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Old 03-09-2006, 08:53 AM   #1
Silver_04_WRX_SC
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Default How to clear 06 headlights & paint.

I hope this helps some, I sent it to a few 06 people and they said it was ok. So I am going to post it up. For some reason I put steps in the photos, so my write up & pics don't correspond to each other I was told that most people will find the 1st part the most helpful. Please PM me with any suggestions that I can change to make the write up better... here it goes!

Tools needed:Permatex black silicone, small/skinny flat head screw driver, philips screw driver, Black silicone, 10mm socket/ wrench and long flat head screw driver. I also used goo gone to remove any silicone that got on the front lens of the head light. Mechanix auto work gloves, helped keep my hands clean, and from being burnt! As for bulbs, I bought some clear white bulbs from AutoZone that morning. But since then have ordered the chrome/orange bulbs.

The small skinny screw driver is for the plastic tabs, the skinnier the better. The Philips screw driver is for the screws on the back of head light, and one inside holding the orange reflector on. The long flat head screw driver came in handy to remove the front “nose” of the grill, the lower tabs are very hard to see and my hands were to big to fit down inside by the hood latch. The black silicone can be bought at any hardware store/ auto store; it is pretty much the same stuff Subaru used to seal the head lights. 10mm is the size of the bolts that are holding the head lights in place. Since I did this by myself, I got some silicon on the front glass of the light, sprayed some goo gone on it, waited about 30 seconds and it came right off. Make sure you Windex afterwards though.

Step 1:
See picture for more details.






You want to remove all the plastic fasteners across the top of the grill, and then proceed to remove the grill. The center part has 4 tabs holding it in place, using some good lighting, and the long screw driver, you have to reach in between the grill and the hood latch, and pull in on the 4 tabs. The top 2 can be done by hand and the bottom with the screw driver, or some force. To remove the “wings”, they are held in with 4 tabs also, the tabs closest to the middle are easy to get with your hands, the lower tab is kind of tough, but either using a screw driver, or fingers it can be gotten to. The 2 on the far side, closest to the light, are very hard to get at, by reaching my hand all the way down to where they were located, I was able to get the top one, and then by pulling the “wing” out at an angle the bottom popped off.

Step 2:




Light removal, see pictures for more detail.
Remove the 4 bolts/nuts that were located behind the “wing”, and then remove the 1 bolt at the top of the light, along with the plastic fastener. To get the light out, it is kind of tricky. You have to push out from behind, so it pops out about a ½ inch, then from the back lower side of the light, you must push up at an angle, while wiggling the light. Eventually it will pop out, and then remove the main plug from the wire harness on the back of the light.
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Last edited by Silver_04_WRX_SC; 03-18-2006 at 03:44 AM.
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Old 03-09-2006, 08:54 AM   #2
Silver_04_WRX_SC
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Step 3:
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/jwright77/Head***37;20light/step/step7small.jpg[/IMG]



Light prep, make sure your oven is turned on @ 220 F degrees. Remove the back circular cover for the projector bulb. Then remove all the screws on the back of the light and place the screws in the cover. (makes for a easy storage item) **Now you might be able to cook the light with the harness and bulbs left installed, but I didn't and won't make that call** You must remove the wire harness from back of the light. Remove each bulb and un-hinge each wire from the back of the light. You will notice that on the bottom of the light, there is a rubber seal with wires going into it. This is the wire going to the projector bulb. Un-hook the wire from the bulb, and pull it through the hole. (Yes it is a PITA, to get it back through) Now the light is screw less and free of bulbs and wires.


Step 4:
I didn't take any pictures of cooking or opening the light, since I was by myself. Before placing it in the oven, I used a flat head screw driver and popped up the plastic tabs that are around the 2 parts of the light. It is pretty straight forward, put the light on a cookie sheet, and cook for 20 minutes. Remove it after 20 minutes; let it sit for about 1 minute. It will still be fairly hot, so be careful. I wore the Mechanix gloves to protect my hands. I used the screw driver again to pull the clips off the base of the light, then took the flat head and put it in the crease of the 2 parts, and turned it sideways. This kind of started to break the light away from the 2 halves. Then start pulling, I put the light between my legs and started on one side and broke each half apart, as it breaks apart, the silicone will become stringy and will make like a "spider web" effect on the 2 parts of the light. I used a old knife to catch the silicone before it tore completely off and landed on the light. Once the light is pulled apart, leave the side with the projector alone. The part with the chrome housing and front glass is all you need.

