damaged headlight repair?

[V]

First off, this is for a CTS headlight, not an f body, just so we are all on the same page.

Its a common issue that the outer edge of the headlights degrade over time and from UV rays. It leaves a rough dull texture.

to be honest the whole lens could use help...

questions is, how can i go about making these lights look better?

at first i got vinyl eyelids which cover the very top and those looked good, but now i see the sides more and i want them 100%.
now im making custom complete vinyl surrounds to hide it more, but i wont be happy with that for long either.

new lights are 1000-1200 EACH so those are out of the question.

i know i could sand and polish them, thats option 1.

however that leads me to option 2... sand polish BUT paint the outer edge to match the color of the car. If i do that could i clear coat the whole light? like the lens part that wouldnt be painted maroon.

ill post pics tomorrow



this auction sells the complete vinyl surrounds and show pics of typical damage. issue it he only sells gray or gloss black. i want flat black or matching red.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cadil...Q5fAccessories




OR

do i buy aftermarket replacement lights for a base CTS and pop the lenses off and cut them to fit my lights?

[maroman88]

painting would deff be cool! but id pick up the full vinyl surrounds first to make sure u def like the look before painting such an expensive light

[Jersey Mike]

Originally Posted by V

First off, this is for a CTS headlight, not an f body, just so we are all on the same page.

Its a common issue that the outer edge of the headlights degrade over time and from UV rays. It leaves a rough dull texture.

to be honest the whole lens could use help...

questions is, how can i go about making these lights look better?

at first i got vinyl eyelids which cover the very top and those looked good, but now i see the sides more and i want them 100%.
now im making custom complete vinyl surrounds to hide it more, but i wont be happy with that for long either.

new lights are 1000-1200 EACH so those are out of the question.

yup, they cost about a grand each. A lot of dealers would replace them under warranty or as a favor for the owners, since it was such a common problem. Try that route if possible; I guarantee you won't be the first CTS owner to go to your dealership with this problem or request.

i know i could sand and polish them, thats option 1.

however that leads me to option 2... sand polish BUT paint the outer edge to match the color of the car. If i do that could i clear coat the whole light? like the lens part that wouldnt be painted maroon.

ill post pics tomorrow

you could do that. I'm not sure if Caleigh is still a sponsor or not but you could hit up 8th Day Creations or Gothicaleigh on cadillacowners.com and see if she still has the eyelid kits available for the gray perimeter of the headlights.

OR

do i buy aftermarket replacement lights for a base CTS and pop the lenses off and cut them to fit my lights?

negative. Since 03 when the CTS came out only one person has successfully painted the insides of the headlights; everyone else ended up ruining a headlight.




You have nothing to lose by taking it to the dealer; if that doesn't work, keep an eye out on ebay for a cheap replacement, as it's your best bet--but know that it's a recurring problem, unless you can keep them from UV exposure.

[NastyEllEssWon]

toothpaste and a toothbrush polishes headlights right up

[V]

Originally Posted by Maroman88

painting would deff be cool! but id pick up the full vinyl surrounds first to make sure u def like the look before painting such an expensive light

I made some myself, not perfect but better that 45+shipping. I like the painted look on the black cars, not sure how it would look matched to my color red.

Jersey Mike... im on cadillacowners.com (oh5v) and i have 8thday creations eyelids now, and ive been in touch with the guy making the overlays, but he doesnt make matte/flat black yet.

And with popping the lens, if anyone could do it, its me. Im serious. Im just not sure if i wanna attempt it since i cant have my car down for the time i would take to do it.

im gonna try dealerships and see what they say, maybe i can get it done under the 6year/100k mile corrosion coverage thing. Or like you said, as a favor.

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

toothpaste and a toothbrush polishes headlights right up

I think im way beyond that.

Here are pics of my lights.
I made the vinyl overlay for the driver side out of some matte black wrap I had laying around from my radio install project.(im gonna make the pass side today)
Dont mind the mess of bugs on the bumper, i need to wash the car tomorrow.

[Jersey Mike]

Unless there have been some changes, i'm pretty sure Caleigh @ 8th Day is a chick

I'd say VHT them like Chef's car, but I'm not sure what it'll look like on Redline V.


photoshop opp

[V]

Originally Posted by Jersey Mike

Unless there have been some changes, i'm pretty sure Caleigh @ 8th Day is a chick

8thday isnt the one making the full surrounds as far as i know, its the same guy who has that ebay link i posted earlier.

and yea, i dunno how vht ones would look on my redline V


edit: this is the one idea i had for painting the surround...
after doing this chop (with MSpaint), i dunno if id like it either.

[V]

I got both sides done now with the matte black vinyl overlay... but i still dont know if i like it.... I think when i get some time, i may try to sand/polish them and have them stock looking.

Also, i may look into getting aftermarket replacement lights for a base CTS, and cutting out the Washer section and then running an aftermarket HID setup(i have spares now) in the projector housing. May be the best solution. Plus that way, my headlights will match the color of my HID fogs.

Also, im working on making new clear fogs/turn signals with projector lenses the be able to aim the fogs.

[Whiplash Performance]

Paul, a guy who restores headlights just moved into the complex where my office is.
I'll show him the pictures of your headlights see if he could do anything with them for you and how much it would cost.

[Blacdout96]

keep em black, dont paint/get color match vinyl to match the car, looks like crap.

[V]

Originally Posted by Whiplash Performance

Paul, a guy who restores headlights just moved into the complex where my office is.
I'll show him the pictures of your headlights see if he could do anything with them for you and how much it would cost.

yes please do, thank you.

Originally Posted by Blacdout96

keep em black, dont paint/get color match vinyl to match the car, looks like crap.

dont worry. i agree, the color matched on a red car looks horrible.




Im even considering buying other used lights like mine, cost 50-150 bucks each and seeing if i can pop the lens off, if so, id buy a base headlight new, 140.. and swap lenses.

[V]

it could look into tinting the front lights too...
i was at one time considering a scheme like this...

[Jersey Mike]

^^ I like that idea

[Blacdout96]

Holy **** hat's sick. Are those stock rims just painted int hat pic?

[V]

Originally Posted by Blacdout96

Holy **** hat's sick. Are those stock rims just painted int hat pic?

Basically, powdercoated I think.