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EL Fairmont HID retrofit 

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:35 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Mate, that looks sexy! :mrgreen:

The finish on those lenses is mint, can't believe how well they turned out. Makes the front end look heaps classier and sharper. Have you thought about smoothing the indicator lenses so it blends in with the lenses on the headlights?

Excellent job 8-)

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:37 pm 
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I didnt end up using an acrylic clear coat. I tried it, and while it was easy enough to buff the outside, the inside was a different matter.
But luckily, I found another method to coat it that also has UV protection.
It's not quite as hard as acrylic, but it is still very hard, it's clear like nobody's business and is super easy to do and, best of all, doesnt require any buffing afterwards. As you see it in the photos is exactly as it is after curing.

I did think about doing a split level indicator, but I dont want to open the indicators as they dont use sealant like the headlights so there is a risk of cracking them, and I've closed up an indicator before only to have it come apart again. It just doesnt lend itself to gluing very well.

I'll try to get a video up tonight of the method I mentioned.


What projector are you going to use for the XR low beam?

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:40 pm 
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KWIKXR wrote:
Mate, that looks sexy! :mrgreen:

The finish on those lenses is mint, can't believe how well they turned out. Makes the front end look heaps classier and sharper. Have you thought about smoothing the indicator lenses so it blends in with the lenses on the headlights?

Excellent job 8-)

Thanks a lot.
It certainly modernises the front a little I think. It's not perfect from all angles, but the light output makes up for that :)

I thought of clearing the indicators too, but I dont think they would have the same visual effect.
Plus I like the way it looks now.

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:56 pm 
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MAD wrote:
I did think about doing a split level indicator, but I dont want to open the indicators as they dont use sealant like the headlights so there is a risk of cracking them, and I've closed up an indicator before only to have it come apart again. It just doesnt lend itself to gluing very well.
You'd need to do like I have with the taillights - cut up a unit for the lens, then cut up another unit for the lenses to fit to. Easy with mine, as I was given a few taillights to play with for free. They are like a heat weld fitment, so yes, next to impossible to prise off without breaking. I'll glue mine together with urethane, but with yours, you'd need a clear one - black would stick out.
MAD wrote:
I'll try to get a video up tonight of the method I mentioned.
Ta.
MAD wrote:
What projector are you going to use for the XR low beam?
Those Ebay ones with the angel eyes you hate - I need to adapt it to fit to the bracket, because as you know, they're designed to fit into an existing reflector.
I have a few BA headlights, so I intend to cut up the covers for headlight protectors.
Good idea for you to have headlight protectors also - a rock hit could undo the work you've done.

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:36 pm 
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Here's the video of the indicators.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFxlgQY9 ... ata_player

For inidcating purposes, I am just tapping power to the indicator plug.
Excuse it for being off the car, I found I didnt seal my headlights properly so i took them off the car to reseal them.

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:53 am 
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MAD wrote:
I didnt end up using an acrylic clear coat. I tried it, and while it was easy enough to buff the outside, the inside was a different matter.
But luckily, I found another method to coat it that also has UV protection.
It's not quite as hard as acrylic, but it is still very hard, it's clear like nobody's business and is super easy to do and, best of all, doesnt require any buffing afterwards. As you see it in the photos is exactly as it is after curing.

I did think about doing a split level indicator, but I dont want to open the indicators as they dont use sealant like the headlights so there is a risk of cracking them, and I've closed up an indicator before only to have it come apart again. It just doesnt lend itself to gluing very well.

I'll try to get a video up tonight of the method I mentioned.


What projector are you going to use for the XR low beam?


What was the method you used? im having trouble with mine, its still got fine scratches in it that i cant get out.

well done on the retrofit!, looks great. looking forward to finishing mine now:)
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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:01 am 
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It's a 50:50 mix of white spirits and a marine wood varnish beleive it or not. And it is wiped on with paper towel.

I found the method here...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/sho ... -idea.html

You still need to finish the surface quite well before coating, it doesnt fill in all scratches.
I worked with wet/dry down to 1200, then I use some sanding pad I found at Mitre10 (norton brand I think) then dry it and wipe on the coating.

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 4:56 pm 
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I like your research - well done.
Pity more people don't do this - they mostly want to be spoonfed.

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:57 pm 
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Went round to a mate's place Friday night and we ended up heading out for some pics.
Hope you like 'em.

Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:12 am 
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You should start a build thread mate, include all ur miss and pics. Would be a good read, plus it won't get lost in the loose threads
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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:24 am 
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I don't know if I can be stuffed recalling what I've done and writing it down.

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:06 am 
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Pretty awesome,
so did you just sand the lense until you got it smooth or how did you go about that?

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:27 am 
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Yep, just sanding... lots and lots of sanding.

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:29 am 
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by hand or with power tools, thinking about attempting it but dont want to destroy too many sets of headlights

 

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 Post subject: Re: EL Fairmont HID retrofit
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:31 am 
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Mostly by hand with a sanding block, but I started off with a drill and a 75mm sanding disc.

 

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