M3TOSVT

The base headlight I would just stick with halos at the most.

ak_cowboy

If you want something trick and amber only there is a super simple way to wire it up.

Take the amber + and -, find the running light wire and turn signal wire on the truck. Wire the halo to those two wires. DO NOT wire to the factory ground.

This allows the halo to be on with the running lights (grounded through the turn signal wire) and then flash opposite the factory turn signal. (You are removing the ground each time the turn signal flashes, shutting the halo off)

mSaLL150

For anyone with a 15-16 F150, which TRS harness works? Do you need the Canbus harness or do you need to use the HD harness with separate resistors? (had to do the latter for my '13 Focus ST retro with RX350s).

dayday

Just got everything. Not going to lie, it was a little intimidating seeing all that stuff but this should be a fun project.

Dykstrajl

It's a 2012. I was only really looking for a guide so I didn't need to be the 100th guy to ask the same questions where there might be solid guides out there already. The only questions I have at the moment are.
Do you sand the chrome reflectors before painting them?
What type of paint do you use? High temp, plastic, auto? I don't want the heat to impact the paint job.
Do you clear coat the inside?
What do you use to tint the reflectors? Nightshade?

Any help is much appreciated. Got the headlights separated last night. That was a pain

dayday

Thanks for asking these questions because I need to know as well.

dayday

I want to do something custom in the lights to say they are mine. Anyone have experience with billetbadges? I looking for two small badges to place in the housing.

ak_cowboy

Hope this helps. Any quality paint should work, don't use plastidip. Biggest thing is letting everything cure for a day or two before installing. You don't want the gasses coming off the paint to be trapped in the housing.

Here's where I'm at.

Dykstrajl

Will the people that are using color specific paint to our trucks run into issues?

What type of clear did you use?

Fritzz

No biggie, most people in this thread have been here to help, it's been really refreshing...

I have to say this is my first retro, so my techniques have yet to be tested, but I don't shortcut anything and I feel like I am doing a solid job with all the prepping I am doing.

Do you sand the chrome reflectors before painting them?
I roughed mine up with a 3M Brillo Pad, worked really nice and didn't leave big scratches. Others have removed the chrome using oven cleaner. I don't think you can really go wrong either way. Just avoid anything that will put big scratches in the reflector.

What type of paint do you use? High temp, plastic, auto? I don't want the heat to impact the paint job.
For my satin black I used a nice industrial enamel from Home Depot. My color match I picked up from the Scratch Wizard. I bought their kit that included primer, paint and clear along with some other odds and ends.

Do you clear coat the inside?
I will be, it's probably overkill, but I have it on hand and the extra protection can't hurt.

What do you use to tint the reflectors? Nightshade?
I personally won't be tinting mine, but the other threads I have seen they used Nightshade.