[tonto247]

Ok I am not going to paint my whole headlight, just the ring. It is metal so do I just sand it with 600 and can I paint it with the same paint I used on the other chrome or is there a different process since it is metal????

 

[immortal.inc]

I did exactly the opposite and painted the back part but not the front.

I just cleaned it really well with a degreaser and sprayed it. I only did it like a month ago though so I can't tell ya how well its held up yet, I didn't get any scratches or anything from reinstalling and it looks like it came that way stock.

Someone else may know what is "correct" to do, I am sure there is a lot better process than what I did.

 

[Raven]

I painted the whole thing. The back is plastic and the front ring is metal. Sand it, clean it really well, and make sure to use primer. I did not and it is flaking/chipping really easily. Gonna have to strip it and do it all over again. I used Krylon Dual. Supposed to be primer and paint all in one. It doesn't hold up well. I'm going to use enamel paint this time. It should hold up a lot better.

 

[tonto247]

I painted the whole thing. The back is plastic and the front ring is metal. Sand it, clean it really well, and make sure to use primer. I did not and it is flaking/chipping really easily. Gonna have to strip it and do it all over again. I used Krylon Dual. Supposed to be primer and paint all in one. It doesn't hold up well. I'm going to use enamel paint this time. It should hold up a lot better.

Yeah when I did my plastic chrome pieces I actually sanded with 600 grit and used an adhesion promoter before painting them black. so far holding up really well. Will let yall know how the metal ring goes when I get it done.

 

[Natedog]

When I painted my stock headlight I sanded the hole thing down to the copper layer or even the raw plastic, then used Krylon Fusion on the whole thing. It held up quite well. Be very careful when re-assembling the two pieces afterwards since it requires some elbow grease and I actually nicked mine

I painted my new headlight which is aluminium. Used a self etching primer this time then an acrylic lacquer base as well as an acrylic lacquer clear coat.

1. Sand with 400 grit to roughed the surface.
2. Clean well and let dry
3. Apply 2-3 coats of primer as per instructions on can
4. Lightly sand with 400
5. Clean well and let dry
6. Apply 2-3 base coats as per instructions on can
7. Allow proper amount of time for curing (VERY IMPORTANT) different amounts for different types of paint.
8. Lightly sand with 400
9. Clean well and let dry
10. Apply min 3-4 clear coats. (You Don't want to be stingy here)
11. Allow proper amount of time for curing (VERY IMPORTANT) different amounts for different types of paint.
12. Lightly sand with 1000 to smooth out the rougher areas
13. Lightly sand with 2000 until the finish looks "flat"
14. Apply a rubbing compound of your choice and buff to a "wet shine"

 

[stryker11]

How easy is it to remove the headlight assembly? Looking to take mine off and paint the rear section paint!!!!

 

[tahoeprisoner]

The headlight definitely looks better black. I'm going to do the same thing to the speedo bezel also! Thanks for the step by step Natedog!

 

[Raven]

How easy is it to remove the headlight assembly? Looking to take mine off and paint the rear section paint!!!!

Its easy to remove...not so easy to put back....gotta cram all the wires and plugs in there

 

[Frag]

When I painted my stock headlight I sanded the hole thing down to the copper layer or even the raw plastic, then used Krylon Fusion on the whole thing. It held up quite well. Be very careful when re-assembling the two pieces afterwards since it requires some elbow grease and I actually nicked mine

I painted my new headlight which is aluminium. Used a self etching primer this time then an acrylic lacquer base as well as an acrylic lacquer clear coat.

1. Sand with 400 grit to roughed the surface.
2. Clean well and let dry
3. Apply 2-3 coats of primer as per instructions on can
4. Lightly sand with 400
5. Clean well and let dry
6. Apply 2-3 base coats as per instructions on can
7. Allow proper amount of time for curing (VERY IMPORTANT) different amounts for different types of paint.
8. Lightly sand with 400
9. Clean well and let dry
10. Apply min 3-4 clear coats. (You Don't want to be stingy here)
11. Allow proper amount of time for curing (VERY IMPORTANT) different amounts for different types of paint.
12. Lightly sand with 1000 to smooth out the rougher areas
13. Lightly sand with 2000 until the finish looks "flat"
14. Apply a rubbing compound of your choice and buff to a "wet shine"

I did the job in a similar way few weeks ago with amazing result.

 

[Okda]

How to clean after sanding?

Just running tape water for example is enough?

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Natedog]

I use regular dish soap and water. I also wear latex gloves whenever I handle the part. A tack cloth is handy ... I wonder if a swiffer would work just as well?

 

[tonto247]

some of the swiffers I have used have some kind of film on them. Used one on the bike one time and had to go back and re clean it.