SolaraGuy.com

They're finished.... just need to polish the lenses and install.







The next set I will probably leave the hibeam/drl reflectors chromed.
All in all, it was a surprisingly easy diy. The headlights pulled apart easily with a bake of 210 F for 10 mins. A word of caution though, the chrome surface is very delicate, microfiber cloths were scratching it while cleaning, and denatured alcohol was able to eat away at the chrome, so be careful!

The most difficult step in the process was the spray painting.
First were a couple layers of Duplicolor adhesion promoter.
Next came about 3 coats of krylon black primer.
Then 3 coats gloss black and 2 coats sealer.

I had originally tried using Duplicolor metalcast black but I couldn't get it to coat evenly. This was most likely due to my inexperience with spray painting. After this set of lights though I feel I might try it again.

lol you left the reflectors in? I took mine out, looks very clean bro! good job! (PS. where the FU*CK did u find and oven that our monstrosities of headlights would fit in?)

BadAngel wrote:lol you left the reflectors in? I took mine out, looks very clean bro! good job! (PS. where the FU*CK did u find and oven that our monstrosities of headlights would fit in?)

Yeah... I still wanted to retain a somewhat stock look so I left them in. The oven is a basic GE that is about 3 years old. It barely fit, width and depth were about 1" larger than the headlight.

How easy was it to remove the front bumper? Is it just a few screws along the bottom edge and in the wheel wells, take them out, remove the grille and tug on the bumper working from one side to the other?

One down, two to go....



I also installed the new clock/mpg cluster but as you can see it is still green. The ebay idiot posted it as a 2007 when it was a '04-'06. Now I'm awaiting a response or will be filing a claim with ebay.

looks great man. nice work.

Nice work!!!
Those HL's look sharp!

sahuddleston wrote:looks great man. nice work.

LEE337 wrote:Nice work!!!
Those HL's look sharp!

Thanks guys!

GzNutz wrote:Unfortunately, here in WI we are required to have both front and back. I only post my rear and keep the 2nd plate in the trunk just in case I do get pulled over. As long as your driving doesn't make you stick out, the police seem to be pretty relaxed on violations like a missing front plate. *Knocks on wood*

I just got pulled over for it. 1st time in about a year. It's just a fix-it ticket.

JavaJoe_2 wrote:

GzNutz wrote:Unfortunately, here in WI we are required to have both front and back. I only post my rear and keep the 2nd plate in the trunk just in case I do get pulled over. As long as your driving doesn't make you stick out, the police seem to be pretty relaxed on violations like a missing front plate. *Knocks on wood*

I just got pulled over for it. 1st time in about a year. It's just a fix-it ticket.

Did you just have to put the plate on and have it checked by the dmv or police along with a small fine?

2007
Clock Only
Toyota Solara 090197 $40
A-1 Auto Salvage USA-AR(West-Memphis) 1-800-240-3795

There is a clock for you.

cincybrad wrote:2007
Clock Only
Toyota Solara 090197 $40
A-1 Auto Salvage USA-AR(West-Memphis) 1-800-240-3795
There is a clock for you.

Thanks! I just sent an email and will call in the morning.

No problem, I am trying to do the same thing in my car. The radio is the biggest expense but I HATE having just a CD player without the ability to play MP3's

very sexy
that probably matches very well with the interior gauges of the sport models

cincybrad wrote:No problem, I am trying to do the same thing in my car. The radio is the biggest expense but I HATE having just a CD player without the ability to play MP3's

Which stereo do you currently have? I think all gen 2.5's jbl or not do have mp3 capability. If I could find a 2.5 JBL for around $200 I'd hop on it. Anymore and I'll just go Alpine.

No fine for it. I just put it back on and then drove around to find a cop. He signed it off and dropped it off at the office.