Adventures in DIY, headlight edition

"RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire" (ricerocketeer2) 12/16/2013 at 03:42 • Filed to: None

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I recently installed new headlights. They're aftermarket and others have reported leaks and lens hazing so I sealed the seams with silicone and applied Lamin-X protective film to the lens. As you can tell from the quality of sealant application, my DIY skills aren't the greatest. I could ruin LEGO.

So it's no surprise that I screwed up the lens film as well. It's like applying a screen protector to your phone, except the surface is convex and curves in 3D. And just like screen protector screw-ups, I got air bubbles underneath the film. I figured I'd have to pop 'em later.

Fast forward a week, and they're gone. Huh? The film looks perfect — no bubbles or wrinkles to speak of. I'm almost tempted to try this on another car ...

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 12/16/2013 at 03:49

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it's normal to have a few bubbles in the film, you just need to worry about the big ones.

shpuker > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 12/16/2013 at 03:52

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Film is porous and cures to the lens the same way window tint and a clear on the front of your car will. tricky stuff. Good enough looking DIY in my opinion. Should look nice all installed.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 12/16/2013 at 03:52

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There were bubbles up to about 2 mm in diameter. What's surprising is that they've disappeared completely. I'm puzzled/stoked/encouraged at the same time.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > shpuker 12/16/2013 at 03:55

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I had no idea. My rear window tint still has a few tiny bubbles (no, I didn't do it) and those aren't going away.

At least the headlights didn't leak during the last bit of rain that came down. I've mended something!

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 12/16/2013 at 04:00

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2mm is pretty small, they usually work themselves out fairly quickly.

DarkGemini > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 12/16/2013 at 07:57

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You know they make clear silicone, right?

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > DarkGemini 12/16/2013 at 14:06

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I doubt clear silicone would've made any less of a mess, sadly.

Long Live the Longdoor > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 12/16/2013 at 15:30

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I've always had a thing for the RSX, how do you like yours?

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Long Live the Longdoor 12/16/2013 at 16:14

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It's been ok. Not the fastest or most practical thing ever, but the drivetrain's still intact after 6 years and 110k miles of my ricer ownership (205k total miles now). I plan to keep it until the wheels fall off.

If I had to do it again I'd look at the 8th gen Si sedan — those have a ton more passenger space, but I couldn't get over the weird dash.