Updating 996 headlights
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Updating 996 headlights
A few weeks ago I saw a video about using a magnet and microfibre with metal to clean inside of headlight. Well, I screwed up the chrome in the headlight. Expensive lesson learned.
I found a guy on kijiji (like craigslist) selling 996 parts. I asked if he had a headlight. He didn’t but mentioned that he can get the headlight refinished in whatever way I want. He sends me a pic of an example:
Although 996.1, I was impressed. I always liked what was done in another thread here on rennlist with blackening the headlights. I didn’t have the ***** to open the headlights on my own to do this. So, when these guys reached out, I thought right away that maybe this accident could be a good thing. Now, I am in Canada. Finding people that do this type of stuff is always problematic.
i popped the headlights out and drove them over. Only 20 minutes away.
Couple days later, he sent me pics of the light taken apart
then of the dechroming
We had a discussion around the high beam and signal reflectors. His preference was all black. The look I was going for was to have it look in such a way people would wonder if it was an option. I recommended keeping the reflectors both chrome. He said he would paint out the light and leave the reflectors chrome and mock it up before finishing and sealing the headlights.
Here is the mock up:
I cannot express how happy I am with this job. Waiting for the paint to fully off gas before sealing the lights.
I will post once they are on the car!
LMK if you have any questions.
I found a guy on kijiji (like craigslist) selling 996 parts. I asked if he had a headlight. He didn’t but mentioned that he can get the headlight refinished in whatever way I want. He sends me a pic of an example:
Although 996.1, I was impressed. I always liked what was done in another thread here on rennlist with blackening the headlights. I didn’t have the ***** to open the headlights on my own to do this. So, when these guys reached out, I thought right away that maybe this accident could be a good thing. Now, I am in Canada. Finding people that do this type of stuff is always problematic.
i popped the headlights out and drove them over. Only 20 minutes away.
Couple days later, he sent me pics of the light taken apart
then of the dechroming
We had a discussion around the high beam and signal reflectors. His preference was all black. The look I was going for was to have it look in such a way people would wonder if it was an option. I recommended keeping the reflectors both chrome. He said he would paint out the light and leave the reflectors chrome and mock it up before finishing and sealing the headlights.
Here is the mock up:
I cannot express how happy I am with this job. Waiting for the paint to fully off gas before sealing the lights.
I will post once they are on the car!
LMK if you have any questions.
#3
Looks awesome man! I’m in Vancouver - can you get me the contact for your guy who does this work? I’d love to get my headlights redone as well. On another note, I’m hoping porsche or another company will manufacture a new black headlight option for 996 owners.. I think there’s a ton of demand since a lot of us need new headlights. Thanks!
#6
A few weeks ago I saw a video about using a magnet and microfibre with metal to clean inside of headlight. Well, I screwed up the chrome in the headlight. Expensive lesson learned.
I found a guy on kijiji (like craigslist) selling 996 parts. I asked if he had a headlight. He didn’t but mentioned that he can get the headlight refinished in whatever way I want. He sends me a pic of an example:
Although 996.1, I was impressed. I always liked what was done in another thread here on rennlist with blackening the headlights. I didn’t have the ***** to open the headlights on my own to do this. So, when these guys reached out, I thought right away that maybe this accident could be a good thing. Now, I am in Canada. Finding people that do this type of stuff is always problematic.
i popped the headlights out and drove them over. Only 20 minutes away.
Couple days later, he sent me pics of the light taken apart
then of the dechroming
We had a discussion around the high beam and signal reflectors. His preference was all black. The look I was going for was to have it look in such a way people would wonder if it was an option. I recommended keeping the reflectors both chrome. He said he would paint out the light and leave the reflectors chrome and mock it up before finishing and sealing the headlights.
Here is the mock up:
I cannot express how happy I am with this job. Waiting for the paint to fully off gas before sealing the lights.
I will post once they are on the car!
LMK if you have any questions.
I found a guy on kijiji (like craigslist) selling 996 parts. I asked if he had a headlight. He didn’t but mentioned that he can get the headlight refinished in whatever way I want. He sends me a pic of an example:
Although 996.1, I was impressed. I always liked what was done in another thread here on rennlist with blackening the headlights. I didn’t have the ***** to open the headlights on my own to do this. So, when these guys reached out, I thought right away that maybe this accident could be a good thing. Now, I am in Canada. Finding people that do this type of stuff is always problematic.
i popped the headlights out and drove them over. Only 20 minutes away.
Couple days later, he sent me pics of the light taken apart
then of the dechroming
We had a discussion around the high beam and signal reflectors. His preference was all black. The look I was going for was to have it look in such a way people would wonder if it was an option. I recommended keeping the reflectors both chrome. He said he would paint out the light and leave the reflectors chrome and mock it up before finishing and sealing the headlights.
Here is the mock up:
I cannot express how happy I am with this job. Waiting for the paint to fully off gas before sealing the lights.
I will post once they are on the car!
LMK if you have any questions.
#7
Rennlist Member
Just what a dark 996 needs. I've wanted to do this from day one!
Trending Topics
#8
Rennlist Member
That's a really interesting concept. I'd like to see different mockups with different parts blacked out, like maybe to leave the oval chrome and black out everything else to accentuate the round part of the lights. If feel like with the entire thing blacked out it's almost too much darkness.
#9
That is for me, the best option for those willing to have the "round lights" look
In the picture with the white plastic, if you paint only the glossy surface around the holes in the same color of the car, you will have the best approach ever seen to that round look, but without those (for me) uggly covers.
In the picture with the white plastic, if you paint only the glossy surface around the holes in the same color of the car, you will have the best approach ever seen to that round look, but without those (for me) uggly covers.
#10
Rennlist Member
That is for me, the best option for those willing to have the "round lights" look
In the picture with the white plastic, if you paint only the glossy surface around the holes in the same color of the car, you will have the best approach ever seen to that round look, but without those (for me) uggly covers.
In the picture with the white plastic, if you paint only the glossy surface around the holes in the same color of the car, you will have the best approach ever seen to that round look, but without those (for me) uggly covers.
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
That is for me, the best option for those willing to have the "round lights" look
In the picture with the white plastic, if you paint only the glossy surface around the holes in the same color of the car, you will have the best approach ever seen to that round look, but without those (for me) uggly covers.
In the picture with the white plastic, if you paint only the glossy surface around the holes in the same color of the car, you will have the best approach ever seen to that round look, but without those (for me) uggly covers.
If I wanted a 997, I would have bought a 997. I think the plainer interior of the 996 and the fact that it comes with a spare tire were the reasons I chose a 996. A 997 was less than 10% more.
#15
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter