White/Clear Headlight Indicator - DIY

[T2FFN]

Do the light 'shells' open easily enough?

When I fitted angel eyes on my e46, I had to remove the whole light unit (which took AGES), unscrew all the parts, and use a hairdryer to warm + soften the adhesive.

The latter stage was easy if anyone is scared - you don't need to put the units in the oven!

S

Same for a TT. I'd be interested to see why this 100% wouldn't work for these lights as the TT also had a lens that sealed inside a double lip on the headlight and with heat applied from a hair dryer, it eventually softened the glue.

If I can get a donor that's only a few £££ I'll have a go.

 

[Adamski]

I thought someone had successfully cut open their existing headlights and reused/resealed them without the need for a second set? Can't find the link at the moment so perhaps my memory's not what it should be, but I'm sure someone's done this.

I'd be interested in a set of clear boomerangs if I was able to cut open and reuse my existing lights...

I always though you may as well open up your own lights and insert the clear hockey sticks and reseal original lights if updating this way. And if you had a set of clears, then the only reason to open em up would ve been if you wanted to upgrade clear halogens to xenon.

Or am I being a numpty??

If you have a clear set of boomerangs, I also thought you could cut open a set of lights with ambers, swap the ambers for clears, then re-seal?

SIMPLES? :?

Would this be right?

 

[spr_bimmer]

these lights arent sealed the same way... a lot more people would be doing this mod if the lights were simply siliconed together. They are permanently bonded together, crazy glue style and require you to cut them appart.

 

[T2FFN]

Every glue must have an... anti-glue... :lol: :lol:

What is the glue that is used? Could it be as simple as finding what it is and finding something that removes or breaks it down?

 

[Ellardo]

Every glue must have an... anti-glue... :lol: :lol:

Ha ha ha

I also used to love watching Star Trek.

 

[Adamski]

If we found the right solvent would it work? Or has all this been thrashed to death before?


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[T2FFN]

haha, not seen it myself but it just seems logical.

Goo-gone, acetone... something to try to soften it, then apply heat... I want a broken headlight to try it on! I refuse to be beaten by a bit of glue! :evil:

 

[ranski]

you cannot soften the bond that has been used to seal the lights, either by oven or hairdryer

The only method as detailed here http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2953&hilit=angel is to cut them open

 

[Liam-O]

Well that's a bit rubbish. Cheaper to buy a set of clears?

 

[Adamski]

Well that's a bit rubbish. Cheaper to buy a set of clears?

Clear indicator Xenons for a pre face lift are c.£700 per side, excluding ballast and igniter


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[Dean-Z4]

A bit off the topic, but I was thinking how cool the rear lights would have been, with a dark-red circle of LEDS!

 

[andrewr]

Just a little update. Ranski is kindly sending over the orange hockey sticks this week, I can then start to work out the best way to cast the lights. It will involve lots of trial and error before getting it right, so it's likely to be a couple of months before i'll have anything to show.

I will keep you all updated,

Andrew.

 

[a11y]

Just a little update. Ranski is kindly sending over the orange hockey sticks this week, I can then start to work out the best way to cast the lights. It will involve lots of trial and error before getting it right, so it's likely to be a couple of months before i'll have anything to show.

I will keep you all updated,

Andrew.

I'm VERY interested - will be watching for updates. I think you'd have a flood of orders if you come up with these.

 

[JimmyPop]

Yet another forum entrepreneur!

 

[andrewr]

One thing I don't want happening is Hella chasing after me becuase I have copied the part. Does anybody know where I stand in this situation? As the part is not available to sell separately, and is only one component in the assembly, I don't think this will be a problem. Further more, I will make sure that everyone knows they are not genuine parts so that nobody thinks they are buying a BMW/Hella part.

If anyone has a more informed view on this, i'd be grateful to hear.

Andrew.

 

[Adamski]

Sounds encouraging for those of us in the amber brigade

I'm not an expert on the legals bit, but know a man who might be. Will ask and report back.


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[andrewr]

Sounds encouraging for those of us in the amber brigade

I'm not an expert on the legals bit, but know a man who might be. Will ask and report back.


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Fantastic, thanks!

 

[tomTVR]

Just wanted to add my 2p

Firstly you can cut open and reseal a headlight. It takes a brave pill and lots of time but it's not particularly difficult. I did it when I fitted Angel Eyes to my old set. Currently running with unmodified clear lights but they cost me a fortune. I might do an AE conversion on my current lights if i can find a decent AE supplier.

Great idea to try and make your own, they are identical inside apart from that one part. You also have the potential to make them even better than standard clear lights. For some reason BMW decided to use a clear bulb with amber reflector even on the clear lights, so theres still a bit of amber lurking inside. You could make it completely clear and used a smoked chrome amber bulb.

Has anyone tried to contact Hella directly? It's a part still in production. If someone could obtain a box of them then it would be so much easier!

 

[a11y]

You also have the potential to make them even better than standard clear lights. For some reason BMW decided to use a clear bulb with amber reflector even on the clear lights, so theres still a bit of amber lurking inside. You could make it completely clear and used a smoked chrome amber bulb.

That's a good point. I know that cj10jeeper (and others?) got rid of ALL amber hints by using silver paint/film/foil/something on the orange reflector. I've still got some Philips Silvervision indicator bulbs that I had in my Clio in 2004 - they're now in my van - but they'd slot straight into a Z4

 

[Adamski]

tomTVR, good call on contacting Hella direct.

Has anyone tried this before, cj?