Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics How-to: Bake open headlights

So all the trash talking about this really doesnt apply huh. If it can be done correctly, like pete just did, there is no spidering... cracking... ?

I may just be doing this, this weekend...

Does anyone know if using clearcoat lacquer is safe on the headlights?

All the headlights I've done this on are older (from 98's). I've also done this successfully on my 94 SHO. The newest model car I've seen this being done on in person was my friends 00 Civic. He bought the car new off of the lot and when he had 8k on the car he did this mod as well. He never had any cracking, spidering, or any melting issues. Take that as you want, but I can't imagine there are two many differences in the lenses covers of your average car headlight. Now from an engineering asspect, yes, they are different plastics out there with different properties, different manufactures, different sealants, etc. and they all play a roll in how heating up the headlights will effect it. But all I am saying is that there have been many applications out there that this has been performed on and I know of no negative side effects if done correctly.

Just out of curiosity, what did you take your 94 SHO headlights apart for? I've got a 93 with some hazing headlights, and would consider doing something different with them if there's a decent option. You can PM me if you'd rather.

Mark

They were leaking. Moisture kept on getting trapped inside and it looked like crap.

Nothing really to cool to do with those cars. I know of one guy that installed projectors and put HID light in his car. Looked a little wierd but definately stylish and different. The only real straight forward and easy mod is the 'fish bowl' mod. Where you remove the inner (pointless) empty headlight pieces and drill holes in the back of them and install running/parking lights. Makes them appear to be more like the Mustang style headlights. Looks pretty cool and doesn't really cost a whole lot either.

SHO's are fast cars, but have many many problems from my experiance. They have all of the little annoying issues just like the Contour's. The major one is the damn EGR system. The down pipes to the rear exhaust manifold is worthless. The often get holes in them and you can't replace it from the dealerships as Ford no longer makes parts for those cars. Good luck finding it in a junkyard as well. Best sources for any parts is www.shotimes.com or www.shoforum.com or me. I still have a lot of spare parts laying around from my 94 ATX.

Just for info puirposes, i did this on my 93 protege 2 years ago, and i did absolutely nohtin to the headlight at all, and the plastic ousing didnt take any damage, and i gurantee u that the protege headlight is alot worse than the contour headlight for yellowing.

I wanted to do it to my contour, but i read abou all this stuff happening and blah i honestly didnt believe it. But nice to see it can be done, cutting it seems like a bit too much work. Cant wait to go out to the pullpart, adn try this out..
Before - when i first got the car

2 years later...:)