Step 5:




I also didn't take pictures of painting, but it also is relatively easy. Remove the chrome portion from the front glass, it is held on by a few screws. Once removed, take the orange reflector off. It is held on by 1 screw. Set up your painting area, and do light coats on the chrome housing and orange reflector. Wait 10 minutes between coats, and make sure you get all angles and crevasses. I painted the orange reflector from the back side 1st, flip it over and paint the outside part last. I gave the Dupli-color at least 1 hr to dry. That is up to you though.

Step 6:
Assemble the housing, and place it back into the front glass. Make sure it is nice and tight. Take the black silicone and place a bead on the projector side of the light, follow the lines that are already there, use a pretty good amount. Take the glass side and place it back onto the projector side, I had to slide the glass side up with some force to get it lined up. Once lined up, I re-heated the light for 10 minutes, this softened the silicone back up, which allowed me to line it up even better, and close all the gaps and plastic tabs. Make sure there are no gaps, and you can wipe any excess silicone off. But it won't hurt anything. When putting the screws back in, I noticed it tightened the seal even more, I tightened the screws pretty good too.

Step 7:
You have to put the bulbs and harness back in, I found it easiest if I took the projector bulb connection, wrapped a small piece or wire around the connector, and pulled it through using the wire. Hook back up all the bulbs and put the wires back in their grooves.

Step 8:
Time to put it back in the car! It is kind of tricky; you really have to work at it. But coming in at an angle helped. Once you get the light back in, make sure you hook up the main plug to the wire harness. Put the bolts and fastener back into the light; make sure it is all lined up. And then check to make sure all your blinkers and lights work. Put the "wings" and center piece back onto the car. You're done!


Hope this helps!

Last edited by Silver_04_WRX_SC; 03-22-2007 at 12:11 PM.
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Old 03-09-2006, 09:04 AM   #3
essteaeye
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very nice, but there is no need to take the bulbs out of the lamps. Leave the bulbs, ballast, and harness all attatched. Just remove the philips head screws so you can get it apart.
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Old 03-09-2006, 09:07 AM   #4
Silver_04_WRX_SC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by essteaeye
very nice, but there is no need to take the bulbs out of the lamps. Leave the bulbs, ballast, and harness all attatched. Just remove the philips head screws so you can get it apart.
Thanks, I wasn't sure that day, I figured the bulbs put out way more heat than 220 degrees, but just in case I took them out. That will save alot of time.
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Old 03-09-2006, 09:11 AM   #5
vile
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sumbitted to scoobymod yet?
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Old 03-09-2006, 09:18 AM   #6
Geeoff
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Nice, thanks for the write up. I'll be doing this when the weather gets a little better.
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Old 03-09-2006, 09:18 AM   #7
Silver_04_WRX_SC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vile
sumbitted to scoobymod yet?
Nope, not a member. I can either sign up or someone that is more than welcome to post it for me
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Old 03-09-2006, 12:22 PM   #8
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and that is why! i'll never buy a used suby! you guys do all kind of crazy experiments to them!
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Old 03-09-2006, 12:33 PM   #9
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final pics?
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Old 03-09-2006, 01:15 PM   #10
Silver_04_WRX_SC
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Sorry about that, I have a thread under the members gallery ---> here. But here are a few.






Quote:
Originally Posted by dodiox
and that is why! i'll never buy a used suby! you guys do all kind of crazy experiments to them!
Mostly for the better though... look at her,she is dead sexy!

