Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics Hightower mod

Where can I find a how to for the hightower headlight mod? Does Cris have military discount, or payment plans?

military discount hey????????? hahahahaha
ya i want a veterans discount

Are you talking about the post98 headlight mod? I dont think he is doing them anymore.

If you are talking about the pre98 headlights, he is still working on them,

Hey man, you can do it yourself! My brother has a 99 civic SI, and on one of his web pages there was an article on how to blacken your lights. We tried it and it worked, since the project was a success we tried it with my lights, since it was the same basic setup. First thing you do is get a small flathead screwdriver, a heat gun(optoinal just made it a little easier), clamps with rubber ends(so you dont scratch the light lens), your choice of adhesive, I used liquid nails, and a can of primer,black spraypaint, and some enamel. First, preheat the oven to 325(trust me), unscrew the light from the car, and put the entire light(no bulbs, take those out) in the oven. Leave it in there for about 5-7 minutes. It will be hot when it comes out so be careful. Start to pry the two pieces apart with the screwdriver it wont come apart on the first try, so keep putting it back in the oven. I used the heat gun on the first light only, because on the second light I got bold and left the light in the oven longer. Dont get me wrong the heat gun did help, if you choose to use it focus the heat on one part of the light for a few seconds then pry that part open. The longer you leave it in the easier it will come apart. Once it is apart pull out the chrome looking piece, wash it off with some kind of degreaser so the paint will stick easier, dont forget this. Dry the piece off, and tape up what you dont want painted, I taped all of the larger flat surfaces, and painted the smaller ones. Put a few coats of primer on it, with this kind of material you will get alot of fisheyes so be careful. then spray about 5 or 6 coats of black. But only a few coats of enamel.Make sure you let it dry a little between coats, Be careful taking the tape off because it will tear the paint off with it. I had to start all over again because of this. Once its dry put it all back together, use the adhesive you use generously to avoid fogging. Use clamps to hold it together until it dries, put rags in between the clamp and the light lens to avoid scratching. I think thats it, if you have any other questions you can pm me. I'll get ahold of a digital camera and post my lights asap.

COOL! What a sweet how to! Thanks for posting that man.

What sort of clamps did you use, c-clamps or what?

I read a howto on this in the past that suggested using a dremel drill to get the lense appart. Either way I'd be affraid is messing something up

I used a dremel and kept breaking cutting tips...ended up using a soldering iron with a cutting tip on it. Works really well except on the sides where the silver paint is. I really messed that area up. New lights are on the way...debating trying this mod again. My main concern is that when I taped off the turn signal reflector I could not get it sealed off right and paint found it's way onto the reflector, so I had to just paint the whole damn thing! SUCKS!

I used the clamps that have the trigger for a tightener/release. Dont be scared to pull them apart, they will come apart. If I can do it you guys can, and t-red, I found it easier to take the reflector off, and then use super glue to reattach it. I love my lights now. I do not regret the work. Just take your time.

Originally posted by ByeByeSI:

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and t-red, I found it easier to take the reflector off, and then use super glue to reattach it.

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I'm talking about the chrome basket area around the blinker light itself. It's a bitch to tape off!

I think my lights were the last set Chris did.. I won them in a raffle at the CEG National Meet.. Here is a pic. They came out awesome... They changed the hole front appereance of the car...