my previous car was a 04 civic that I used a hairdryer on and it took FOREVER. Not sure about the diff between going with the heat gun but it seems as though the tried and true method is the oven. I just dont want to melt my lights and not have a car to drive...Im guessing I'll shoot for 275 for 5 minutes...

 

thanks this helps a bit...so I should be able to get the lights apart in two 'bakes'...scared to do this but this weekend Im probably going for it...god help me.

 

it can be overwhelming at first, but just take your time and it will turn out great.

 

I was worried too...but the main thing is to make sure that none of the plastic is touching metal!!!! As long as you do this and only leave the lights in the oven for around 4min. you'll be fine. The part that you need to take more caution is the prying apart step (be gently but firm).

 

I just recently did mine, but i have a 03 OZ. Take about 2-4 Hours. I had the oven at 345 degrees and took me about a good 7-9 min each for the cover to be easily ripped apart. Just make sure you pop the holding pins open. For putting back togeather. i only let the final coat of paint sit for like 20 min. then i carefully put it togeather and put it back in the oven to soften the silicone again to squeeze them togeather. and by putting the painted part in the oven actually baked it and hardens it. looks great and no leak. real easy.

 

it's very easy. The headlight is so easy bro. unlike the tail lights. i charge more doing the tail than the headlights. here's my evo headlight and tails done it myself.

 

also. don't use a amber tint to amber out your signal light. I painted my from the inside. the amber paint is call Tamiya TS-73-Clear orange, they sell them at hobby shop.

 

I'm doing mine tomorrow and I picked up gloss paint, rather than flat black. Will that look all right, or would it look silly with a finish like that? Also, the how-to says you should use black primer, but the closest I could find was gray. That won't make a difference will it? Thanks.

 

nope. don't even primar, makesure you get a fiber cloth and wipe it down makesure it's clean from dirt,finger print, etc. I sue Autozone Valuecraft Glossy Black. Works fine as you can see. No need for hitemp paint. it's not going to melt like people say it will, my lights have been painted for almost 2 years. still looking good. makesure you take your time on each layer and let it dry for about 15 minutes if it's sunny and if it's not let it seat longer between eahc layer. don't blow the heat gun or heater at it. be pation or the paint will smear.

 

They make Krylon Fusion Gloss Black which requires no primer or sanding as prep. That's what I used and it looks great.

 

No high temp paint needed???? really!? Surprises me, I thought it got pretty hot inside those lights...didnt you use a heat gun to do yours or was that someone else? I've been hearing different views on oven vs. heat gun. I personally used a blow dryer on my old civic I used to have it it took forever...