A thought about our amber corners...

Mindgame · 09-06-2009, 08:34 PM

We all know the amber lights are an eyesore...got me thinking..
My previous car was a 98 grand prix which also had amber corner lights. A popular DIY mod on the GP forums was to take out the light housing and apply sharp force to the reflector (with say, a pick. The reflector was an individual piece resting inside the housing) which would break the reflector allowing you to break it into smaller pieces and remove it from the housing. I did this and it worked like a charm

Now before you hate on me I understand were talking about $200 lights compared to $2000 lights but if someone has more knowledge about the internals of these things than me, feel free to chime in

Totti · 09-06-2009, 10:12 PM

...Or just move to Australia

Lester · 09-06-2009, 11:31 PM

OK - you can try yours first. Let us know how it works out.

turner23 · 09-09-2009, 09:11 AM

I had the same thought. More than likely the amber color is either an adhesive or a transparent film that can be removed by taking out the headlight assembly to gain access to the inside. I wouldn't use an ice pick or any amount if force, but I would not be surprised if it's possible to achieve clear corners without spending hundreds of dollars.

If you get into it, let us know what u find.

Lester · 09-09-2009, 09:27 AM

There is no taking the assembly apart without destroying it. It is not an adhesive. The NHTSA standards include a test procedure that bakes the plastic at 300 degrees for 8 hours and it still has to maintain the pure amber color without any distortion.

SV Concepts III · 09-09-2009, 05:06 PM

The problem is that these headlights are glued together so you cannot open them without damaging the units. Your best option is to purchase euro headlights or covers. We will be introducing painted covers for these headlights very soon.

mrgoochio · 09-09-2009, 06:46 PM

cant open these headlights.. been discussed forever. you can certainly try and prove us all wrong though, thatd be nice

Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! · 09-09-2009, 07:31 PM

Are there people in europe who think "damn, I hate these clear corners!!!! I'm gonna mod my car and put in amber ones."

Does this go both ways???

ichiban · 09-09-2009, 08:13 PM

there was one. But i think someone already swooped on that swap. either that or the person changed his mind.

jibaholic101 · 09-09-2009, 09:00 PM

i dont get why everyone hates these ambers so much? i mean they arent the best looking things, but do you sit at the front of the car looking back at it while you are driving?

mrgoochio · 09-09-2009, 10:15 PM

yes i do.

zamm3k · 09-10-2009, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgoochio

yes i do.

lol

09-06-2009, 08:34 PM	#1
Mindgame Poke Her Face 27 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 09 135I Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: McKinney, TX iTrader: (0)	A thought about our amber corners... We all know the amber lights are an eyesore...got me thinking.. My previous car was a 98 grand prix which also had amber corner lights. A popular DIY mod on the GP forums was to take out the light housing and apply sharp force to the reflector (with say, a pick. The reflector was an individual piece resting inside the housing) which would break the reflector allowing you to break it into smaller pieces and remove it from the housing. I did this and it worked like a charm Now before you hate on me I understand were talking about $200 lights compared to $2000 lights but if someone has more knowledge about the internals of these things than me, feel free to chime in __________________ ///
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09-06-2009, 11:31 PM	#3
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	OK - you can try yours first. Let us know how it works out.
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09-09-2009, 09:11 AM	#4
turner23 Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 218 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	I had the same thought. More than likely the amber color is either an adhesive or a transparent film that can be removed by taking out the headlight assembly to gain access to the inside. I wouldn't use an ice pick or any amount if force, but I would not be surprised if it's possible to achieve clear corners without spending hundreds of dollars. If you get into it, let us know what u find.
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09-09-2009, 09:27 AM	#5
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	There is no taking the assembly apart without destroying it. It is not an adhesive. The NHTSA standards include a test procedure that bakes the plastic at 300 degrees for 8 hours and it still has to maintain the pure amber color without any distortion.
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09-09-2009, 05:06 PM	#6
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	The problem is that these headlights are glued together so you cannot open them without damaging the units. Your best option is to purchase euro headlights or covers. We will be introducing painted covers for these headlights very soon.
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09-09-2009, 06:46 PM	#7
mrgoochio 135i Coupe Owner! 46 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	cant open these headlights.. been discussed forever. you can certainly try and prove us all wrong though, thatd be nice __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Jet Black Sport Pkg. P1 Lemon Boston Leather High Gloss Black Trim Comfort Access System
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09-09-2009, 07:31 PM	#8
Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! Captain 34 Rep 786 Posts Drives: 09 135i, 98 M rdstr Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Are there people in europe who think "damn, I hate these clear corners!!!! I'm gonna mod my car and put in amber ones." Does this go both ways??? __________________ '09 135i 6MT : Space Grey/Black ette : Cold Weather Package : Sport Package : Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim : iPod and USB : Nav : HD radio : Premium hi-fi system
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09-09-2009, 08:13 PM	#9
ichiban Colonel 95 Rep 2,012 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	there was one. But i think someone already swooped on that swap. either that or the person changed his mind.
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09-09-2009, 09:00 PM	#10
jibaholic101 Brigadier General 162 Rep 3,496 Posts Drives: women wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	i dont get why everyone hates these ambers so much? i mean they arent the best looking things, but do you sit at the front of the car looking back at it while you are driving? __________________ some italian, german, and japanese ones; and on order more of the same
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09-09-2009, 10:15 PM	#11
mrgoochio 135i Coupe Owner! 46 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	yes i do. __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Coupe Jet Black Sport Pkg. P1 Lemon Boston Leather High Gloss Black Trim Comfort Access System
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