Last edited by Silver_04_WRX_SC; 03-09-2006 at 01:20 PM.
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Old 03-09-2006, 01:57 PM   #11
AttaQ
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Do you have any pics with the lights on?
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Old 03-09-2006, 02:22 PM   #12
06suba
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nice!! thanks! i was supposed to do a write up, but I havent even got around to clearing the heads yet!!! now you did the work for me, thank u!! ur car looks great
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Old 03-09-2006, 02:23 PM   #13
06suba
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by the way, if you leave the orange bulbs in but clear the rest is it legal in ca?
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Old 03-09-2006, 04:35 PM   #14
Silver_04_WRX_SC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AttaQ
Do you have any pics with the lights on?
Nope, but I can take some. The light quality/amount is exactly the same though.
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Old 03-09-2006, 04:40 PM   #15
ondenoantra
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wow great diy liking the mod.
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Old 03-09-2006, 05:06 PM   #16
WRXbkaus
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That looks very good.
I think I am going to do mine tonight.
Havent decided if I should paint mine yet since my car is black.
Any opinions?
As far as legal or not legal in Ca, I think that as long as you have orange flashers, then it is legal but not positive. Anyone else know?
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Old 03-09-2006, 05:16 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WRXbkaus
That looks very good.
I think I am going to do mine tonight.
Havent decided if I should paint mine yet since my car is black.
Any opinions?
As far as legal or not legal in Ca, I think that as long as you have orange flashers, then it is legal but not positive. Anyone else know?
not sure if its legal, but as long as ur blinker is orange then ur fine. i did the same clear corner procedure to my 99 TL and never had trouble. just dont put a regular bulb where there shouldnt be one and you'll be fine
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Old 03-09-2006, 05:48 PM   #18
Chp_Stix
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same way i did it and it looks great. I used used black paint and masked off the chrome around the projectors and thought that looked best IMO but i had the time to spend masking in detail
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Old 03-09-2006, 08:25 PM   #19
ATX25RS
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looks great.
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Old 03-09-2006, 10:26 PM   #20
06suba
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WRXbkaus
That looks very good.
I think I am going to do mine tonight.
Havent decided if I should paint mine yet since my car is black.
Any opinions?
As far as legal or not legal in Ca, I think that as long as you have orange flashers, then it is legal but not positive. Anyone else know?

I too am wondering the same.. it might look better just to leave it .

we need a black paint pic!
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Old 03-09-2006, 10:41 PM   #21
06suba
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I hate to ask, cuz i know this would be a lot of work, but would you mind making a printable version? I tried landscape as well, but the pictures won't fit
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Old 03-10-2006, 07:01 AM   #22
Silver_04_WRX_SC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 06suba
I hate to ask, cuz i know this would be a lot of work, but would you mind making a printable version? I tried landscape as well, but the pictures won't fit
I have the document in word format, I will host it later on today and post the link.
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Old 03-10-2006, 10:05 AM   #23
WRXbkaus
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I cleared mine out last night.
I didnt paint mine, I just took the orange signals out and put in silver bulbs.

It looks awsome, thanks for the steps it helped a lot.
I will post pics soon
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Old 03-10-2006, 10:58 AM   #24
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no this is not legal in california or anywhere else in the US, but who cares? no ordinary cop will ever know. the law is that you must have a amber reflector in the front of the vehicle. amber in the front, red in the rear...this is how traffic can tell the difference if you are coming or going. however, i have NEVER seen anyone with a amber bulb get pulled over yet.

i do have a question, how come your lights don't have a hole where the amber reflector used to be? did you paint the reflector or did you mask it off?
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Old 03-10-2006, 11:50 AM   #25
Silver_04_WRX_SC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by littlewhitewagon
i do have a question, how come your lights don't have a hole where the amber reflector used to be? did you paint the reflector or did you mask it off?
I painted the entire reflector. I actually did take an old tail light, dremeled out a chrome peice to fit in the hole. I spent some time trying to get it to line up, shaving a little here and there, but never got it just right. Someone that plans to leave it all chrome could try and perfect the method.

Last edited by Silver_04_WRX_SC; 03-11-2006 at 08:12 AM.
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