Posted on June 5, 2010.
Where can I find cheap headlights for a 1999 450 smart fortwo? I dyed my headlights to give my car a look all black. What I do not know is that it will not pass inspection .... I used this spray on the spray paint smoke. I might be able to remove a certain way? Please advise ... I also need 450 parts cheap, I can not afford all UK companies there is more .... price
You can find them on E-Bay for a good bit cheaper
Well, the headlights are plastic, so it should be fairly easy to strip the paint, there are many products available. If you are looking for supplies of bodywork, there are a lot of paint strippers available. They even have products specially designed for spraying on the headlights and the glass that would work.
If this does not work, you can start calling junkyards. Although I'm sure this is not a common car for salvage yards yet, but they are there.
I had a little luck to find it difficult to find parts for my BMW E-30 cabrio seeking junk yards online. There are several services where you can search multiple junkyards, and place requests for specific parts and get quotes. You can try:
http://www.recycle.net/recycle/Auto/Used ...
or do a Google search for used car parts.
As others said the answer ebay can be a good option too. And just a little tip, I did it myself with some success: If you find a vendor that sells other parts Fortwo you can write and ask if they have lights. Many times the salvage yards will sell pieces of a rescue vehicle on ebay, and they can have lights, but were simply not listed. If you do this, make sure they actually list the item with a buy it now option for you, then you are given the protection of ebay purchase.
Oh, and also because automakers keep the vehicles of the same styles for several years, make sure you know what the year-end headlights will fit your car. This will give you many more options. Usually it is a range of 5 years, sometimes with cars like the Smart car is longer. Although the lights are often changed between major overhauls as "stylized" changes.
Good luck.
You can try to use solvents or cleaner approved for plastic. Using a standard paint thinner may destroy the finish of the plastic or notching.
As for parts, you'd have to order them from the United Kingdom. City cuts 450 were not designed for U.S. and smart centers (U.S. dealers) are not generally allowed to work on another chip that the fortwo 451. You may be able to find them on U.S. soil for sale on eBay or some of the sellers http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/
Otherwise, a Google search will result in sites in the United Kingdom more for just about any part you need 450 ...