How to Separate Headlight or Fog Light Lenses (without Oven, EASY)

Take apart your headlight lenses without an oven. Learn how to safely remove your headlamp or fog light lens without an oven. I show you an easy method to take apart the lens and put it back together so there will be no problems with melting the lens or moisture after you put it back together.
-I made my own oven out of a box, tin foil, thermometer, and a heat gun. This worked great and is reusable.
-You might want to do this if you want to spray paint the inside of your headlight, retrofit projector lenses for HIDs or LEDs, to clean the inside of the lens, etc.
Sealant for your headlight to re-seal it: amzn.to/1DjRPpk
Below is the long list of car makes, models, and years with the corresponding headlight glue type and temperatures (click the link to the pdf). Most butyl glue headlights will separate at 250F for 8-10min.
Headlight Temperature List: www.dropbox.com/s/xi6tu14ixk4...
How to Remove and Seal Moisture From Your Headlight: • How to Fix a Headlight...
How to Restore Your Headlight Permanently: • How to Restore Headlig...
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. ChrisFix assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. ChrisFix recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ChrisFix.

[@WJHandyDad]

I love that you learned from experience and weren't afraid to admit it. I've had to learn the hard way on a lot of things too!

[@chrisfix]

Thanks man! Live and learn as they say!

[@terrybaptist795]

@@chrisfix You gotta learn to crawl before you walk.

[@John_Ridley]

An expert is someone who has already made all the mistakes.

[@atarvhegde5210]

This is such a rare video. It is one of the few ChrisFix videos in which he got less than 1M views

[@rR-vs9bo]

this is by far my favorite how to account. it's very detailed and you also tell/show your mistakes instead of just editing them out

[@chrisfix]

This is the in-depth version and a quick, overview version will be out next week! Remember to stay tuned until the end for the 'Top Tip'. This top tip is an important one I learned from experience which you guys will hopefully never have to learn for yourselves!

[@briansmobile1]

Great tip and visual at the end there. That shows humility and it shows credibility.

[@chrisfix]

briansmobile1 Thanks Brian! Check your PM.

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

briansmobile1 Just like your honest enough to do. We all learn from mistakes. ..sometimes they're entertaining. For this headlight I just felt bad.

[@briansmobile1]

ChrisFix I checked my personal messages, but nothing from you. Google plus?

[@chrisfix]

Weird. I sent one the other day. I did it on youtube. Ill try again right now.

[@fundimike]

Very good tutorial Chris. I have been trying to painfully save for a good oven to start on lights. You just dropped a Eureka moment on me. Always appreciate you.

[@evilratchet777]

Trying to do a HID projector mod. This video was by far the most helpful. I like the idea of doing this with a box rather than hoping my gas oven maintains consistency. That fog light is sealed exactly the same way as my headlights.

[@matthewj.hullbasbmf5001]

Great idea. Really like the step by step videos. Your rear disc brake with the twisted piston instruction really saved me a ton of money. This is the first vehicle I've owned that didn't have rear drums, or rather the first vehicle I've owned with rear discs that I've worked on. I did the outer headlight toothpaste remedy on my wife's Honda Civic, and it worked awesome. Keep up the good work man!

[@chrisfix]

Matthew Hull Thanks a lot Matthew! Glad my videos have been helping you and teaching you! Spread the word so others can learn as well!

[@petermaldonado-cortes2816]

Hey Chris, absolutely brilliant! Worked perfect. Took out of oven, inserted a reg size screwdriver in seam ran around seam once and literally the lense fell off 5 seconds and separated! Thank You Btw perfect time/temp in oven for my car was/is.. 2005 Ford Explorer factory lights, in oven, temp 250 deg ( preheated, put lamp in after oven hit 250 )for ten minutes. One time around and open.

[@kellygwdobbs]

BMW E34 (1994) headlight. I baked mine in the oven at 120degC for 10 minutes. Worked a treat! Lens came off with one twist of the screw driver. Also I managed to remove the reflector at the same time and replaced. Thanks for the tips!

[@juandef4115]

Chris, have you tried a pizza in your oven too?

[@BrandonLund]

I love your videos. You are by FAR the best presenter of "how to" auto videos on the net! Well done! Do you have a tire rotation video?

[@christopherchase1510]

I have glass headlights on my 91 Lexus Ls400. I baked each light at 250° for 7 minutes. Worked perfectly and was able to reuse the existing butyl. Thank you for the video.

