Our amber headlights CAN be de-ambered

[particlewave]

I was going to keep this to myself, but decided to share

As the title says...
If you've got the guts.

Pictures are easier than typing

Last pic shows what I got after 60 seconds with a Dremel and plunge router attachment set to 1.25mm.

Edit: Video showing how to open a sealed headlight after baking for 15 minutes at 225f.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqUrWnxrAeY&feature=youtu.be


Edit: picture of finished product.

[Top_Ramen]

Just as I was about to jump into bed, you post this. Off to the garage. lol

[Nine8Six]

Subscribed!!! although watching with one eye closed

[hverhulst]

Subscribed

[Mark_T]

Originally Posted by hverhulst

Subscribed

I really think a belt sander is going to be a little too aggressive for this work.

[BFeller]

Let me toss this idea out there:

Why not cut the entire amber lense off? Then attach a replacement reflector in the appropriate color? The bond to the rest of the lense would not need to be superman strong as the entire lense is supported by the housing when resealed.

[ppbon]

The less amber lenses out there ...

... the more exclusive my car becomes
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

[Perfectlap]

I've been saying Dremel for years...

Actually my idea was to just cut that part off and sell a plug and play puzzle piece just like the triangle. Of course unlike PW I thought through none of this.

[JoeSki01]

My 1998 Boxster has amber turn signals but, the turn signal area has an amber colored film over it. No where near the thickness of 1.25 mm. It is more like the thickness of a heavy tint film that would be used on a window. When running your finger pads acrross the edge you can feel the "step" up onto the film. I'm thinking this might be removed with a heat gun, only concern would be the adhesive residue. Anyone else have amber film on their headlights?

[tommy583]

Particlewave I have a drivers side headlight you can have. If you want it I will send it out to you next week. Let me know.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by JoeSki01

My 1998 Boxster has amber turn signals but, the turn signal area has an amber colored film over it. No where near the thickness of 1.25 mm. It is more like the thickness of a heavy tint film that would be used on a window. When running your finger pads acrross the edge you can feel the "step" up onto the film. I'm thinking this might be removed with a heat gun, only concern would be the adhesive residue. Anyone else have amber film on their headlights?

I'm 99% sure that what you are feeling is just the transition I posted above. It does look and feel like a film, which has confused many people over the years. Don't feel bad.

Unless someone actually put amber film on a clear lens which I'm pretty sure didn't happen
They never came from the factory that way...

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by tommy583

Particlewave I have a drivers side headlight you can have. If you want it I will send it out to you next week. Let me know.

Definitely! Thanks Tommy!

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by BFeller

Let me toss this idea out there:

Why not cut the entire amber lense off? Then attach a replacement reflector in the appropriate color? The bond to the rest of the lense would not need to be superman strong as the entire lense is supported by the housing when resealed.

I've considered this as well, but it would be a lot of work. Firstly, you would have to find a material that looks correct. Next, the piece is pretty complex shaped...it's got a compound curve. Not to mention getting a good seal between the two pieces.

Originally Posted by Mark_T

I really think a belt sander is going to be a little too aggressive for this work.

Well, this polycarbonate is pretty tough. I've gone at it with power tools before... It will be wet belt sanding though
I've also considered something like a plane, but that would be difficult also. The best way to find out is to dive right in!

[golonaus]

How about using trim router with square bit.
You can adjust how deep U want to go and will do the job quickly

[jb92563]

Hmmmmm.

Remove/cut off the entire Orange section and build a single separate LED turn signal that fits in its place
with a clear plexi lens Vacumm formed over a plug to achieve the compound lens shape.

http://inventionstudio.gatech.edu/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/FormechVacuumGuide.pdf

Very Interesting!

[Troy.Boxster]

So, while you have my headlights anyway.... ;-)

I'll be watching with great interest!

[itsnotanova]

I started to sand off the amber part with a hand orbital sander using 80 grit. I worked on it for 10 minutes but then got bored. looking at your cross section picture, maybe I just need to keep trying.

[nieuwhzn]

How thick is the whole lens? Taking off 1.25mm from something which looks to me not to be more than a couple of millimeters thick doesn't really improve the structural integrity of the piece.

Btw, thanks to Fred's advice of just sanding down the yellowed lenses with 1200 grit sandpaper, etc., etc., my headlights now look factory new again! Still contemplating the HID upgrade. Not sure if I like the modern look or the old style better. Decisions, decisions.

[particlewave]

The bulk of the lens (main portion) is 3mm thick. The turn signal area is just over 6mm thick, so plenty of room for error (not that I make mistakes )

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by ppbon

The less amber lenses out there ...

... the more exclusive my car becomes

It's a good thing that this is not an issue, seeing as how there are more amber headlights on the market than people know what to do with because no one wants them except Pedro, lol!