Blacked out Headlights/Brakelights Modification on 22 Mavericks?

[TpaTruck]

I know the newer 2023 Mavericks have all black trim option which includes headlights and brake lights with the interior trim of those assemblies blacked out. I really like the look and was thinking of trying this on my 22 Maverick. but as always, I like doing my homework before attempting a new project. Was wondering if anyone has attempted this mod on their 22 Maverick? And I am not referring to simply tinting or smoking them with Lens Tint Spray. I know there is a few DIY videos on YouTube that show how to heat the assembly and paint the interior trim... but that's on other makes and models. The only other person I have seen do this on a 22 Maverick is Mr. Boom on YouTube (not diy video just shows results) who also an online business called Bullseye Custom Auto. See photos.

So, if you have achieved such mod, please share your process, photos and your trials and tribulations, if any . Thank you.

I had the brake lights and 3rd tail light tinted for $100...a vinyl sticker for the badge for $20... Vinyl 'Maverick' stickers for the inserts for $30 (I think). So $150 and it can look blacked out and save you a lot of time! I didn't do the headlights because I don't think those need to be darkened. But I did put another vinyl sticker on the Ford emblem and painted the accent bar body color.

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[luciusxlt]

ahah thanks, I saw your post and registered to the forum XD, you were my first ahaha , I did the same method with the tail lights and added lastfit led

did you pour it in the ZEP like the other person said he did or did you took apart the rear light.

thank you

 

[mightymuskrat]

I did, took me about 1h for the set to pry them open, they need to be always hot when playing with the housing, the bottom lip of the headlight is really easy to break . Permaseal is really hard to remove , it break by chunks. you can follow on youtube how to open permaseal headlight. Start by breaking appart the glue in the channel with a flat head . Replace the permaseal glue with butyl from morimoto, and add a bead of black silicone around the seam .

And for your information, dont use paint! Use Zep Industrial Purple Degreaser from Home depot , the 25% stronger one . this stuff will eat away the chrome plating of the plastic and reveal a shiny black finish . Rinse with distilled water after.

Thanks so much for your explanation of how you went about this. One question, do you think it would be possible to keep the upper portion (where the Lariat LED is) chrome? It looks a bit like it might come apart or be possible to mask it off. What did it look like when you had it apart?

 

[AMCfoxbody]

I had the brake lights and 3rd tail light tinted for $100...a vinyl sticker for the badge for $20... Vinyl 'Maverick' stickers for the inserts for $30 (I think). So $150 and it can look blacked out and save you a lot of time! I didn't do the headlights because I don't think those need to be darkened. But I did put another vinyl sticker on the Ford emblem and painted the accent bar body color.

On the front, is the vinyl sticker covering up the chrome ring on the Oval as well?

 

[PLG]

did you pour it in the ZEP like the other person said he did or did you took apart the rear light.

thank you

took the bulbs out and pour the tailight full of degreaser, and Rinse with distilled water. will only work with non lariat lights

 

[PLG]

Thanks so much for your explanation of how you went about this. One question, do you think it would be possible to keep the upper portion (where the Lariat LED is) chrome? It looks a bit like it might come apart or be possible to mask it off. What did it look like when you had it apart?

Yes its only and plastic reflector, remove it and tape the parts that you dont want to blackout , use a good tape tho.

 

[BoricuaBeautyx]

took the bulbs out and pour the tailight full of degreaser, and Rinse with distilled water. will only work with non lariat lights

Hi, would this also apply to the headlights as well? Would you be able to just take the bulbs out and pour the degreaser inside the housing? I'm concerned if it'll damage the transparent portions. I have an XLT and have been looking for ways to black out the headlights. Thank you, and your truck looks awesome!

 

[PLG]

Hi, would this also apply to the headlights as well? Would you be able to just take the bulbs out and pour the degreaser inside the housing? I'm concerned if it'll damage the transparent portions. I have an XLT and have been looking for ways to black out the headlights. Thank you, and your truck looks awesome!

nah, you need to take them apart, so that the low and high beam reflector does not get touch by degreaser

 

[mdl20813]

@PLG - did you cut the zep concentrate with water when you poured it in or just add it straight and then rinse with distilled water? How long did you find it had to sit for before rinsing?

 

[TpaTruck]

On the front, is the vinyl sticker covering up the chrome ring on the Oval as well?

There is no chrome ring on the front badge... Not like the back anyway. I think it was much thinner but there is no chrome showing on the front. So I guess the answer is yes. The accent bar was painted by Ford body shop and then the sticker put on. It was $300 for the paint job and $20 for the sticker.

 

[mdl20813]

Trying the Zep on the taillights today and hoping it just needs to sit a long time as nothing has really happened after 30 min. Looked everywhere for the type labeled 25% stronger but it appears Zep just changed the formula in 2020 and that is now the default one.

 

[luciusxlt]

Trying the Zep on the taillights today and hoping it just needs to sit a long time as nothing has really happened after 30 min. Looked everywhere for the type labeled 25% stronger but it appears Zep just changed the formula in 2020 and that is now the default one.

did you take a video on how to open the headlight. do you have a pic of the zep bottle ?

thank you

 

[mdl20813]

did you take a video on how to open the headlight. do you have a pic of the zep bottle ?

thank you

only doing tailight. Not messing with taking apart headlights.

 

[SuperDave71]

Great thread, thanks to all who are contributing!!!! Not sure if I’ll do this, but the collaboration is nice to see.

 

[PLG]

@PLG - did you cut the zep concentrate with water when you poured it in or just add it straight and then rinse with distilled water? How long did you find it had to sit for before rinsing?

straight up concentrate , let it sit for 20 min , change the orientation if necessary

empty the zep , first rinse with water from bath tap , thats what a did and rinse with distilled water after 3-4 time to remove water mineral

remove as much of distilled water and blow compressed air inside , move remaining water in 1 corner and use a straw to remove the rest

let it sit in the sun light to let it evaporate the rest.

enjoy!
I be doing it with my 3rd brake light soon , I will post how I do it soon

I tried with the regular 1 and was not powerful enough

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