H4 Trim ring painting question

[RickKlem]

I just ordered the Euro H4 upgrade kits from our host. I wanted to have the trim rings painted the same as my car (guards red) . Darren at Pelican ,said that he thinks that the ring can not be painted. That I would have to purchase the outer ring that covers the ring that comes with the kit, and have it painted and then place it on top of the existing ring. He said he was not sure about this , and suggested that I ask you guys.

Has any one painted the ring that comes with the Euro H4 kit ? If so , how did it come out. The one that comes with the kit is black anodized finish.

Rick

[Rot 911]

Rick I did exactly what you propose doing. I scuffed up the trim ring with 400 wet/dry, then a light coat of primer then guards red. Came out just fine.

[limble]

Darren is correct. You need the trim ring and it does snap over the head light.
A friend just ordered H4's without the trim rings. We were looking at them and a very clever person might be able to disassemble the headlights and paint them but I certainly wouldn't do it. My SC has painted rings and it's a Euro spec car. Also the trim rings cover the adjustment screws.
Guards red huh? My buddy's car is guards red and he needs his rings painted. Maybe there ought to be a group painting of trim rings?
I fellow at work paints on the side and he wants to paint the rings for him but has to buy a quart of paint.
Are there shops that have the correct paint on the shelf?

[Wil Ferch]

The H4's come either as chrome or "black-primer" finish....

Althought separate trim rings ( painted) can be used...may also consider painting the black primered rings.

---Wil Ferch

[jazzbass]

The black rings are not anodized but primered. I actually have these in my gargae and can confirm at least that much . You should be able to paint them no problem. This was my original plan, but when I saw what a PITA it was going to be to disassemble the assembly to paint the ring, I bailed and picked up a brand new set of trim rings at Hershey.

If you're a concours type, I was told that euro cars before 86 (and after whatever date they stopped putting chrome rings on the cars) has the base ring painted. On these cars, you should see the painted ring with the two H4 adjuster screws - there is no finish ring.

On 86 and newer cars, they had installed the "finish" trim rings, painted body color. On these cars, you should see no adjuster screws in the trim ring at all.

Can anyone with a real pre-86 euro (i.e. not gone through Federalization and ruined by the DOT) confirm this?

[Jack Olsen]

I got the ones with the primered rings, and painted them. Some disassembly is involved, but it's not hard.

[joeclarke]

This H4 thing is the most confusing topic I've ever encountered with these cars. I've read four billion postings on this subject and have considered upgrading my 87's H5's to H4's dozens of times - I've at least gotten as far as putting in Mr. Sucro's relay kit - but that's as far as I ever get. I keep getting turned off by all this painted/chrome/extra trim ring, wire harness, relay crap. I'd rather do valve guides than headlights by the sound of it!

Even the Pelican catalogue choices make no sense here... chrome rings cheaper than black primered? Additional primered trim rings? I guess a smart cookie would buy the chrome ring kit and "extra" trim rings to paint body color - then that smart cookie would save money and could switch back and forth between chrome and body color rings at will? It doesn't even make sense to me that the headlight install could allow for an "extra" trim ring and still allow for alignment with the fender...

I find it easier to keep cool discussing Iraq than H4 headlights.

[targa80]

I have the H-4's with the black primer rings. Took them apart about a week ago to paint with the rest of the body parts. It was not hard to disassemble and looks fairly easy to put back together.

[Oracle]

I know the PO replaced the headlamps and bought the black primered rings but he never had a chance to paint them.

Then when I bought the car we both agreed that it doesn't look bad with the black rings:

I think it highlights the frog look. And makes it different ;-)


Pictures sir...







-J

[TargaRob]

I decided to leave my rings black after I saw what I would have to take apart and put back together. It looks good anyways, because it matches my black trim and goes along with the Black Metallic finish.

Post 100!

[maxnine11]

nice turbo-look Oracle !!

but i think the black rings around the "eyes" make it look like a girl with too much mascara

max

[83cab]

I painted my black primered rings. I made a sketch of how all the spring clips were laid out before disassembly, but it wasn't difficult and looks great (slate blue).

[AZ1977911]

I'd have them powder coated, mine will be this summer! The paint on mine always gets the worst abuse from road trash. I'm constantly painting chips.