DIY Tinted Headlights / Covers

[Steve]

As mentioned here: http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=1192

A while ago I tried tinting my taillights with some film material. I really didn't like how it turned out , but when I applied some of it to my headlight (http://g8gt.blogspot.com/2008/09/adventures-in-tinting-part-i.html) I actually sorta liked the look of it! The only downside was that you could barely see anything at night and just from a 'looks' perspective I actually would've preferred them even darker.

One night I was browsing the Australian Holden site and I noticed under the accessories page that they had a headlight protector kit. Instantly a light bulb in my head turned on. If I could tint these covers I could have my lights basically pitch black, and take them off for driving in dark conditions. I contacted Paul (http://forum.grrrr8.net/forumdisplay.php?f=117) and he hooked me up with a set.

It's a nice quality kit &Installation is a snap. 2 plastic tabs on the bottom and 1 metal hook on top. They go on or off the car in literally 10 seconds. They also have a black Holden logo on them.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJRW06jh-I/AAAAAAAAAJI/h6vwRMuh0xs/s320/10-07-08_1127.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJRW06jh-I/AAAAAAAAAJI/h6vwRMuh0xs/s1600-h/10-07-08_1127.jpg)http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJRWzzrrGI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/rEKTj--eVQk/s320/10-07-08_1137.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJRWzzrrGI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/rEKTj--eVQk/s1600-h/10-07-08_1137.jpg)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJRWxDcWrI/AAAAAAAAAJY/mJMdN68yLmc/s320/10-07-08_1812.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJRWxDcWrI/AAAAAAAAAJY/mJMdN68yLmc/s1600-h/10-07-08_1812.jpg)

I didn't take any pictures of the tinting process since it's much the same as the tail-lights that I did (http://g8gt.blogspot.com/2008/09/adventures-in-tinting-part-ii.html), if not even simpler. Though I have come to the conclusion i'm definitely cursed when it comes to any painting project. I lightly sanded the INSIDE of the covers with 1000 grid, put painters tape on the front to prevent any overspray, whipped out my can of Niteshades and within 2 seconds of starting to use it, it sputtered a few times , spraying erratically and then died on me... Greeaaaat... luckily I had some RC249 'R/C Car window tint' as backup , though that stuff is even runnier than NiteShades!. I just built up the layers till it looked dark enough and let it dry over night.

When not in use I simply stick the covers in the net in the trunk. Fits just great!
Here's the results

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJodtKkGyI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/dDph6tm8U4A/s320/Copy+of+CIMG2115.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJodtKkGyI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/dDph6tm8U4A/s1600-h/Copy+of+CIMG2115.jpg)http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpPi1ISCI/AAAAAAAAAKY/8VAqs2TkaWk/s320/CIMG2113.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpPi1ISCI/AAAAAAAAAKY/8VAqs2TkaWk/s1600-h/CIMG2113.jpg)


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpPZQrOKI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/7cfp1esLlQ0/s320/CIMG2111.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpPZQrOKI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/7cfp1esLlQ0/s1600-h/CIMG2111.jpg)http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpPJMETNI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Pyg2ZrwusWs/s320/CIMG2110.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpPJMETNI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Pyg2ZrwusWs/s1600-h/CIMG2110.jpg)

Like I mentioned the light output is totally sub-par at this point, but with it being covers you can just pop them off.

Headlights on:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpPsVZtcI/AAAAAAAAAKg/H0Bzm-TT2DE/s320/CIMG2116.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpPsVZtcI/AAAAAAAAAKg/H0Bzm-TT2DE/s1600-h/CIMG2116.jpg)

High-Beams on:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpP5IIV_I/AAAAAAAAAKo/9yk0sxPWjhU/s320/CIMG2117.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpP5IIV_I/AAAAAAAAAKo/9yk0sxPWjhU/s1600-h/CIMG2117.jpg)
Blinkers on - actually looks pretty acceptable for day-driving

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpczgNFaI/AAAAAAAAAKw/mNo8EoChI_c/s320/CIMG2118.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpczgNFaI/AAAAAAAAAKw/mNo8EoChI_c/s1600-h/CIMG2118.jpg)


Next to some 08's the dealership still has in stock - Makes a nice comparison between the lights
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpdAXgP3I/AAAAAAAAAK4/N0Rxrq9m4ZU/s320/CIMG2120.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJpdAXgP3I/AAAAAAAAAK4/N0Rxrq9m4ZU/s1600-h/CIMG2120.jpg)

Some more generic shots
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJodoLY2LI/AAAAAAAAAKA/Y6kJGhaDh-g/s320/CIMG2121.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJodoLY2LI/AAAAAAAAAKA/Y6kJGhaDh-g/s1600-h/CIMG2121.jpg)http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJodHd-l4I/AAAAAAAAAJg/pIl5Gnvt7ek/s320/CIMG2125.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJodHd-l4I/AAAAAAAAAJg/pIl5Gnvt7ek/s1600-h/CIMG2125.jpg)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJodAkwxaI/AAAAAAAAAJo/ESr_0VWpEZg/s320/CIMG2123.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJodAkwxaI/AAAAAAAAAJo/ESr_0VWpEZg/s1600-h/CIMG2123.jpg)http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJodQ3aKtI/AAAAAAAAAJw/_l4iGJE4MGs/s320/CIMG2124.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJodQ3aKtI/AAAAAAAAAJw/_l4iGJE4MGs/s1600-h/CIMG2124.jpg)

[-Ray-]

Nice work again. :)

[Featherburner]

They look really nice. Good work.

[rwdfan]

Great write-up.

I have a question. When you remove them, what's visibly left on the car? The 2 lower tabs?

Brett

[Steve]

Great write-up.

I have a question. When you remove them, what's visibly left on the car? The 2 lower tabs?

Brett

Hey Brett, if you don't mind popping your hood there's absolutely nothing left, otherwise a little metal strip on top of your headlight (but I would think that could fall off as soon as you start driving so I wouldn't risk that)

the 2 tabs are attached to the cover and slide under the light. From the top there's a metal clip that hooks 1 end into the cover and the other behind a ledge on top of the headlight. You can see it in the middle here (click for larger view)
so there's nothing that really stays on the car after taking them off
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJRWzzrrGI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/rEKTj--eVQk/s320/10-07-08_1137.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJRWzzrrGI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/rEKTj--eVQk/s1600-h/10-07-08_1137.jpg)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YId-C-hbkOU/SPJRWzzrrGI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/rEKTj--eVQk/s1600-h/10-07-08_1137.jpg

When I take'm off I just pop open the hood, pull the bottom slightly forward and up upwards so that the plastic tabs slide out and off the metal clip, which at that point you can simply pick up the clip and stick in your pocket or where-ever.

[BigRob]

yeah man!

[PantherGTBlack]

Have any tips on how to tint the reflectors in the front and rear fascias??? I bought some limo tint, just curious on the easiest way to remove the reflectors.

[MANOFSTEEL69]

That looks awesome Steve. To think thepeople at NBC weren't smart enough to use a G8 for the new Knight Rider.......And shame on Pontiac for not pushing it. Makes that Panther Black look even tougher!

[SRG963]

That does look killer. Bet people move over quickly when they see you in the rear view mirror.

This does make me think you should complete the whole black out process now.

Post up some current pictures :)

[KEV-O]

Anyone have an idea where i can find me a set of headlight covers for the 2009 gt?

[MANOFSTEEL69]

Crazy Paul!

[Crazy Paul]

Anyone have an idea where i can find me a set of headlight covers for the 2009 gt?

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