[@Engineerboy100]

Excellent video! I will be doing this very soon. I am changing my plastic lenses for glass so they don't get foggy. Thanks again Chris, you are the man!

[@southernnutcase]

i love how you use only simple tools for the repairs, makes doing my own repairs much simpler, however GM was kinda an ass when they designed the HHR and annoyingly those methods don't quite work. thankfully the husbands Fusion is fixable so super big thanks for these videos!

[@chrisfix]

That is the goal! Common hand tools if possible and straight-forward instructions!

[@andreasdrz1084]

Well done, great explanation and very helpful for no mistakes!

[@TxJonathan]

All I do is watch how to videos about cars and maintenance and so far you are one of the best channels out there. So easy to follow and understand. New subscriber

[@chrisfix]

MrBighead26 Thanks a lot bud! I am glad you like my videos and they are clear and easy to follow (that is my goal). Thanks for subbing and welcome aboard! New videos every Thursday and most Mondays!

[@ivysheehan9007]

Dear chris, I am 53 yr old woman and just beacause of your easy ways to do brake drums I was able to do it myself ! Thank you soooooo much ! You saved me over 500 bucks on repairs in one video ! Keep em coming !!!! You have given me the confidence to do it myself !!! Thats priceless !!! If there is anything I can ever do for you please let me know !!!!! Thanks Ivy

[@chrisfix]

Ivy Sheehan Great Ivy! That is awesome! I am glad my video was helpful, you learned a lot, and you saved $500!!!! That is exactly why I make these videos! All you can do for me is share my channel with your friends and family so they too can learn about fixing their car and save money! New automotive 'how to' videos every Thursday and most Mondays so stay tuned!

[@ivysheehan9007]

You got it chris,..already doing that anyway !!! Thanks again!! When you find something this cool you cant keep it to yourself !!!

[@chrisfix]

Ivy Sheehan Thanks Ivy!

[@drewficalora4819]

I think we're all curious as to why you personally cannot use the regular oven. I'm sure there's a great story behind this Lol

[@FranksShitBoxCollection]

+Drew Ficalora Probably tried doing this and accidentally left one in there for too long and it melted haha

[@eyalrud3]

Since he lives with his parents I bet his mom is just being a typical mom, "The oven is only for food and nothing else!"

[@dylang7468]

Well damn how old is Chris?

[@117seiarra]

12

[@VisualBasic6]

"I was trying to dry a fuel line"

[@raymondheath7668]

Excellent, I've been wanting to do and LED conversion on my project car and this helps a lot

[@MrMcGill2010]

@ChrisFix I tried this with my headlights but the sealant doesn't seem to go tacky like ive seen in your video and others, any tips or help for me?

[@garymoore2188]

Thank u so much, I was getting ready to spend 100$ ordering new foglights. But I found ur video and figured I'd try. Works great. I really appreciate it man. Looking forward to some new videos...

[@chrisfix]

Gary Moore Great Gary! Glad the video was helpful! New automotive 'how to' videos every Thursday and most Mondays so stay tuned!

[@peterlouis1800]

thats awesome stuff!! i was planning on fixing my mum's car lens i highly doubt shed allow me to do that to her lens but was impressed by the idea nontheless. great box oven! haha

[@garymoore2188]

Ok chris, thanks again. I'm in such a great mood today after I cleaned my fog lights.. they look bran new again..

[@chrisfix]

Gary Moore Haha, that is awesome! I am glad you are in a good mood!

[@slabbinonspokezz2375]

Wsup Chris. I watch your videos all the time even at work. You're simple and straight to the point was wondering if you could do some videos on fixing a 91 Cadillac brougham or those old school GM full sized 4 door sedans

[@Zeus-ke3iy]

Hey Chris can the reflector/mirror be cleaned as well cause I put A bulb in the headlight and the high beam was smoking and left the reflector fogged up

[@hermannmeyer2481]

MB ML series Year 2002 Hella plastic lenses Butyl 220 ºF and 8 minutes, easy to separate and barehanded manipulated after removing from the oven.

[@simonmilton6317]

Hi Chris thanks for the video I've realised it was a few years since you made the video, I was thinking would a plastic dash tool work to get the housing apart?

[@ceecee130x]

Thanks for doing all your how-to videos. What temperature and time should be used for a 2004 BMW 3-series (E46) coupe headlight? Thanks.

