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Joined: Sep 2002
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Addicted CEG\'er
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I didn't intend to rip on him for starting this GB. There are definitely a lot of people interested, as I would be if I didn't/couldn't do it myself. I bought a spare set and decided I'd try my hand at it. The first headlight was a pain, but found a good technique and got the 2nd one apart in 1/2 hour. It looks as if he did a really nice quality job of masking things off and painting, and getting them back together without a lof of adhesive oozing out the sides. I just stated that I didn't agree that using a dremel is all that dangerous. long sleeve shirt, a pair of gloves, and some safety glasses is more than enough protection. Lay out a tarp, or newspaper so it's not getting on your carpet. There are ways around hurting yourself and making a mess, and it's not by raising the original price of the GB.
Mark
2000 Black CSVT
3.0L Hybrid - 206fwhp & 195fwtq
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 246
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CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 246 |
SO how much with the lens polish included then?
'00 CSVT Koni/B&G (New), SCA intake, 18 inch Falken Circuit Spec (gunmetal), CF hood, Headlights by Dan, Mirko, deleted front license plate/painted chrome ring. Headers/y pipe installed - TruBendz Borla system no Res and optimized TB. Getting there!
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Originally posted by Y2KSVT:
I didn't intend to rip on him for starting this GB.
I'm not ripping him in any way either.
But, I speak from experience with opening the headlights - I've pruchased them from a CEGer (who shall remain nameless) who had a Group Buy and have done them myself.
With the GB ones I purchased
The seller assured me repeatedly via PM and IM that he was so good at cutting them open that he could do a set in under an hour and once assembled would look perfect. This was important because I purchased brand new OEM headlights for the GB. Well, I got the lights back and they were completely trashed aesthetically. Broken plastic, scratched chrome, debris left inside the headlight housing, silicone leakage in the housing. I wanted a refund of some kind, even half - he refused and I never got my money back. 
My own
Cutting them open was not that bad. But, I seriously have to question how you can cut open a set in under an hour without damaging anything. I was extremely careful and spent about 1.5 hours on each. I can understand shaving maybe a half hour off each headlight (2 hrs total), but 30 minutes per? I'd have to question the quality.  The rest of the process is not too difficult - prep, mask, paint, seal, etc.
I was offered money to do this service and declined due to the concerns I mentioned above. I'd feel bad offering a product that wasn't something I know the customer would be 100% satisfied with.
I've been burned twice on GBs handled through CEGers for substaintial amounts of money and will never again participate in a "I'll make this for you" type of GB.
Good luck to everyone.
Edit:
IMHO, for a high quality job, I would estimate:
Cutting lights open: 3 hrs
Prep for paint: 1.5 hrs
Paint: 1 hr
24 hr drying time
Cleaning rough edges: .5 hrs
Sealing: 2 hrs
Sealing stage 2: 1 hr
Total: 9 hrs minimum
Again IMHO.
Last edited by SVT PETE; 12/16/04 10:23 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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Pete,
As I said, the first headlight honestly took me upwards of 4 hours, as I was so damn scared of cutting to deep, and if I was even cutting in the right place!! After I was about 1/2 way into the light, things started to move along and it went very smooth. The 2nd light was a breeze from there. I'm not saying I couldn't do a better job, as this was my first attempt. I think sealing the lights back together is the most tedious part about it, as I used quite a bit of the 2part epoxy and if you don't line the lense and the headlight up perfect when putting them together, then it will definitely get all over the inside of the lense. I'll definitely not be doing this again, but I know I could definitely do it everything I listed in ~5hrs and have them look really nice.
Mark
2000 Black CSVT
3.0L Hybrid - 206fwhp & 195fwtq
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 835
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OP
Veteran CEG\'er
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Thanks Pete for your opinion. When Ive done my headlights it took me over 10+ hrs to do so. Cant rush art. Also, I have spent over $100 specifically for this group buy. Such as a new dremel, portable sander for those who wants their lens polished, various grades of sandpaper, primer paint and the other spray cans, glue, and those tiny round plates to cut open the headlights with the dremel that keeps breaking when they get worn out. I think there were other products I also purchased but cant remember them all right now. I wanted to give this opportunity to you guys regardless if I make a little cash in for myself. I will be posting JonnySVT's headlight photos very shortly so you can all see the works.
-dan
98 CSVT 484/6535,18" MI Rims,Nitto NEO GEN Tires,Pioneer DEH-P7300,Custom Cougar CIA,CF Hood,McCULLOCH HID 6K,Custom painted red calipers,Flowmaster 40s mufflers,Drilled Slot rotors,K&N 9" air filter,Brullen HiFlo Y Pipe & CAT,Magnaflow Res
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,426
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,426 |
Originally posted by splurge:
Originally posted by FreeShyne:
1.FreeShyne
2.splurge
3.wa2tuff (after Christmas/New Years)
4.
5.
6.
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10.
Any chance of getting a decent chop in Tropic Green? Heck, how about black, too? TIA
Last edited by wa2tuff; 12/17/04 07:22 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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No problem. If the lights turn out optimally, this is a great price for product considering the time and effort it takes. Good luck to you. 
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Posts: 1,610
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Joined: Dec 2002
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sounds like a great buy 
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Posts: 5,621
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All right, I will try to find some lights for temporary use, take mine off, ship them and then put 'em back again. Count me in.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,621
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,621 |
1.FreeShyne
2.splurge
3.wa2tuff (after Christmas/New Years)
4.RG (after Christmas/New Years)
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