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View Full Version : Removing orange reflectors from 96-98 Civic headlights


bumpstick
04-06-2010, 01:26 PM
Somebody asked me yesterday how I removed the orange reflectors from my OEM headlights. I forgot that I took pictures of the process. So follow along, at your own risk, and you too can have clear OEM headlights. This modification was performed on 96-98 headlights. 99-00 headlights are slightly different, but the majority of the process is exactly the same.

First off, preheat your oven. I heated my oven to 200 degrees for the first light and 250 for the second light. At 200, you will have to heat the light a little bit longer, obviously. In these pictures, the orange reflectors have already been removed.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/slammedb5/civic/DSC00506.jpg

Put your headlight on a baking tray/cookie sheet/pizza stone or any other flat surface that will not catch on fire.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/slammedb5/civic/DSC00507.jpg

Put the baking tray/cookie sheet/pizza stone in the oven. Let the headlight sit for about 5 minutes, then pull it out. What you are trying to do is soften the adhesive that holds the clear headlight cover to the headlight housing. Once the adhesive is hot enough, you will be able to simply pry the two pieces apart. Put the headlight back in the oven if the adhesive is not soft enough.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/slammedb5/civic/DSC00509.jpg

When you take the baking tray/cookie sheet/pizza stone out of the oven, place it on the counter out of the way. Do not put it back in the oven. If you do, it will continue to heat up until it reaches the same temperature as the oven and when you go to put your headlight back on it, it will start to melt the plastic housing. Take the headlight and place it on a towel or other soft surface. Be careful, it will be hot. Begin to pry apart the clear clover from the housing. Try not to not break the plastic tabs that help hold the two together.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/slammedb5/civic/DSC00508.jpg

This is the clear cover after removal. The cover has the chrome reflector attached to it. You need to remove the screws that hold the reflector to the clear cover. Clean up the clear cover with a lint free rag and some Windex and put it aside. Make sure not to leave fingerprints on the inner surface or they will still be there when you seal the light back up.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/slammedb5/civic/DSC00498.jpg

Once the chrome reflector is in front of you, you will observe the screw locations of the two orange reflectors. Take these screws out and remove the orange reflectors.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/slammedb5/civic/DSC00500.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/slammedb5/civic/DSC00501.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/slammedb5/civic/DSC00505.jpg

On a side note, you can take this opportunity to paint the chrome reflector, if you want a Type R style light. Lightly scuff the chrome, spray the reflector with paint, and let it dry.

If you decided not to paint the reflector, simply wipe it down with a lint free cloth and Windex and reattach it to the clear cover using the screws you removed earlier. Again, do not leave any fingerprints on either part or they will be visible when the headlight is reassembled. Loosely put the cover back on the housing and put the whole headlight back into the oven. Heat the entire headlight until the adhesive is soft and then seal the headlight back up. For an extra measure of weatherproofing, you can run a bead of clear silicone around the seam and allow it to dry before reinstallation. I did not do this and I have no problems with moisture or fogging. Now you can buff the haze off the clear covers so they don't look like mine.
Disclaimer: Neither I nor AZHT is responsible for any negative consequences as a result of this write-up. Enjoy.

QDM
04-11-2010, 05:17 PM
Thanks I think I'm gunna try removing just the bulb cover... I like the reflector :D

Dirt McGirk
04-14-2010, 05:50 PM
Did this a few weeks ago cuz when i got some new headlights. I just used a blowdryer and a flat head to pry it all apart. I was scared it would mess up the oven haha. All and all even using the blow dryer it didnt take too long.

silocalboi
05-03-2010, 12:45 PM
did this on my si years back. nice write up good job man!

silocalboi
05-03-2010, 12:46 PM
nice

dwa_colt45
05-03-2010, 12:49 PM
Disclaimer: Neither I nor AZHT is responsible for any negative consequences as a result of this write-up. Enjoy.

i lol'ed

bumpstick
05-03-2010, 04:29 PM
Gotta warn the knuckleheads

ek4franky
05-04-2010, 04:28 AM
just buy the real ek4 one's

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r21/frankyazm/31494f57.jpg

bumpstick
05-04-2010, 04:33 AM
thanks. I'll do that next time I have $500 dollars.

ek4franky
05-04-2010, 04:40 AM
Not even there like 200-300 shipped

bumpstick
05-04-2010, 04:48 AM
*they're*
BNIB for 200-300? Good luck with that. If Matt can get them to you for $200 shipped, I'll delete my S/N and never post on AZHT, ever again.
click if you think I'm lying (http://passwordjdm.com/JDM-EK-96-98-Civic-SiR-Headlights-P1414C164.aspx)

ek4franky
05-04-2010, 05:02 AM
Lol Nah not bnib used off NWP, HT or anyone the sells used JDM parts