Ok, so I'm hoping fellow FF members can set me straight on an issue I'm having regarding headlights.

I have a 2011 Sport, and unfortunately I don't have the blacked out housing on my headlights.

I was thinking about swapping them out for a set of 2012+ Sport headlights, as some seem to have the blacked out headlights.

Notice I said 'some'. My brother in-law's 2012 Sport actually has more of a grey housing, it's not a true black.

From the searching I've found, it does seem like Honda does in fact make a BLACK housing, as well as a GREY housing. I've heard that the black housing were used on the Sport models, with the grey being used on the Base models. If that is the case, I wonder why my brother in-law's Sport has grey housings? (Came this way from the dealer, as he bought it brand new). Also, not that it should matter, but there shouldn't be any differences in 'Canadian' Fits vs 'American', right?

So far, I have been able to find 2 different part numbers for the '12+ headlights (base vs sport), but no definitive answer either way?

I want an OEM part, as painting mine just isn't an option, and I would like to stay away from aftermarket headlights.

Seeing as OEM headlights are expensive, I don't want to drop the $$ on grey housing headlights.

 

my 2013 base uses black housings

Look up part number and compare my base 2013s to yours, and see if honda changed the part number.

Honda has done things like this in the past due to parts quantity limitations and such.

Then they decided the blackhousings looked way better, slapped themselves, then made them standard.


Happened with the keyless and the VSA as well in the Fits!

 

I'm running black OEM 2013 sport headlights on my 2010 sport. They work just fine.

 

2012 and up fit sports should all come with black headlights. The base or dx and lx come with the grey housings. 2011 and lower sports come with the chrome headlights.


Why can't you paint yours? It'll be hundreds cheaper than buying a new set and the end result will look the same.

 

you have to break the seal, no?

ive seen painted head lights with terrible fogging afterwards. also ones where the heat from the lamps made the paint bubble and such. perhaps the op is worried about that.

personally i would just leave it alone.

 

I suppose it could be a comfort level thing. I admit putting a headlight in the oven for the first time is a bit nerve wracking.

265 for 7 minutes is a good amount, the lens will peel off easily, and you won't melt anything. Go on over to HID planet for some good DIYs on the subject.

But, if you aren't up to it I would still make buying new headlights my last resort. You could probably find someone here that would be willing to trade with you or sell you used black headlights. Just post up in the 2nd gen for sale section.

 

Yeah, there is no way I'm gonna run the risk of painting my own. I know lots of people do it, and its a cost saving measure... but I've seen too many butch jobs, whether the headlight(s) are foggy or the paint just doesn't look 'right'.

To each their own. For me, I want OEM quality, fit, and looks.

That being said, I definitely don't want to spend that kind of money on Grey ass headlights lol.

Thanks for the replies so far

 

265 for 7 minutes? no.

when I painted headlights of previous cars, I had the oven at 250 degrees only for a few minutes. I had housings warp after only 5 minutes at that temperature.

If painting the housings is the route to be taken, I suggest buying a heat gun as well. 900 watts or so. Then you can pop the housings in the overn for a few minutes to loosen the silicone sealer up, then with the heatgun, go around slowly prying. after a few minutes, the housing will seperate with no damage.

Hardest part of the job is cleaning the old silicone off and applying fresh silicon in an even fashion so it seals correctly and "permanently" anti moisture

 

i had no issues at 265 for 7 minutes. this is also what trs does and recommends.