Convert Orange Indicators

waynerp · Post by **waynerp** » Mon 23 Jun, 2014 20:38

Hi All
I've just purchased my first Z3, last friday and have absolutely falling in love with it.
I have a huge list of things i want to do, as it needs quite a bit of tidying.
I've had a search through the forums but was hoping someone might be able to tell me if it is possible to change the front headlight indicators from orange to clear?
is the headlight a sealed unit? i'm sure i have seen some z3's with clear indicators.

I have a 98 2.8 if that helps.

Many thanks
Wayne

Althulas · Post by **Althulas** » Mon 23 Jun, 2014 21:22

Hi Wayne and welcome to the forum, you just need to post a pic if your car as well. There's loads of info on here to search and read in the knowledge section but to start you off I hope this link is of interest as it's hard to come by the clear lenses or you can just remove them or tint them http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... go#p329418

waynerp · Post by **waynerp** » Wed 25 Jun, 2014 09:22

Thanks for the reply.
Cant wait to get tinkering!

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Wed 25 Jun, 2014 11:06

I'll be seeing a plastics injection molding guy tomorrow morning on the issue of these clear lenses.... So I'll be able to say whether it's going to be viable to haave replacement clear lenses made to replace the orange ones.... meanwhile, you may be interested in these... A fair price all round.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251462620762? ... EBIDX%3AIT

waynerp · Post by **waynerp** » Wed 25 Jun, 2014 14:27

just ordered them, and would be VERY interested about the clear lenses. please let me know if viable

many thanks

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Wed 25 Jun, 2014 14:50

Yeah, I thought they were still fairly reasonable even adding in the postage... and they're brand new. I don't need the bulbs that come with them, but the seller insisted that was part of the package... I'll add the comment to the front indicator lenses here tomorrow.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Thu 26 Jun, 2014 13:16

As promised... I have given the local guy the go-ahead to make up sets of clear lenses pending the fitting of the first 2 (L & R) which I will test fit on my headlights. If they are as good as he says they will be, I will be able to supply them to anyone who wants a pair at £. 42.00 per set excl postage ( estimated at £8.00)....
I will collect the test set in around 2 weeks time. He will need aprox 1 week to make the molds for these and then do some trial s to get the right mix of acryllic so that they come out as good as the OEM parts. They will be identical with the structured / reflective inner face and a smooth polished face on the outer side.
Please bear with me for a couple of weeks and I'll post pics etc of them before fitting and a pic of the headlight after fitting.

stevie_a · Post by **stevie_a** » Sun 29 Jun, 2014 05:51

I would be interested

Davejue1 · Post by **Davejue1** » Sun 29 Jun, 2014 06:37

Hi Wayne and welcome to the forum, excellent colour choice you have there and your engine size isn't bad either!

Mine had the clear side repeaters when I bought it but have changed the rears to the M style getting shot of the orange there. If your interested in doing that look up seller:carparts_uk on eBay. I paid £54.95 plus £1.99 from Germany. As per signature pic.

Cheers
Dave

waynerp · Post by **waynerp** » Tue 01 Jul, 2014 15:30

Hi Dave.
Many thanks for the advice. It makes a huge difference with the clear lenses.
I'm going to upload quite a few images in a few days as i'm giving it a temporary colour change.

waynerp · Post by **waynerp** » Tue 01 Jul, 2014 15:32

Southernboy wrote:As promised... I have given the local guy the go-ahead to make up sets of clear lenses pending the fitting of the first 2 (L & R) which I will test fit on my headlights. If they are as good as he says they will be, I will be able to supply them to anyone who wants a pair at £. 42.00 per set excl postage ( estimated at £8.00)....
I will collect the test set in around 2 weeks time. He will need aprox 1 week to make the molds for these and then do some trial s to get the right mix of acryllic so that they come out as good as the OEM parts. They will be identical with the structured / reflective inner face and a smooth polished face on the outer side.
Please bear with me for a couple of weeks and I'll post pics etc of them before fitting and a pic of the headlight after fitting.

Yes i would be very interested as well. let us know how it goes

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Tue 01 Jul, 2014 18:19

I have a meeting with the guy making them up tomorrow... I'll hopefully get a firm date for the first set to be ready for collection and fitting...

