Does anyone know if is it possible to open the headlight unit in a MK2 Facelift octy to gain access to the chrome bar with the "Octavia" writing on it?

I have had the headlight unit out briefly but cannot see any easy way to access this. So is there a secret hidden screw or release or is it simply not possible to do this as a consumer?

Ta muchly if anyone knows.

Usually find they are sealed units and opening them is not generally a good idea, reflectors are very delicate and musnt be touched if dust/dirt or moisture gets to them.

Although if your set on the possibility of wrecking your headlamps get your self a heatgun and and starting heating the edge between the lens and housing, or try them in the low oven for a couple minutes.

Can I ask what you have planned once you get in?

Lol i'm not going to those lengths nor do I want to trash the headlamp units. If it was easily accessable then I fancied having the "Octavia" lettering painted in "skoda" green.

Sound like quite a good idea, wait and see if some else tries it first.

I know some guys have opened their headllamps but the thought if it going wrong and the cost of putting right outweighs the advantages I think

Cheers. I think I will. As much as I think it would look good I agree the idea of green lettering doesnt make me want to trash my lights.

...Waits for someone to post a hidden yet safe and proven technique for opening them up

They aren't designed to be accessed, as long as you can remove and replace the consumables (bulbs) then there is no need to design in additional weak points/cost such as clips, screws etc.

A complete new headlight cluster can be had for less than £100 so they are normally just replaced if damaged.

However, as others have mentioned it is possible to heat up the clusters to soften the adhesive used to glue the polycarbonate lens onto the headlight itself and access the headlight this way. It is of course not without risks and you then have to fully re-seal the unit to prevent future problems.

Not sure about the facelift lights but ive had my pre facelift lights apart just used a heat gun and worked my way around. Cant see any issues with having to completly reseal them as they arent completly sealed anyway to be able to get in to change bulbs.

Cant see any issues with having to completly reseal them as they arent completly sealed anyway to be able to get in to change bulbs.

The bulb access is at the back of the headlight in the much drier, warmer and protected engine bay. They also have caps over the holes to seal them shut.

If you remove the front lens and don't seal it back on properly there is a good chance that you may miss a section of sealent or it might not seal correctly which could lead to problems with water ingress. Even a pin-head sized gap can allow dust and dirt in which over time clouds the inside of the lens.

It is possible I just said becareful.

Sounds like a load of work which >could< end in tears just to draw attention to what is generally considered to be a bit of a chavvy design mistake!

If you are really determined on splitting the headlight then 10 minutes in the oven at 80 degrees will soften the sealant enough to separate......but as previously mentioned, a lot can go wrong and it does sound a little bit on the chavtastic side (imho of course). What would be nice is if the lamps had vRS stamped in that space from the factory - and had dark inners!

Not checked myself but assuming you can get to the area at the back of the wording maybe with the help of a trusty dremel you could remove what could be silver/grey paint in that small area. Then replace it with green? This would only work if the lettering is 'etched through' if you get my drift otherwise the general area would all become green and the ocatavia lost...

Too risky in my opinion but would look different without changing light output

Not checked myself but assuming you can get to the area at the back of the wording maybe with the help of a trusty dremel you could remove what could be silver/grey paint in that small area. Then replace it with green? This would only work if the lettering is 'etched through' if you get my drift otherwise the general area would all become green and the ocatavia lost...

Too risky in my opinion but would look different without changing light output

no!!!

Yeah just checked and its almost at the clear cover so would still have to split entire assembly! It would also be a bit obvious and it is not exactly subtle now...