GDSpeed

Whats up MT,

So with spring around the corner (and the itch to complete yet another little Miata project), I really want to update the look of my headlights.

I'm hoping to find someone locally (I'm in northern Virginia) who has some experience in painting NB headlight housings. I'd do it myself, but a)I'd rather have someone who's done it before successfully have a go and more importantly b)I'm pretty sure my family would kill me if they found me baking car parts in the kitchen.

I'm a poor college student so I couldn't pay you megabucks for the job, but if a sixer of your favorite brew could constitute "payment", that could work

This is the look I'm going for - gunmetal finish and removed orange insert:




If you're able and willing to help, let me know! Thanks

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

y8s?

GDSpeed

Thanks, I saw his NB2 housings elsewhere on here. I'll shoot him a PM.

BTW, you're in Chantilly? Me too - near Lees Corner and the country club

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I'm near the hs, so just down street

GDSpeed

Well then, heres to (hopefully) some actual snow this week . I don't drive the Miata much but if you ever head to Fair Lakes Cars & Coffee I'm planning on hitting up a few this spring. Its also a pretty great drive south to the CDC auto/x at Hylton HS so I plan to do that too. I'll keep my ears open for the sound of boost.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I've driven by it twice now and failed to stop in aug/sept I just moved out back this way and didnt know about it. I thought something was suspicious when i saw like 70's era Porchses pull out of the Kohls shopping center, then I noticed a bunch of other ferraris and what not.

I has wrx to have fun in snow wed.

If you do any autox, let me know and I'll sign up as well and school you like a boss.

GDSpeed

lol, will do. We'd probably both be schooled by Jared's turbo NB though - he runs up there with the FFR cobras


I dd a Jeep (15mpg no matter how I drive it...thats good, right?) that I put some grabber A/T's on in preparation for the coming return of the snowpocalypse that has yet to happen. I tried funsies in the Foxfield pool parking lot - it wasn't having it

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

but mine sounds betteR:







ugh this video reminds me i still need to do something about my brake bias.... BLAH. I acutally dont think I've autoxed since that aobve video in 2009 and that was on shitty konis that made it hard to turn, a larger turbo that robbed all low-end, an IM that robbed all low-end and a blown motor, that, robbed all low-end.

Dot3

iTrader: (1)

Just go but a cheap heat gun. You don't need to bake your headlights to pull them apart. Then pull the shroud and paint it.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

I'm happy to help but

a) my time is seriously limited

and

b) it's super easy to do on your own.

I forget if I found a thread here or on miata.net but search around for "painting nb housings" and you'll see it's pretty easy. Heat gun might be overkill and potentially dangerous to the plastic, but hair dryer would work in a pinch.

I did mine in the oven and it was ok.

GDSpeed

Scott - Looks like a few Hylton events are happening in July - cue inspirational comeback music!

Dot3 - did you use a gun on yours? I read some accounts that said it was more difficult, as the oven provides even heat distribution while the gun isn't as user friendly.

y8s - thanks, I found some more write-ups and it is indeed not hard. I guess I was more concerned with hurting the oven more than anything, but it seems like its the way to go.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

you won't harm anything. follow my instructions in stickied thread and stop being a vagina

Dot3

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I've done nb2 and nb1 housings like that. Didn't have any issues. If you do use a heat gun don't leave it on one spot for very long because it will start to melt. I just go around it a few times then it comes right off. Oven works but I prefer to use a heat gun.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Heat gun is terrible and way bigger chance of messing up. Also takes forever. Everyone I know that tried the heat gun kicked themselves later for not using the oven

Dot3

iTrader: (1)

I didn't mess up and took me like 2-3 min. I also don't trust throwing headlights in the oven I use to cook with.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

why is that?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I baked my altima's headlights once to the remove the orange reflectors out of them...I let one stay in too long and it kinda warped the housing so I had to silicone rtv it sealed again.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I dont actively autox, and only like to go when I have others to hang out with, so let me know if you're signing up to an event and I will as well.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

congrats

you are 'tarded



Seriously, it takes talent to screw em up

Also you need to paint your gaybaru ones

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

i think it was mainly when I was prying the tabs open coupled with the heat, when they cooled off, they warped a bit.

it was just one, and it wasnt a big deal.


I dont wanna F with the subby, no point.


what would i even paint? the black, white?