tonyb635

My point with silicone was, it has nothing to do with butyl and is definitely not used around the windshield. Butyl does not contain silicone as butyl is a polymer product composed of isobutene-isoprene, and silicone is made up of polysiloxane. Silicone works better with internal seals when used in composition because it doesn't break down like a rubber seal would. Once you apply silicone to seal up your lens and then find that that you want to change to something stronger and different for whatever reason, nothing else will stick, well maybe another silicone. Sure they make silicone removers but this is a oxymoron, and if anyone really believes this, I would challenge them next time their painting something to apply silicone, then clean it off with this remover and then apply some paint and just sit back and watch what happens. I am sure silicone will work just as butyl or perhaps just about any other sealant with securing the lens back to the housing, but I personally would feel better once they go back on that I don't have to be concerned that its not strong enough, I'd prefer to create a bond that is similar to the original one. If I ever figure out how to MIG weld plastic, that is what I would use...

nomis_nehc

Sorry man, don't think I came across any pm from you.

Now, to comment on the video. I do not do the same method as the video shows. However, the way I open and seal now more or less look as oem as possible. I've posted pics on my FB to show this.

Additionally, for the heating method above, I am rather skeptical that the surrounding area where it's heated, the plastic isn't bubbling or damaged in some way. The reason is because I have seen lights that were attempted to be opened by heat gun, and it was just a mess.

For those that want to try this, I would advise you to use a practice set, because I can almost guarantee you that it's not as straight forward as the video is making it to be.

madein

So do you still cut them open or there is "secret" how to do it?

umnitza

Listen to what Simon is saying. Together with Simon, we've probably done over 100+ of these headlights at this point. They are not as easy as the video is making it out to be.

Several things jumped out in this video:
1) There is very little time spent using the heat gun, to get the sealant properly warm enough to even attempt to do this, you would need 2-3 minutes of just warming it up slowly and methodically, and instead should use a conventional oven to get all the sealant equally warm/hot.

2) He's using a 'chisel' and screw driver and neither the plastic nor the lens exhibits any sign of stress cracking or damage. Very difficult to accomplish, if not impossible with that little time warming it up (see #1).

3) There doesn't appear to be any sealant residue on the lens once it's removed. Could be wrong but even with this sealant, I'd expect some of the "black stuff" to remain on the lenses.

My suspicion is that the lenses were pried open prior to the video (as it can be done with LOTS of hours and time) and then the video makes it seem "super easy".

---
For the installation, you can spend 8-10 hours per light and slowly methodically open it using the oven technique. Most people don't have that kind of time.

Our last install where we attempted to do this technique was on the new X5 E71 headlights:


We used Koito sealant to close up the lights, then used a 3X adhesive, then finished it off with a silicon. If you want to see the middle photos as the process was progressing, we need to get them posted up. This headlight we actually cut open using a multi-max type tool with a metal/wood blade. The cut line is very narrow with very minimal loss of material.

Plus, once installed back on the car, it's impossible to tell where you cut except if you look carefully at the top of the headlight only when the hood is open.

here are some that have been done in the past by us:

528canyonrot

Umnitza please post the photos

umnitza

it will be some time, they are on the installer's camera, will try by end of this week.

CALIC

I am happy to report that after 12 hours or painful work i have finally done it! i have opened both of my headlights. I didn't follow the video posted as there was no way they were going to be as easy as it was shown on the video. So i had to come up with an alternative:

First i didn't want to cut the lens, this was a no go for me. What i did instead is cut the plastic that's on top of the glue, as the plastic that's holding the glue is shaped like a U shape and the lens sits in the middle, i cut the top bit to make it like an L shape if you know what i mean. I used a combination of dremel tool, Heat gun and shape blade to to cut the remove the plastic and the glue. First headlight took me 8 hours to figure it out, second took only 2.

tonyb635

What are y our next steps and what are you planning to do to them now? I tell ya, you clearly are brave!

CALIC

Haha, thanks. The whole point of me opening the lights was to install the orion v4's.

This is going to be a big project as am not only installing the orions, but installing them on an Lci halogens and will need to retrofit the headlights to my fit my pre lci..

Another pain in the a$$ is that I initially bought the the orions for my pre lci halogen lights, now the high beam rings are slightly taller than the oem... I hafto find a way to stick them on

Am really looking forward for the end result

madein

Impressive!!!

Now after you open them, what do you thing about the video?

Do you think it would be possible to open them without cutting the top bit?
When you use the heat gun, what temperature did you use to avoid any head sign damages?