Thinking about making angel eye headlights over Thanksgiving.

[Ghostgt]

I am thinking about trying to make angel eye headlights for my car and was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to do this? Travis

[itsallthesame]

i am in the process of modding a spare set of headlights for my 03 GAGT1 with 80mm cold cathode lights used in PC cooling fans. They should make for an interesting look, and already run from a 12V power source, the wiring and sealing of the lights will hopefully be the only issues. Ill be sure to take pictures on the procedure to share. NOTE, the lights only cost around 20 each :)

Good luck with your project.

[ecko70]

hey if you do decide to make the angel eye headlights please feel free to do a "How To" please would be much appreciated :D

[pre_16365]

heres some pics of mine:
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=127939
http://www.preslair.com/sitebuilder/images/eyes_12_resized-397x251.jpg
http://www.preslair.com/sitebuilder/images/eyes_14_resized-397x250.jpg

it just takes time to do! dont rush it and make sure you properly seal the headlight back up if you take the cover off. or else it will fog up and get water on the inside of the lens!

heres the link to the thread for more:
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11783&highlight=angel+eyes

[ecko70]

:gravey: ....my next project has been chosen

[ecko70]

ok maybe its just me or maybe im just not looking hard enough, but is there a How To on grandamgt.com or any other threads that sayhow to make these

[pre_16365]

Originally posted by ecko70
ok maybe its just me or maybe im just not looking hard enough, but is there a How To on grandamgt.com or any other threads that sayhow to make these

nope, mine are totally custom, i made everything, including the rings. i will make a how to, but it wont be anytime soon.

i belive Iceman might have a how to, he has a single ring in his headlights. and i do think it is over on GAGT.com somewhere.

[XAlliedYouthX]

What exactly does angel eyes mean that is differant from regular headlights?

[Ghostgt]

I think that i will probably have to wait until i get the cathodes to make my headlights, but i hope to have them done within a week or two. I will post pics once i get them done. ;) Also does anyone know how to wire them in?

[XAlliedYouthX]

I just read a few things and they seem easy enough to make but I just can't figure a way to secure them so that they don't move around in the compartment.

[Ghostgt]

Ok, i 'm wondering which cathodes to get. Here is alink to the ones i found and tell me which ones you think will be better. ;) Also i guess that i would just dremel off the little screw attachmnets then correct?:???: Any help is appreciatd. :D

#1: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3443720874&category=42002

#2: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3442964400&category=51064

[FusionGT]

Originally posted by XAlliedYouthX
What exactly does angel eyes mean that is differant from regular headlights?

angel eyes arent the headlights persay. They are like a quasi parking light type of thing. Basically its a small ring of light that runs on the outside of the actual assembly. They only operate when the headlights are off, which makes the car look hella mean coming up behind you at night, like eyes hence being called "angel eyes". BMW was the original creator of the angel eye concept as far as I know, but the idea has been copied by many different aftermarket companies for applications on various cars. Hope that helps

[XAlliedYouthX]

If they are supposed to be used with the actual lights off then it seems a no DRL kit would be needed.

[tido_29]

http://students.washington.edu/ashis/Creating%20Custom%20Angel%20Eyes.htm

[Ghostgt]

I still think that it would be better to use the cathodes, but i can't decide which ones to get. Any opinions? :???:

[XAlliedYouthX]

I was looking for some cathodes but personally couldn't find any that were in a ring shape other then a PC fan.

[beandip_62]

A how-to for +99 cars would be awesome. I'd love to have those on my car. Red would be sweet, but probably illegal...

[tido_29]

well those instruction are pretty much universal.. but it How to for a Grand Am would be cool :)

We do however have a how to for a HID intall on a grand am . :)

if you need it, just pm me

[Ghostgt]

I was thinking that i would just carefully dremel off the tabs on the fan cathodes. Would this work?

[XAlliedYouthX]

I've never made them before but I would say that if there are screw holes on the cathode you could use them in some way to seat it in the housing since I really can't think of any way off the top of my head to do so.

