I finally took the plunge and had my 2010 XF headlights modified black. I looked EVERYWHERE! for anyone that had don't this and only found one shop.

He had done a set a while back and after talking to him, I felt he knew what to do. He's done hundreds of headlights but only one pair of XF.

I wasn't happy with the first pair details he had done but he said it was exactly what the customer wanted and he didnt really like them either. Once I sent some photos of my renderings, he said no problem.

The only thing I was concerned about was his method of opening. He said Jaguar has used some different glue system and no matter how much he heated, they won't come apart properly, distorting the rear housing, so he used a heat knife and took 3 hours cutting each lens off.

After painting and detailing the interior to my specs, he then melts the lens back on. It's noticeable from the too when the hood is open but not enough to be an issue.
I have modified the tiny center parking light and moved it to the high beam reflector bottom, using an aftermarket bulb plug.

Still not sure if I'm using led, regular low wattage, or possible yellow. The high beam will still function as usual. He does offer all sorts of HID upgrades and of course, after he finished, I saw several that look amazing. One set even has an unusual drl reflector built in. But they get $$.

I'm hoping the show up today and I can install and get some photos ASAP!! The price was also amazing!! The lowest quote for another shop was three times higher and they had never tried the XF lights.

(He guarantees the cut lens will be totally waterproof but my OCD will probably run a fine bead of silicone!)

I've also ordered the full Carbon Fiber package from Mina gallery: headlight lids (to streamline the main beam), side vents, front splitters and XFR rear carbon valance.

 

Forgot to mention how meticulous he was. Once he started painting, we texted back and forth and altered several ideas, some his, some mine! The only concession I gave in to was not painting the HID ball housing black. I think he is right, all black would look too ricer/chav!! He gave in on painting the fluted high beam reflector, leaving only the round reflector. The fluted portion only diffuses the light so it's not blinding from the side.

 

We tinted the amber lens and only left the turn reflector chrome. It's amazing how that alone updates the look. The only chrome left is the outer rings of the two lights, hid ball housing, turn reflector and high beam round reflector. We also went with a satin black as opposed to gloss since the interior has so many textures.

 

How much? And what was the turn around?

 

Wow those turned out fantastic and I am REALLY glad that you posted up the challenges this guy had...because I was about to bake these myself this fall. If I have to open them up with a heat knife I will definitely not be tackling this myself. I would also be curious who the vendor was / cost etc. If you can shoot us a PM with this that would be great. If it is reasonable I would definitely go this route.

I like how you left the chrome rings and the ball housings, I think that was a smart choice. I would really like to see pics on the car when you get a chance!

 

WRX, I have been meaning to post up details for this. I did bake open a headlight, it was a broken one so I did not care. The glue that is used for the headlights does not separate very well. I had to heat it up several times and could only get a couple inches pried open at a time. It took me a long time. If you find the link to the other person who opened up their headlight you can see the damage done to where the lens and housing meets. I will post pics when I get some time so you can see the damage. IF you want to open them up be prepared for a very long task or cutting open the housing itself. This is a reason I also moved to putting LEDs in the side mirrors and creating some for the intakes. I think I have a way to put halos in the headlights without taking the headlight apart. I still need to try this though. It is not something I want but more out of curiosity if it can be done.




BTW I love the look and was hoping to do this.

 

Very curious to see them on the car.

 

+1 Phil

Get those pics posted

 

Well, here's the deal. I'm a little ticked off with him. I paid for rush shipping and he told me Tuesday they went out. When I finally got a tracking number today, they weren't even delivered to FedEx until yesterday and they were sent ground.
NOT HAPPY!!!
With my shipping to him included, I have about 300.00 in them. Money well spent of they look as good as they do in pics!!
If they get here tomorrow, I'll post pics.

 

$300 is a great price including shipping. I have been quoted about 3x that from other companies to have the work done.

 

Here they are installed. For the $$ I'm beyond happy!! I'd line up a shop to wet sand and clear coat them after. The black looks amazing but with lights on, the road rash really shows. These are almost 5 years old.

 

any chance you can supply the info on who did this, location and turn around time. you had already mentioned the price i believe which is way fair. please if you can leave this info or pm it be great! mod looks awesome btw!

 

It's hidillusionz.com did them for me. Tell him Phillip from NC sent you to him if you contact. He was amazing and texted me during the process so we could decide what to leave. He talked me into leaving the ball chrome which I think was the right choice.
If I could go back, I would have taken his advice and upgraded the HID set up. I wasn't really aware of what is specialty is. He has some KILLER upgraded Hid lenses that would have made them Bi-zenon in the one apature, then I would have treated the high beam just like the new model and used a LED round flasher in that opening
If I don't trade later this year, and keep My XF for the long hall, I'm considering ordering a new set of lights and having him totally modify them. I could use the base halogen lights since they are much cheaper new. And I KNOW I could sell these without any problem!!

I think he may be charging a bit more for the chrome detailing since it was a real challenge. but, I still say I'd have paid 500.00 after the results. It really does make the original headlight design look totally different and much more high end on our older cars.
I also just had them sanded and three clearcoats put on and they look brand new! (still a bit cloudy inside simply from the age. both had bulbs blow out a while back and left a slight film inside from the smoke, but not that bad) even my dealer was amazed and is having their body shop start doing that to some of the early trade in cars that show road rash.
You just done realize how that simple improvement refreshes the car, even if not blacked out.

 

Very nice! I am considering the upgrade myself! Thanks!