I had the "standard" webbing and clouding in my headlight. Ferrari says its a closed unit, can't be opened and I have to order a new one (two actually, to match color as i want black interior opposed to usual gray) which is 10k plus taxes. "Well" i said, "since i am gonna order new units, whats the harm to try opening it up". I found a shop that claims can dismantle the headlight, i was skeptical at first but considered giving it a try. To my surprise, they did it without even a little crack neither on the glass nor at the base. I'll give them the other one too so that we can paint the interiors. Its less than 5% of the price i was ready to pay for new units which can get clouded/condensed anyway. At least if something happens to the modified ones, which imo same chance as new ones, they can reopen and seal it up again, probably for free.. Led daylight conversion to my specifications (not too bright, just to match xenon color), with voltage regulator and all is included in the price. I'll post pics as soon as i get home. Seems like too good to be true, we'll see, as i do not drive it on the rain, I reserve my judgement until after the first wash.. cheers..
Ahmet just fyi, I have been told to be sure to use a heat resistant paint inside those lenses. Something you might look a little further into. I would think most two part epoxy based paints would do it but check further. Bill FL
Thanks for the info Bill, i asked and learned that they are gonna use the paint they use on brake calipers, i guess if calipers can handle it a few hours of xenon wont hurt.. A few shots of the dismantled headlight: surely all the leftover plastic will be cleaned Where we are at bare metal respray for my scuderia: initial sanding and primer done, off to detailed sanding and than base layer will be applied, which is almost Argento Nurburgring for Nuovo Rosso F1. 2 weeks to go... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
A few pix of what's been done and whats gonna be done; Never liked that color, Avio Metallico, but the spec was good and the price was right. After long conversations with Ferrari sales and service managers they advised me to pull the trigger, and never look back. So I did. Whatever i may loose in value on repainting it, i already got back with the deal, if not, to hell with it, I am gonna have a car done according my tastes, next best thing to order a new one and probably depreciate less . Its higher on mileage than i would like (6k) but at least by bare respraying it i'm gonna make it mine, and i hope its going to look good. Color's gonna be Nuovo Rosso F1 (aka 2007 F1), a darker shade of rosso scuderia, tricolor paint, i guess its from special colors. Getting the stripe painted too, gonna be a tough one, we are still waiting the template from Ferrari, its gonna be Argento Nurburgring (most Scuds come with the darker shade of gray, well i wanted something different but with ties to original colors) with black borders. Ricambi F430 Challenge Carbon Paddles arrived today (extended ones), The Taurino Centerlock conversion and Challenge Wheels are on the customs (hope we can clear them soon), they gonna be wearing Pirelli Trofeo R's. Ordered two "back up" rear lights (white center) gonna replace the horrible Fiat looking orange ones (signal, the ones on the outside) with them. Complete set of keys and locks are gonna change. Didn't wanted it but the ferrari service manager advised; the lousy tweeters and sub (which there is non, i think) are gonna be changed with Focal ones, "not too loud, just clearer sound" he said. Last but not least, gonna lower it 0,8 to 10mm (better road holding according to Ferrari). Than we will start detailing the interior.. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
quote: "Getting the stripe painted too, gonna be a tough one, we are still waiting the template from Ferrari, its gonna be Argento Nurburgring (most Scuds come with the darker shade of gray, well i wanted something different but with ties to original colors) with black borders. " did you consider vinyl stripes?
i asked and learned that they are gonna use the paint they use on brake calipers, i guess if calipers can handle it a few hours of xenon wont hurt.. The heat resistant paint is not for the heat from the xenon headlamp, it's from the heat of the sun. The clear lense can act like a magnifying glass - early 360's had a problem of the paint blistering from the sun heating throught the headlight lenses.
Against all advises I never considered vinyl. I know it should have been way easier either to put on or choose color/combination (didn't like it, make another one), but since I am getting it repainted I wanted to be as close to factory original and since its a Scuderia, imo stripe is a must. If there was such a product that could be put under the last coat of clear paint, that I could have gone for, maybe. Because, first vinyl never looks as paint (either shine or texture), second, i do not want to feel the edge of the stripe. To be able to minimize the height difference between actual paint and stripe, they are gonna paint the car first, than clear coat it, sand it, paint the stripe, clear coat, sand and clear coat again for the last time.
Hmm, well, I never thought of that I think caliper paint can handle that too, don't you think? Plus they matte clear coated it. I'll ask/remind that again tomorrow before I get the light re assembled. Thank you..
