• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


DIY Headlight Painting

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,503
Reactions
723
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#1
Hello everyone:

So with all the other black-painted goodies, other than the emblems, the number one thing I'm not a fan of is the chrome in the headlights. I was reading through @Guardian build thread, and he got those pieces painted. My question is, could it be done DIY? Are the headlights semi-easy to open up and paint? Headlight tint doesnt look quite right to me so thats out of the question.

Thanks!
 

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,699
Reactions
849
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#2
You're not wrong that it would be so much better looking if we could paint the chrome to black. But these headlights are so expensive and it's easy to overdo the heat that I don't want to risk it.
 

OP
2020FordRaptor

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,503
Reactions
723
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
Thread Starter #3
You're not wrong that it would be so much better looking if we could paint the chrome to black. But these headlights are so expensive and it's easy to overdo the heat that I don't want to risk it.
What do you mean overdo the heat?
 

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,699
Reactions
849
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#4
Not sure if our headlights are sealed with butyl rubber but baking in the oven for a few minutes has been the traditional way of opening light fixtures ie. softening the butyl rubber sealant. If it's a different sealant that needs to be cut out, then my mistake.
 

OP
2020FordRaptor

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,503
Reactions
723
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
Thread Starter #5
Maybe @UNBROKEN will know. I dont think it uses that sealent.

Not sure if our headlights are sealed with butyl rubber but baking in the oven for a few minutes has been the traditional way of opening light fixtures ie. softening the butyl rubber sealant. If it's a different sealant that needs to be cut out, then my mistake.
 

Messages
25
Reactions
9
Points
2
Location
Schenevus, NY
#6
Why not buy the timberline headlights that are black already?
 

OP
2020FordRaptor

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,503
Reactions
723
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
Thread Starter #8
Why not buy the timberline headlights that are black already?
I didn't know they were more blacked out. Thanks!
 

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,593
Reactions
5,369
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#9
Timberline head are still chrome across the top just like ours.
 

OP
2020FordRaptor

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,503
Reactions
723
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
Thread Starter #10

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,593
Reactions
5,369
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#11
I know I was just looking through some photos.

What are these then? They have a DRL so they arent Interceptor headlights. Interceptors get blacked out headlights but no white DRL if I am correct?
Those are aftermarket headlights…and probably poor quality like most of them are.
 

Messages
239
Reactions
146
Points
37
Location
Sacramento, CA
Vehicle
2022 ST
#12
why not look at something like this?
 

OP
2020FordRaptor

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,503
Reactions
723
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
Thread Starter #13
why not look at something like this?
Yah I know Interceptor have blacked out housing but not sure if I like amber DRLs vs White.
 



Top