[@bryan_nfs5593]

lol Chris, this is the video where you finally expose your face. though the reflection of the opened fog light haha

[@StealthyWolfDaddyWerewolf]

Good video, now I know how to get inside the casing and clean / reseal it.

[@steffydog]

Another fab video, cheers Chris

[@kasiduso7169]

Very nice explaining and very useful. Thx

[@shabbee]

Hi Chris, I need to open up my 2013 mustang rear lamps, I'm guessing the glue is butyl rubber as the temperatures are going to be nothing compared to a headlamp. Have you ever split one of these or do you have any recommendations 're oven temp and baking time? Thanks pal

[@croftpydycroftpydy533]

nice video.. very informative.. im about to try this for a 98 jeep grand cherokee directional.... havent had any success finding any at junkyards.. they say theyre all the same from 93 thru 98 but mine has 2 slots for the bulb to turn in and the one that i did find had 3 and that came off a 97 so im gonna try this but with the oven as i live alone. any tips or suggestions other than use tin foil in bottom of oven?

[@BAYNC]

DO A RETROFIT TUTORIAL!

[@hafiz198022]

Hi chris like to find out what temperature and how long for lexus is200 headlight. thanks

[@swapnil6987]

Hi Chris, can you please let me know how to clean the Reflector of the head light, i mean what solution to be used or something, As my 2007 Ford fiesta's headlight Reflectors have gone bad and not giving adequate light on road.

[@JohnD.302]

What paint would you recommend to paint the inside of my housing black?

[@JDMFR3AK]

Chrisfix. Could u share the time to heat up a 1998 nissan maxima headlight and fog light lens.

[@LilyoftheValeyrising]

Chrisfix- I didn't need heat to get my fog light lenses apart, but there is a white film on them making them appear dull, just like the plastic headlight on your PT- Cruiser. Do you have a suggestion to remove it? FYI 1980 Mercedes 450sl.

[@J8M17]

Hey Chris, I have a question for you, I have a 1Gen Mitsubishi Montero with glass headlights, would the technic still apply as if it were made of plastic?

[@Sroor2023]

Wow great i love this idea You are genius man 😊 Ive Just grabbed a cartoon, i have heat gun and thermometer and it look like better than oven thumbs up for you 👍👍👍

[@KeepCalmNKeepWalking]

Hey chris.. big fan.!!! Please add a review of the ceramic coatings for cars these days.. A how to and why video of sorts..

[@Murininja]

Hey man, do you think that this would work for the tail light assembly on a 2010 Toyota Corolla? I looked over you list for bake time per car for headlights and it says corollas' are a butyl? is that you have to buy it there is no separation that can be done?

[@kennethwise7108]

Hi, quick question. First off it looks fantastic and thanks for making this video. I was actually considering painting my mirrored inside high gloss high heat enamel black to blacken that part out then seal it back up again. I think itd look SICK but im uncertain about its ability to project a beam afterwards. Have you or anyone else you know ever done that before? Thanks

[@illenick]

@Chrisfix yeah dude thts muchly appreciated I used your PDF of the temperatures and times for my corolla lights and it was perrrfect!

[@chrisfix]

illenick AWESOME! That is what I like to hear!

[@786slizza]

great video Chris, looking to open my headlights tomorrow. now I need to find a box!

[@chrisfix]

Awesome! Let me know how it goes!

[@aleblanc3547]

Excellent video, as usual, Chris! That "how not to" section is great advice (I know I'm always tempted to find a shortcut) and in this case it's not a good idea.

[@chrisfix]

A LeBlanc Thanks buddy! Yea, it is easy to show how to do things the right way but not so easy to show how not to do things lol

[@francisniufortaliza15]

hi chris. my headlight housing got burnt by the hid. and caught some rust. i tried wiping it with alcohol and a microfibr. but got the chrome off. can i still fix it? any advice on how to get a chrome finish. or painting is as good.

[@Karavtech]

Nice video mate. Is there any way to make the headlight lenses crystal clear even if they are frosted? (Old type)

[@charlwentzel2751]

Can you please add the Vw Golf Mk2 to the list for the lens removal. Thanks.

[@samjohnson466]

Very well done Chris, thanks.

[@chrisfix]

Sam Johnson Thanks Sam!

[@benjamin4827]

Hey Chris. Hella Rallye 3003, seems sealed with silicone type of adhesive. Same procedure? I need to re-chrome the reflector bowls. Thanks. Benjamin from 🇿🇦

[@jetjazz05]

My 2002 Saab 9-3 was the last year they used glass headlights, and they held the glass onto the housing with 7 clips that come off easily as well as a gasket that's replaceable. Super nice for doing my HID projector retrofit!

