Headlight reflectors/ leds

Thormx331 · Feb 14, 2012

Sorry for starting this but i cant seem to find some things.

1. Should i sand the chrome before i spray it black? (for the black housing, already have the headlights split.)
2. Whats the difference in removing the "cone" reflector for the bulbs.
3. I want to put a strip of leds like others have done but want largers leds not the small ones that have 40 leds. I would like one with about 15 like the true audis have. superbrightleds?

RedRyder · Feb 14, 2012

1) You can lightly sand the housing, but I think most people just hit it with primer and paint.

2) Cone reflector?

3) Audi's, etc use Luxeon LED's which are more powerful than anything SBL or VLED's sells, and they're expensive. If you don't buy a strip from Oznium, VLED's, etc, then you'll have to custom make one.

Thormx331 · Feb 14, 2012

the chrome reflector that goes over the low beam bulb. you can unscrew it out. just didnt know what the difference would be without it

RedRyder · Feb 14, 2012

Don't do that, it's there for a reason. It reflects the light back into the chrome buckets to that it shines out onto the road as lows are suppose to. That should never be removed.

cfox28 · Feb 14, 2012

when you take apart the whole headlight there are two parts. there is a frame like part, that i sanded. To me it just makes sence to paint it like you would other things, alot of the quality comes from prep, so sand and primer.

also some tape of the corner area where the turn signal is, if you do, be very careful, when you take the tape of the chrome coating might come off.

and in my opinion the leds don't look that great. but thats just me

Thormx331 · Feb 14, 2012

what kind of primer?

CG6>YourCar · Feb 14, 2012

Plastic primer for a plastic housing would make sense, right? Haha

Thormx331 · Feb 14, 2012

yea i would just prefer to know what someone else has used. what primer and what heat spray.

crossfire · Feb 14, 2012

Thormx331 said:
Sorry for starting this but i cant seem to find some things.

1. Should i sand the chrome before i spray it black? (for the black housing, already have the headlights split.)
2. Whats the difference in removing the "cone" reflector for the bulbs.
3. I want to put a strip of leds like others have done but want largers leds not the small ones that have 40 leds. I would like one with about 15 like the true audis have. superbrightleds?

1. Definitely sand lightly if you want it your black housing to last. 600 grit should be good.
2. Don't take out the cone reflector. The only time you should remove that is for a retrofit. By removing the cone your low beams are essentially a high beam.
3. For that type of LED get them from superbright LEDs and you want the LED strips with 5050SMD LEDs. Those will give you the most brightness and the look you are going for. For the most audi like look get neutral white or cool white. I think cool white is the closest though.