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YOUR RESEARCHUpdating 996 headlights
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Clean inside of headlight
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Suggestion · Original poster
A few weeks ago I saw a video about using a magnet and microfibre with metal to clean inside of headlight.
Leading evidence: 'Clean inside of headlight' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean inside of headlight' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
Seems like I've seen a DIY thread where the person used a heat gun to remove the top lens and then painted the inner shell, but I imagine if it's not done right with higher temp primer and paint, it could be a mess down the road.
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Suggestion · Original poster
A few weeks ago I saw a video about using a magnet and microfibre with metal to clean inside of headlight.
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Suggestion
Seems like I've seen a DIY thread where the person used a heat gun to remove the top lens and then painted the inner shell, but I imagine if it's not done right with higher temp primer and paint, it could be a mess down the road.
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A few weeks ago I saw a video about using a magnet and microfibre with metal to clean inside of headlight. Well, I screwed up the chrome in the headlight. Expensive lesson learned.
I found a guy on kijiji (like craigslist) selling 996 parts. I asked if he had a headlight. He didn�t but mentioned that he can get the headlight refinished in whatever way I want. He sends me a pic of an example:
Although 996.1, I was impressed. I always liked what was done in another thread here on rennlist with blackening the headlights. I didn�t have the ***** to open the headlights on my own to do this. So, when these guys reached out, I thought right away that maybe this accident could be a good thing. Now, I am in Canada. Finding people that do this type of stuff is always problematic.
i popped the headlights out and drove them over. Only 20 minutes away.
Couple days later, he sent me pics of the light taken apart
then of the dechroming
We had a discussion around the high beam and signal reflectors. His preference was all black. The look I was going for was to have it look in such a way people would wonder if it was an option. I recommended keeping the reflectors both chrome. He said he would paint out the light and leave the reflectors chrome and mock it up before finishing and sealing the headlights.
Here is the mock up:
I cannot express how happy I am with this job. Waiting for the paint to fully off gas before sealing the lights.
I will post once they are on the car!
LMK if you have any questions.
Looks awesome man! I�m in Vancouver - can you get me the contact for your guy who does this work? I�d love to get my headlights redone as well. On another note, I�m hoping porsche or another company will manufacture a new black headlight option for 996 owners.. I think there�s a ton of demand since a lot of us need new headlights. Thanks!
This is some of the best headlight "mod" work I've seen. I'm not sold on many of the aftermarket LED lights on eBay. But this looks very promising. Kind of reminds me of the factory 991 smoked headlights. I saw a 991 at a recent cars and coffee event and the lights looks similar. I'm looking forward to seeing these on a car. They'll look really nice on the darker painted cars.
That's a really interesting concept. I'd like to see different mockups with different parts blacked out, like maybe to leave the oval chrome and black out everything else to accentuate the round part of the lights. If feel like with the entire thing blacked out it's almost
too
much darkness.
That is for me, the best option for those willing to have the "round lights" look
In the picture with the white plastic, if you paint only the glossy surface around the holes in the same color of the car, you will have the best approach ever seen to that round look, but without those (for me) uggly covers.
This really had nothing to do to achieve the round headlight look. I felt that the lights with chrome and gray paint were just too bright looking, especially on a black car. The stock tail lights are not a bright red but a more subdued tone. I think the darkened headlights are simply better looking.
If I wanted a 997, I would have bought a 997. I think the plainer interior of the 996 and the fact that it comes with a spare tire were the reasons I chose a 996. A 997 was less than 10% more.
I was not referring to you
What I ment was, that for that people wanting to have a "round headlights" look (I like like it is), it would be a really good approach, painting the sorrounding areas (just those below the "Stripped" area) in the color of the car. Obviously, then you have the glass on top, but it would give a taste mod, imo, better than those covers over the headlight.
Hello everyone , I have been lurking about the forum for about a year or so . I purchased my 996 about 10 months ago . For the last 4 - 5 months I have been trying to restore headlights and it's been fun and challenging . Last night I come upon this post and bam! Mr. Steam mill , has pictures of what my headlight is currently aspiring to be ! Looks good ! Can't wait to finish mine .
I had a local shop in tampa do it to my turbo headlights, came out well besides the top weatherstrip breaking. I need to pull the car out and grab some more pictures.
Non Factory part. I actually beat the ticket (and a few others) and that pissed the cop off...He kept pulling me over every time he saw me as the months went on. I finally had to sell the car as it got to aggravating.
He just had such a hard on for my car, I think he was jealous
Wow, I wonder how he was able to see the bulbs. Once installed, you can not tell too much the difference (actually a lot of cars come from factory with silver bulbs)
I have chrome dipped bulbs on my 996 and never have an issue with police. In fact one of my "normal" cars came with chrome dipped amber bulbs. I like the look much better than standard amber bulbs.
I'm looking forward to seeing these on the car. Seems like I've seen a DIY thread where the person used a heat gun to remove the top lens and then painted the inner shell, but I imagine if it's not done right with higher temp primer and paint, it could be a mess down the road.
I was pulled over for tint. He then did a full walk around and started writing tickets...Tint, after market LED tails, chrome bulbs, aftermarket exhaust, and the SRT sticker at the top of my windshield. I contested and beat every one.
Steam Mill..I pm'd ya.
I'm in rural Ontario with nobody local with any experience in Porsche headlight mods/restoration, and my Boxster's headlights have the typical DRL burns in them that I want gone.
Thanks...these are going to look fantastic.
The oven warms the adhesive between the lens and the plastic shell of the light so you can remove the lens without damage. The adhesive is very strong and the lens won�t come out without breaking if you don�t heat it first. It isn�t as dramatic as it sounds, since the temperature isn�t that high.
Yup. You'll still probably want a hair dryer to help keep the adhesive warm after it comes out of the oven. I've done this twice with previous vehicles. Not as scary as it seems.
You can also upgrade the projectors and bulbs while having the headlights dismantled. Someone else did it here on the forums on a 996 turbo. These guys did the work.
https://www.facebook.com/VisionAutoLab/
Dont know if they are still in business.
https://www.facebook.com/VisionAutoLab/photos/1982894918662223
[QUOTE=steam_mill;15549274]
Here is the final mock-up awaiting paint curing and off gassing before the lights being sealed.
Wow that�s exactly what I want to do to mine!
They must look brilliant fitted.
I just need the ***** to crack mine open & have a go.
The 997 Black Headlight Mod is a modification that can be made to the headlights of the Porsche 997 sports car
.
It involves removing the clear lens covers from the headlights and replacing them with black covers
,
giving the car a more aggressive and distinctive look. This modification is a popular choice among Porsche enthusiasts and is often used to give the car a more unique appearance
.
However, it should be noted that modifying a vehicle's lighting system can affect its compliance with local regulations and may not be legal in all areas.