[@chrisfix]

Jesse Crandle Nice! Cant beat that! How did the projector retrofit go? I want to do that for my truck (which is why I made this video).

[@jetjazz05]

ChrisFix It went really well actually, I hate to "advertise" but I bought a "morimoto" kit from The Retrofit Source, it included the projectors, the ballasts, the 4300k (looks very white, almost blue depending) HID bulbs, as well as the harness that connects it to the stock wiring. The harness is nice, they have a built in fuse to protect from any surges. Since I got the kit two years ago they've seriously updated their harnesses to keep canbus systems happy in case you have a headlight failure message or something, they also look a lot better made and more professional now. But still, it's been two years and they work awesome. I got a bi-xenon projectors since my car only had one bulb for high and low beam, but they work really well. Projector HID conversions are worth every penny, I know for a fact that it bought me 50 extra feet one time to stop, and if I hadn't had it I would have hit a deer. Also I've never been high beamed by anyone because of the kit, if you aim a projector right it's actually not as annoying as a regular reflector and bulb.

[@chrisfix]

Jesse Crandle Thanks for the info Jesse! I really want to do it! I have the single bulb hi/low too so I would need the wiring harness from them. Now I am getting pumped to do this!

[@rondon73]

Hi, Can you do this with classic mini Cibie glass headlight? What temperature? Any advice much appreciated. Cheers

[@suezaliroze5290]

This is great tutorial. I tried with my 1989 Toyota Cressida GX Glass Headlight. It worked at 250 degrees Feirenheight for 10 minutes. I used my Soldering Hot Air Gun and I used a smaller box to get it hot fast Thanks for this tutorial ChrisFix

[@chrisfix]

Imraz Ali Awesome and thanks for the info! I will add it to the list!

[@bradenfisher8972]

Trying this on my 1978 dodge w-100 lights

[@bradenfisher8972]

Also glads

[@mckenlyhenriques]

Hey Chris... I used hot water to separate the glue on my tail light... Works great

[@seanmeyers4050]

ChrisFix do you leave the bulbs in for this?

[@nd318865]

Conversely, you can buy a set of used fog lamps on ebay for the 993 for $250.00 because you haven't seen this video in time. Actually mine received a rock chip and there was no lense alone available from Porsche or aftermarket. Good stuff Chris.

[@Bu5h1d0]

does it work with the tail lights?

[@XJeepWerks]

How long does it take to get the box up to temp and how hot can you get it? I have the exact same gun

[@larryofw4690]

chris thanks for the new helpful video...God bless you....

[@chrisfix]

larry ofw Thanks Larry! Glad you found the video helpful!

[@remiel3315]

How would LED's hold up to this for a head/tail light conversion?

[@tylerphelps4868]

When I do projector retrofits I prefer to go 225 for about 12 minutes. 200 is plenty to soften the butyl enough and 225 keeps the risk of lense and bowl deformation nice and low as well as bucket scoring all while giving the butyl more soak time

[@bradenfisher8972]

Works great with the glass ones too.

[@stevebarker1974]

Vauxhall not on list Chris......I have just failed mot due to headlight shinning down to.left the mechanism inside has not adjusted light to ahead so when I put my fill beam on it looks like the bulb has blown my normal lights work fine it's only on full beam....so have to take my light apart to see if the clips have come off the mechanism cheers Chris great blogs from Leeds UK

[@romeronas8]

Really helpful I never knew they could come apart

[@chrisfix]

romeronas8 Awesome! Glad the video was helpful! That is the goal!

[@asasial1977]

I downloaded your list, it didn't have the temp and time for the 03 Olds Alero i was trying to disassemble, but the one Olds listed said 265 for 7 minutes and it worked great on the Alero as well. not sure what type of glue it was but it is grey in color.

[@chrisfix]

asasial1977 Thanks for sharing! I will add that info to the list! I appreciate the update and information!

[@bigcountryboy]

Hey can you do a video for 2015 nissan altima headlights

[@LightsMB]

I really like your homemade oven idea. I think it would work pretty decent for curing paint on small parts if you can get a low enough and steady temperature.

[@chrisfix]

LightsMB That is a good point. I can maintain a temp +/- 10F and it can go a little above 300F with the current configuration. I always wanted to powder coat so maybe I should make an upright version... hmmmmm

[@leonardaguirre2104]

How about temp of piaa fog lamps Chris... Ty

[@reptilian6413]

Can you do a video about a retrofit?