[ecko70]

Pre, would you by chance have the measurements you used for them? and what did you use to mold them around? jst a regular peanutbutter jar or..?

btw im a little ignorant here, whats HID

[99SEDude]

As far as the cathode tubes, I'd use the second ones. Those are more round than the others. Meaning they go all the way around, not like the first ones that seem to stop way before.

[JMILLS]

I have been inspired and I am going to tackle the Angel Eye project for my 97 this weekend. I already have LEDs that have been kicking around, I bought a dremel and the guy at Home Depot gave me my other materials for FREE! My lucky day, if I don't screw up royally, I hope to have pics available on Monday.

Anyone have any suggestions on what to use to re-seal the headlights.

[Ghostgt]

I would recommend using Seal All. That is what i used on my tails and i have no leaks. ;)

[HighwayProwlerz]

I think I may give this a shot as well. I am a little afraid to take my headlight apart though.

[Ghostgt]

I plan on wet sanding my headlights first to get the pit out of them so they look better once i get the cathodes in. ;)

[JMILLS]

Well I did begin the project tonight and so far so good. I am going to try and get into the headlight assembly tommrow and find a way to hook this stuff up, wish me luck.

[Ghostgt]

Let us know how it goes. ;)

[JMILLS]

Well, my project has been deemed a failure. I cannot get the headlight apart to put my lights in. I tried prying and prying, but more of the housing kept cracking, so I gave up. Now Im stuck here with a completed set and nothing to do with it. If anyone has any tips on seperating the headlights, let me know.

-J

[iceman]

Originally posted by HighwayProwlerz
I think I may give this a shot as well. I am a little afraid to take my headlight apart though.

the 99+ headlights are VERY easy to take a part, much easier than the tails. just get a utility knife blade and slide it in the bead of silicone all the way around and the lens will come right off. put a new bead on when re-sealing them and you are good to go.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/9/web/273000-273999/273521_48_full.jpg

[JMILLS]

99+ may be easy... but has anyone done it with a 96-98 or even a 92-95. I could not get mine open.

[ecko70]

how do you get the actual headlight out from the actual car? i am having trouble getting it out...read through the owners manual and it vaguely describes it, and i cant seem to find the "two speed clips"
any help would be appreciated

[beandip_62]

How do you secure the light inside of the housing?

[Ghostgt]

The two speed clips are the little peices of metal that have a 90 degree bend in them, they are made of thin metal and my bend(can be a pain to get out too).

[ecko70]

ok im having the absolutly most impossible time taking out the headlights. they seem to be bolted in there but i cant seem to find out where. the guys at the bodyshop took them out without any trouble but refused to tell me how due to theyir "policies" can someone help me out? :???:

[Ghostgt]

There should be two bolts on the top of the headlight which are 10mm and then there are the two speed clips. It is kinda tricky to get it out, you just have to be carefull and wiggle it out.

[Ghostgt]

Man, does this suck! :( I went to wet sand my headlights and i used 320 grit on one of them and now it is all scratched and won't clear! I did find a set of brand new ones though for $55,so i think i will just buy them and then install the "demon eyes" in the new ones, but practice installing them on the f!cked up one so i don't ruin my new ones. :P

[99SEDude]

I'm not sure if this would work or if it's too late to mention. When I cleared my HVAC knobs I scratched them pretty bad in the process. I sanded them with 300 paper and then sprayed them with clear coat and it brought the shine back. I'm not sure if clear coat would take the heat from the headlights, but it's worth a try. Also, there's a product made by 3M, still can't think of the name, but GrafxWerks recommends it when preparing the third brake light to apply the overlay vinyl. I'm not sure how it works but it's also used to bring shine back to worn out tail lights. Anyways, give it a try on the old ones, and if it works I guess we'll know what works :D

[Peyman]

Originally posted by JMILLS
99+ may be easy... but has anyone done it with a 96-98 or even a 92-95. I could not get mine open.

its really easy to get em open, just pop off those metal clips, then get a blow dryer or a heat gone and heat up the crap thats holding the lens to the other part of the headlight...i used a knife to slide under there...it took me like 25 min/headlight

[Ghostgt]

So far i have tried rubbing compound, polishing compound by rubbing them in by hand and haven't had any luck. I think i will go to Wal-Mart tomarrow and see if i can find that stuff you are talking about. If that doesn't work i guess i wil try automotive clear coat. I will keep you posted. ;)

