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Purchased a beat up headlight from a dismantler to play with various modifications
Replaced fresnel lens, which diffuses light
replaced with crystal clear lens, which provides a very sharp cut off and maybe more output, but hard to tell, since I also upgraded the HID bulbs while I had them out
The headlights are NOT tinted at all. Just appear to be that way after removal of the chrome and slight tint on the amber reflector, only.
They're certainly easier to keep clean. Particularly with the smooth clear coat.
The prep work (removing rust, cleaning) is the hardest part. and probably the most critical. I've used the various sprays and 2-part brush-on paints and find that the spray, is every bit as durable and looks better.
I have a Porsche Cayenne S that came with Silver Brembo calipers, which I painted red, one side with spray and the other with the brush. The painted side outlasted the other. Since the Brembos have a smooth finish, the end product looks OEM. Whereas the XF's iron surface calipers will always have that "orange peel" look. Unless someone is crazy enough to grind them smooth as part of the prep process (not for me).
One last thing about the XF brakes. There is no perfect way to paint the retaining clip (where I have the "R" decal), since paint off the car and then trying to pry it on will destroy the painted surface. So I elected to paint with them installed - I'll just need to touch up when I do the brakes next. And paint the new clip that comes with the brakes.
Blackcoog: It's an XF V8, not an XFR. I changed the nose and rear to an XFR-S and a number of other mods, like de-chroming headlights, primarily for aesthetics. As well as minor items, like clear projector lenses and bulbs, exhaust, K&N, ceramic pads. I have since removed body badges and may try out an X-pipe soon. Otherwise, I'm pretty satisfied with how it looks and sounds, for a kiddie hauler.
Last edited by fullthrottle27; Jul 21, 2017 at 11:34 AM.
Good work there. Love that front bumper looks very purposeful. How did you do the decal jit on the brakes?
I placed the decal after the black dried sufficiently, and then used a high-temp clear over it all. Protects the decal and further smooths things out. It also maintains the gloss better over time, as compared with the color coat alone.
Blackcoog: It's an XF V8, not an XFR. I changed the nose and rear to an XFR-S and a number of other mods, like de-chroming headlights, primarily for aesthetics. As well as minor items, like clear projector lenses and bulbs, exhaust, K&N, ceramic pads. I have since removed body badges and may try out an X-pipe soon. Otherwise, I'm pretty satisfied with how it looks and sounds, for a kiddie hauler.
It still seems odd that your XF SC calipers were bare when my 09 XF SC were painted black from the factory. Your exterior mods look great. I installed a 2011 XFR bumper on my 09 and I love it.
My XF SC has silver calipers from the factory. They look like crap and are a really bad paint job. I have red caliper paint, but never have gotten around to painting them. I like the stickers!
Painted (rusting) calipers