[@lostmuninn001]

I haven't tried to take apart mine yet but mine has metal clip things on them that looks like it holds the lens to the main plastic. would there still be glue there?

[@gregoryklein2608]

Chris is da man!!!!!

[@chrisfix]

Thanks!

[@masgun328]

hi chris i want video from you, how to repair fog lamp lenses with crack problem

[@imbamanila]

whats the oven setting for the headlights of a Toyota Corolla ae92?

[@prokopispapastratis4456]

Chris i wonder if you can give me a solution to this problem: i got a pair of new aftermarket headlights for a great price , but when i tried to install them ,one of the factory plugs (in both headlights) goes all the way in to the receptacle but it does not click to secure the plug because it slides right out . when i hold it with my fingers the light works . Is there any way that i can secure the plugs into the receptacles permanently? Thanks

[@TxJonathan]

This is perfect my sealed beam headlight just went out. I'm gonna get a new one but now I can practice.

[@jayasmrmore3687]

Awesome. If it is being replaced anyway then you might as well practice on it!

[@Ammar-ku4yx]

Hi Chris I need a solution to fix the headlight lens cracked disappear, the crack is going through. Thanks

[@overmarsdaria3222]

Does it work as well on glass lens?

[@raulnyquist]

i just meet your face at 4.42 wauuu hahaha, nice to meet you Chris!

[@DjSerolmp]

what about a jaguar s type 3.0 2002?

[@JOSELUISROZO]

I had abandoned the idea of cleaning the moisture inside the headlights of my Renault Clio Rsi before I saw this tube. Thank you Chris! I was wondering if among all the headlights and foglights you have serviced you can count Valeo and Cibié models and if you have any information to share in regards to your experience with them! Thank s again for this useful video! Cheers from Colombia!

[@stijn52]

+ChrisFix Is it possible to show us how you make your light yellow? With yellow lights i mean the 1960s till late 80s French headlights. It's legal to have them on cars (from that period) in some parts in Europe :)

[@erfanmelanaga3652]

nice bro, i've done this box trick for installing projector lens. 200 F in 5 minute for toyota kijang (indonesia market).

[@MichaelB450]

It would be cool if you did a projector beam headlights install video for one of your cars.

[@chrisfix]

Stay tuned!

[@roygonzalez8924]

Will it be fine if there is clear coat on the lens

[@mattboomerang7920]

I wonder if this would work on a Peterbilt 389 headlight? Lots of big chrome metal and glass, but the insides look like crap. I do have an extra light assembly from a wreck I guess one day I shall see

[@petef7340]

Great video! One thought may be to use latex gloves so you aren't getting oil from your skin on the inside of the light. Oil will cause spots or contamination to re-form

[@BlueMoon-lz5wc]

Im so happy that u didnt forget pontiac many people forget pontiac

[@aryasadhana1456]

Hey Chris, don't forget to add some blinker fluid in the fog lights to make 'em brighter & long lasting

[@chrisfix]

lol

[@Yaboii.Drewskii]

I like this man he smart af😂

[@readmore889]

Chris my friend accidentally touched his inner headlight we to get it out and made it worse so we wet sanded and polished it but its still kinda blurry got any tips?

[@hectorperez6293]

really cool,I have protege5, my fog lights came in glass.I need to use the same temp and time?

[@chrisfix]

Hector Perez There is a link in the description to a long list of makes and models. Your Protege5 will probably be fine around 235F to 250F. Let me know how it goes!

[@lewisyoder8067]

Awesome video thanks

[@vncntv5923]

Hey chris does this method also works with glass head lights? I wanna retrofit a projector in our delivery van

[@chrisfix]

It does!

[@Reza-nz2re]

Is it ok to put motorcycle headlights on the oven?? LED inside

[@justozzie1072]

can i use something instead of heatgun ? like my Wife's Airthing that they make their hair with

[@illenick]

@ChrisFix thanks man! Just what I was looking for! And ill check the description next time lol my bad. Thanks man!

[@chrisfix]

illenick No problem! Yea, I try my best to put supporting details (tools, products, etc) in the description.

[@jgflowofficial7303]

Temperature for Cadillac CTS 2005 .?

[@faridalazzeh605]

Will I have to do anything to the inside electronics? Just put the headlight in the DIY oven?