Headlight Painting '95

**Spikito** · 01-16-2008, 10:45 PM

Ive got my green 95, and the black paint around the headlights is starting to bubble, you can see the yellow, its actually pretty porous, i think its from the heat of the bulbs.

I was wondering if theres a simple way to repaint them, as in, tape off the bumper, hood, and bulbs and use some spray paint. Im not looking to go all professional on it, just something to look better.

If so, what kind of paint should i use, do i need to rough up the surface or sand it completely down? all that good stuff

**LETHALxLS1** · 01-16-2008, 11:08 PM

I would take the lights out and sand the part needing repainted and repaint with some high temperature engine paint.

**Spikito** · 01-17-2008, 02:52 PM

The only prob is that my lights have the stupid allen bolt with the peg in the middle, i dont have the tool to remove them. ill try to post some pics later

**Y2KPewterSS** · 01-17-2008, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Spikito

The only prob is that my lights have the stupid allen bolt with the peg in the middle, i dont have the tool to remove them. ill try to post some pics later

Not exactly familiar with the LT1 lights, but could you not tape off the allen bolt with the peg?

**Spikito** · 01-17-2008, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Y2KPewterSS

Not exactly familiar with the LT1 lights, but could you not tape off the allen bolt with the peg?

Oops, i should have quoted him, the LT1 bulbs have that allen bolt on top, im guessing its some kind of security issue. not suprising once you see how expensive they are. But what i was saying is that i cant remove my bulbs to repaint since i dont have the tool.

**LETHALxLS1** · 01-17-2008, 07:23 PM

Will you not need the tool one day if a bulb goes out anyways?

**Spikito** · 01-17-2008, 07:40 PM

One went out right after i bought the car, i went to a firestone place and replaced it. cops kept messing with me, and it was right next to where i worked, a replacement bulb was 80 or 85, and they only charged $20 for labor. But if i can ever find one of those tools ill buy one

**LETHALxLS1** · 01-18-2008, 11:26 AM

^ daaaaaaaaaam the bulbs are expensive as hell!

**blindxeyed** · 01-20-2008, 11:20 AM

I can't believe you paid $100 to have your bulb changed out!

Go to an auto parts store, you can find a whole set of those allen bits for between $10-$20 . Not alot of money to invest to save paying labor in the future to have someone else change the bulbs. You can also buy new bulbs there for around $25.

**LETHALxLS1** · 01-20-2008, 12:18 PM

I always thought the bulbs were standard- $80-$85.00 for a bulb is harsh-then they charged the man another $20.00 - OUCH! I would compare that to a trip to Dr. Goldfingers office for a exam and him saying "Sorry we just ran out of lube" or in the middle of the exam feeling his hands on your shoulders.

**robert 98** · 01-20-2008, 01:21 PM

I had a 95 and I know what allen wrench you are talking about, I got a whole set of them at auto-zone for around ten dollars if I remember correctly, funny thing is after I got em and strated to replace my headlight I realized that the allen screws with the pin in the center didn't have to come out to change the lamp out anyway, they look like they would but they dont,

**Spikito** · 01-20-2008, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by blindxeyed

I can't believe you paid $100 to have your bulb changed out!

Go to an auto parts store, you can find a whole set of those allen bits for between $10-$20 . Not alot of money to invest to save paying labor in the future to have someone else change the bulbs. You can also buy new bulbs there for around $25.

On the 93-97 you cant just replace the bulb, its a "sealed beam", i had to replace the whole lamp.

**blindxeyed** · 01-20-2008, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Spikito

On the 93-97 you cant just replace the bulb, its a "sealed beam", i had to replace the whole lamp.

Yes, as is the same with my Firebird. Only takes about 5 minutes to swap them out. You can buy the whole lamp at an auto parts store.

**Spikito** · 01-20-2008, 11:01 PM

But i didnt pay $100 to get it changed, i paid $80 for the bulb, and $20 to get it changed. The place i went to didnt have the bulbs in stock, they had to order it from a parts store, and gave it to me at that price, just charged me labor. Ive been looking around and cant find new bulbs much cheaper

**blindxeyed** · 01-20-2008, 11:17 PM

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=301&PTSet=A

Click the link (sorry mods if I'm not allowed to post that), put in your ZIP. The price I am getting is $24.88 for one sealed beam lamp. Simple enough to install yourself so that you shouldn't have to pay any labor to have it installed. Sorry man, but you got ripped. Just trying to help you save some money next time.

**LETHALxLS1** · 01-21-2008, 12:45 PM

^ Thats a good man right there. On another note- anytime a garage gets parts they always add a percentage on to it. I remember a few years ago before I found the awsome mechanic I have now-I took my car to a place that claimed they only charged $35 bucks an hour labor and you could bring your own parts. I found out quickly they really didnt want me bringing my own parts because they made alot of money adding that percentage to parts they ordered for you. They felt the need to bang you up the ass for simply making a call and telling a parts store to send a part over via delivery guy.

**Spikito** · 01-21-2008, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by blindxeyed

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=301&PTSet=A

Click the link (sorry mods if I'm not allowed to post that), put in your ZIP. The price I am getting is $24.88 for one sealed beam lamp. Simple enough to install yourself so that you shouldn't have to pay any labor to have it installed. Sorry man, but you got ripped. Just trying to help you save some money next time.

thanks, ill def remember this site

**bigrondownhiller** · 01-22-2008, 12:38 PM

Is there an autobody paint supply place near you? You could use regular paint but if it flexes it will flake off eventually. You need paint that has a flex additive in it.