I've wanted to paint the light buckets body color ever since I first saw the mustang. I've asked on several forums but no one has done this yet. Today, I found a fellow mustang owner that actually did it.

He bought a spare set of light buckets just in case. First, he removed the light buckets and the lights.. He then pried the front plastic lens off. This was very difficult as it is glued on very securely. He then had a body shop shoot the light bucket.

He used the original lens and cut a round light filter to fit behind the light bucket and in front of the lamp to protect the bulb and then he put everything back together.

He still has his two original lights and is offering to do this as a service for anyone interested. He says he would charge $1000 with a $200 refundable core charge. After he receives payment, he will ship out his set painted. When the client receives it, they would install the new buckets and then return theirs. As soon as he receives them, he will refund the $200 core charge.

Here is a picture of his car. It was late tonight, so it was dark and the picture did not come out that good. The car looks much better then this. If anyone is interested, PM or email me and I will forward you his contact info.

 

$800 final price for painted light buckets? That's just nuts!

Oh, and you forgot the picture.

 

The painted buckets look great!

I would love to see more pics.

 

I thought the price was a bit high also. I think I might try it myself first, but I promised him I would put a post up and see if anyone is interested.

It was late tonight and the pictures were not coming out that great. I got his phone number so I'll see if I can hook up with him a bit earlier and get some better pictures.

He said the price was based on the amount of labor and how long it took him to complete the job. I told him that if he heated the lights in a parts oven first it might soften the glue and make the removal of the lens easier. Also, if you put the lens back on, it would protect the lenses and also take less time.

 

Thanks for the pic and desciption. I too have been wanting to do this since the first '05 pictures were released. I also think his price is too high.

I'm not sure I understand this part
I would love to see more pics if you get up with him. Maybe I'd understand it better if I saw it.

Maybe one day, I'll get up the nerve to buy an extra set and give it a try.

 

I think what he is saying ( if I am seeing the picture correctly ) is he didn't get the lens cover back on the light bucket, so he cut out a round piece from the lens cover and put it over the bulb housing, thus making it look like an old school headlight. Or at least that is how it looks to me in the picture. If that is the case, not only is he charging WAY too much, he is fuggin' up your headlights. I prefer the architecture of them the way they are.

 

Mine came from the factory w/ body color light buckets!


Funny, I never noticed the non-black Mustangs had black light bucket. Thanks for bringing that up

Maybe another example of one of the things that make black look so different than other colors; all the trim matches by default.

 

$1000???

That's just nuts. If I wanted to invest $1000 in revised headlight buckets, it would be Saleen's HID setup. I think they're on the high side too, but at least you're getting a perfomance enhancement for the large cash outlay.

 

That's one of the biggest reasons why I get black cars. The side mirrors match too. B)

 

I know some of the SEMA cars were already set up like this.... are none of those companies manufacturing these? I agree.... $1000 is too much. I understand he's got to recover his time and make a little profit, but that's why it's cheaper to go with someone who can mass produce.

 

1000 dollars is ridiculas. I also thought about the same mod by buying some old buckets off e-bay and having a shop do it. Also thought about doing what CDC did with thiers where they used a Jaguar headlight. I know he needs to recoup the cost but if he brought the price down alot I'd be interested. I mean a 1000 bucks is alot of mods.

 

Looks cool but way too expensive for this type of mod in my opinion.

 

I remember reading a few months ago that if you put the headlight assembly in the oven for a while (low heat, don't know what temp) it softens up the adhesive and makes the lens easier to get off. I think it was a discussion about one of the cars at the SEMA show last year that had done this, Redfire if I remember correctly.

I'm also surprised there aren't replacement kits out there with painted buckets, or buckets without the lexan cover installed. $1000 (or 800 after core charge) is way too much though.

 

:scratch: A thousand bucks...Whew.

I think I would get an extra pair of headlight assembly from Saleen Take Off Parts for $150.00 and paint them

 

$150? That is SOOO tempting.

 

I love that look but it is way too pricy

 

Thanks for that link. I just ordered a set. I figured I'd try it and see how it came out before I pull mine off the car. I'm going to try the trick someone suggested about preheating it in the oven, although, with my baking skills I'll probably wind up with a very expensive blob of plastic and a foul stench in the house.

I'll take pictures during the project and post them.

 

Keep the temp down low. Start out around 200 then move up if that doesn't work.
Before the oven you may try a soldering iron if you have one.

Any ideas on how you're going to reseal the covers?

Ask around on here for suggestions on removing and resealing. Maybe someone can come up with something else.

Can't WAIT to see the results. No. Nevermind. Don't show me. Then I'll have to try it too.

 

Honda owners have been doing this for years, and there are a few write-ups on how. Here are the important parts pulled from one of them:

1. Remove the headlight from the car and remove any rubber hoses that may be attached.
2. Preheat oven to 200F. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
3. Place headlight on cookie sheet and place in oven. Make sure the headlight is not touching any part of the oven or it will melt.
4. Set a timer for 10-13 minutes (it should be safe for 15 minutes, but not longer).
5. Remove the headlight from the oven with pot holders (it will be hot).
6. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the cover.
7. Once all the parts are apart, paint what you want.
8. After painting, put the headlight back together as best as you can. Place the headlight back into the oven at 200F for 10-13 minutes.
9. Remove the headlight from the oven and squish the cover onto the bucket to eliminate the air bubbles in the glue. Use oven mitts.
10. Place a small bead of clear silicone caulk all the way around the seal where the factory glue is to help keep moisture out.
11. Put the headlight back into the car.

 

Thanks for these instructions, they were very detailed.

The headlight buckets came in yesterday and I put in them in the oven at 210 for 15 minutes. I tried to pry the covers off but they would not budge. I accidentally broke the little tabs on 2 spots. Put the buckets in the oven for another 20 minutes and tried again. No dice. These things won't budge.

Rich, the guy at the car show that did it said he wound up cutting the covers off and then using the covers to make a round lens and glued that infront of the lamp.

I think I would rather take the cover off in one piece and then reseal the buckets after they are painted.

Has anyone else tried this. I'm wandering what kind of success any of you are having.