Beam pattern comparison: DIY OEM blackouts vs. aftermarket

[atomic punk]

Here's the pics I promised. I painted the OEM housings black, following the procedure that iForce posted. The came out great. I installed them this weekend and now can compare the homemade version to the Burtman ones that I purchased.

Subjectively: the OEM housings have a more consistent spread. Objectively: well, see the pics, they don't really show much difference on the road, although the they do have some difference on the garage door.

*I wish I had taken pics of the OEM housings before painting them black so I could compare all 3. I think that the chrome painted plastic all around the reflectors actually make a difference at the Left and Ride sides of the pattern and maybe those chrome parts actually help fill in the sides???? The spread still appears dimmer than what I originally remember seeing.

These pics are taken at the exact same location in a parking lot, around the same time at night, with 65w silverstars in the low beams, and fogs OFF.

 

[atomic punk]

Left side.

 

[atomic punk]

Right side.

 

[atomic punk]

Parking lot.

 

[atomic punk]

Left side parking lot.

 

[atomic punk]

Parking lot right side.

 

[atomic punk]

My main concern is the "hot spots" with the aftermarket lights - those areas that are brighter than others. And the converse it true also - I notice spots that are darker than others.

So I'm leaving my OEM ones in and selling the aftermarket ones. I'll post them in the Classifieds probably tomorrow.

> I should've searched to find out how to post multiple pics in one post.

> After painting the OEM housing, I should've thoroughly cleaned the INSIDE of the clear plastic housing before putting the two pieces back together. Although they don't fog up, I can see that I left some dust and just some "stuff" on the inside of the plastic when the lights are on. Dumbass... I should've thought to use some solvent and cleaned the hell out of it before glueing the pieces together. It's not noticable by others, but I see it and don't like it.