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Tue 15 Jul, 2014 08:17

...... Molds have been made and are currently being "cleaned up".... the first set of clear lenses have been promised for this week... stand by...

waynerp · Post by **waynerp** » Tue 15 Jul, 2014 10:56

Excellent

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Thu 17 Jul, 2014 09:44

........ tomorrow is the big day !! Spoke to my plastics guy this morning, and he has promised me the first set out tomorrow for collection...

stevie_a · Post by **stevie_a** » Mon 21 Jul, 2014 12:00

And ???????

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Mon 21 Jul, 2014 12:04

I was there this morning...His "mix" of the material isn't quite right and the result isn't 100%. It's good but can be better, so he's doing another mix and re-casting a set. I'll see what happens later today or tomorrow morning again...

waynerp · Post by **waynerp** » Thu 24 Jul, 2014 20:34

Any Luck?

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Fri 25 Jul, 2014 06:25

....... Oh yes!! I was over at the plastics guy yesterday afternoon... and he has now got it right. I'll post some pics later this morning....

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Fri 25 Jul, 2014 10:08

........ Just collected these... great finish and a good duplication!!

£.48 Incl post/packaging / airmail - signed for.

BladeRunner919 · Post by **BladeRunner919** » Fri 25 Jul, 2014 10:29

Wow! Really good work.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Fri 25 Jul, 2014 10:32

Thanks Blades... I pretty pleased with them... Look forward to fitting them

sirius-c · Post by **sirius-c** » Fri 25 Jul, 2014 16:51

They look great.
Its fantastic that you have taken the time to research and subsequently provide clear lenses for the Z3 masses albeit too late for me as I bought whole light units

I must admit I always look forward to seeing the latest Z3 parts inventions and creations from Southernboy Industries.....
I can sincerely say that you are a credit to zroadster.net

.

stevie_a · Post by **stevie_a** » Sat 26 Jul, 2014 21:18

Looking good

Lets have a photo story on the install

how would you take payment

cheque?? or even better paypal??

waynerp · Post by **waynerp** » Sun 27 Jul, 2014 07:32

Well I made a complete mess of my headlights yesterday. Decided to try the halo retro fit, and well i must admit i'm not a very good cook, so putting the headlights in the over at 100oC for 10 minutes resulted in a very nice melted headlight, where the clear plastic melted on one of the metal bars in the oven!!!. pics to follow. needless to say its ruined, so i'm now thinking a complete set of new headlights with the angel eyes and clear lenses might be in order!!

Davejue1 · Post by **Davejue1** » Sun 27 Jul, 2014 07:53

Disaster! I haven't tried this but I would have thought putting plastic in an oven at 100c would cause it to melt although I have read on here of others doing it. Maybe a lower temp for longer like cooking a beef joint may have been better!

Cheers
Dave

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 27 Jul, 2014 08:21

According to my info, and also from having de-tangoed mine, 80 degrees for around 8 minutes was adequate. 100 degrees is obviously too excessive...
Anyone doing the de-tango to fit clear lenses, should take note !!
And for those who would like to fit these clear lenses, it's really quite simple - Remove the clips all round which hold the large front headlight lens, warm the headlight unit and only remove the front headlight clear cover... Gently pull the amber lens out ( it has a clip top and bottom ) and fit the clear lens in the same way. Warm the headlight unit again for 5 minutes ( it will still be fairly warm ) and replace the large headlight lens and steel clips.

A lower temp for longer may also be advisable if your oven isn't a very accurate appliance... also, allow the oven to get up to 80 degrees before putting the headlight in... ie. don't put it in whilst the oven is still warming up to the required temp, because the heating elements will be glowing at a considerably higher temperature
And use a broad flat metal spatula to pry the part off working around the perimeter. If necessary, put it back in the oven to warm repeatedly until you have it off.

waynerp · Post by **waynerp** » Sun 27 Jul, 2014 17:43

Yep.
Becasuse this is what happens at 100oC.
First 10 minutes was fine. only when i put it back in to re warm it that it melted.!

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 27 Jul, 2014 18:05

..... I don't think resting it on the lens was a good idea.... You may find that if it had been resting on the base it might have been OK... You could find a really cheap headlight with an intact lens, and simply replace the lens..??

waynerp · Post by **waynerp** » Sun 27 Jul, 2014 18:25

lol i wasnt thinking when i put it back in the oven

i've ordered a nice new set of the angel eye upgrades

zroadster.net

Convert Orange Indicators

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