[Wallflower]

Originally posted by 95tealgt
Man, does this suck! :( I went to wet sand my headlights and i used 320 grit on one of them and now it is all scratched and won't clear! I did find a set of brand new ones though for $55,so i think i will just buy them and then install the "demon eyes" in the new ones, but practice installing them on the f!cked up one so i don't ruin my new ones. :P

Wet sanding is intended to be done on paint in the first place. Secondly, wet sanding should be done with an ultra fine grit, like 4000. I think you will be better served by getting new lights rather than trying to use clearcoat on them. The clearcoat on HVAC knobs is one thing, but on a headlight you aren't going to get the same reflective properties as you would with a stock lense.

[Ghostgt]

I just knew that i would f!ck up some how and it would end up costing me more money! :roll2: :D So if you were me would you use the old one as a trial one for the "demon eyes" then do it to the new ones if it works out good?

[XAlliedYouthX]

Originally posted by 95tealgt
I plan on wet sanding my headlights first to get the pit out of them so they look better once i get the cathodes in. ;)

What pit?

[Ghostgt]

The chips from rocks.

[Ghostgt]

I was just wondering if when i get the cathodes in if it will be legal to drive with them in? I think it would be since they are blue likemany headlights.

[VanishingImage]

Originally posted by Peyman
its really easy to get em open, just pop off those metal clips, then get a blow dryer or a heat gone and heat up the crap thats holding the lens to the other part of the headlight...i used a knife to slide under there...it took me like 25 min/headlight

Yea,i forget how many metal clips but they look like they pop or can be pryed off....I dunno about the sealed part,i take it Peyman knows since he has prolly looked at them more then i have but i did notice the other day the metal clips so im gonna find a right or left headlight and take it apart. You pretty much suspend the halo around the middle light or low beam,you can do it with the high beam to if you wanted.......It's not that hard of a project,just takes some patience and the will to do,unlike me and giving up on trying to clear the 96-98 tail lights,its a possiblity to clear them but damn the welded plastic lens!

[beandip_62]

But how do you suspend the cathode around the headlight? I'm just not quite understanding that part.

[JMILLS]

my suggestions.. sometimes they come with a screw bracket that you could screw to the rear housing. If not I would use some clear silicon adhesive at points

[03xGAxSE]

im halfway tempted but scared of hurting my baby are you guys using the cathodes or leds ive seen how to make the ring with the "mini blind stick" (the twisty one that changes the angle of the blinds) and 2 leds i dont know about a cathode or even what it is

[03xGAxSE]

is red illegal? i would like to use a red one because i think it would look cool and be diffrent... unless it looked pink... any one try this?

[03xGAxSE]

if i wired them to a switch all i have to do is flip them off then they could be hidden behind my black outs hmmmm... interesting

[beandip_62]

I was thinking about red ones too. As long as they were kinda bright red. I don't know if it's illegal or not.....

[99SEDude]

Anything that may get your car confused with an emergency vehicle (blue or red lights) is illegal to have. I've asked a few cops around here and that's what they tell me. I'm not sure what the laws are in your state, but it's usually a good rule of thumb.

[03xGAxSE]

bmws come stock with blue ones so im not worried about the blue ones being illegal i think ill try red ones some time this summer, if i get a ticket oh well, ill just never turn them on while driving again as simple as that.... another thought i had.. someone with cleared gt tails could put them in their tail lights as well, i would try but cant as i have a se, it would kinda be a altezza look but not really

[03xGAxSE]

i like this idea so much i cant shut up... i found some 3 color leds (red green blue in one led) if i could find a multi selector switch with atlest 5 maby six settings i could do a diffrent color for every day of the week

[99SEDude]

The ones on the BMW are a light blue, close to the super blue headlights or some of the HID kits, which are not illegal. A blue like that should be ok to drive with. Yellow or orange should also be OK since, well, that's what turn signals look like.

[Ghostgt]

Well i got my new headlights today to replace the ones i messed up. :P I plan on trying out the cathodes in my old headlights when i get the extra cash. I will let you know when i get to it. ;)