Did the "black e-specs" trick

[Evert]

Originally Posted by windy_mx6

nice work on the e-specs mate, i'd like to see a how-to on that seeing as I have a load in the shed.

Still got a set for sale at $225 shipped if anyone wants to upgrade to some "real" lights from the crap a-specs you have.

In exitement of doing this I forgot to take pictures but basically I took the lenses off by heating the glue with heat gun @300C. Just had to be sure not to heat one spot too long and point it more on glass than plastic. After a while I started to pry the glass off from one corner, at the same time heating the glue where it was still attached.
When the lens was off I removed the bezel (3 screws) and scuffed it with 400 grit paper (finer grit would be better). Maybe I should have primered it but I didn't, just sprayed with regular Duplicolor gloss black. So far it hasn't peeled or faded etc. Assembly was in reverse order. First heated the glass in oven so when it would touch the glue it'll turn soft, then after putting the headlamp back together applied pressure on the connection until glue cooled down again. I was a bit sloppy there and later had to redo the seams with silicone.

Originally Posted by windy_mx6

I'm interested in doing the dials mod, would you recommend me getting a length of WHITE EL neon wire rather than stripping another colour? I can get hold of 2.3mm easy enough, is that too think?

The wire I used was 2.3mm before I stripped it. It fit fine, exept plastic tabs had some trouble holding the gauge cluster together afterwards. Only reason I stripped mine was that it was purple and I'm not a fan of that color.
If you get white wire (which probably has a clear top sleeve) the brightness should be about the same as mine. If you get any other color the light will be dimmer.

[windy_mx6]

I put mine in the oven to get the lenses off, worked a treat.

might give this a go as i'm picking up a set at the weekend plus I have some smashed lights here already so I could have a look at possibilities

[Evert]

This is how I made black turnsignals.








I re-heated the glue before putting the lens back.

[Chefsp0t]

Man you should have knocked out that amber housing while you were in there. The amber totally kills the look of your corner lights.

[Stealth]

What amber housing. Thats the bulb you silly chef.

I did the orange tinted inner lens on mine and I loved it. but I also like amber coners instead of clear.

[Chefsp0t]

Espec corner lights have an amber housing that covers the bulb. The corners I sold had the amber part removed.

[Evert]

I thought about removing the amber caps but chose not to. Their reflection keeps the clear part in turnsignals in minimum. Smoked caps would be ideal.