Lada Priora headlight tuning - installation of lenses, eyelashes, substrates

PTFs are installed on the Priora to improve the standard light when driving through dark sections of the road or in fog, they are simply necessary. Fog lights on the Priora are a privilege of luxury trim levels. Lada Priora was produced in 2 bumper design options: restyling SE, pre-restyling, so the part number is different - more about it below. In all other, empty configurations of the Priora car, plugs are installed in place of the PTF, which over time you want to replace with fog lights. Usually this moment comes when the driver drives his car for the first time through dense fog - so that visibility is minimal, it’s scary to drive, but it’s necessary. In such cases, the emergency lights turn on, movement should be slow and careful - and if there were fog lights, the driver would feel more confident.

The price of fog lights for a Priora car starts from 800 rubles and goes up to 2000+. The amount is not large, but the useful function is obvious.

Connecting the PTF is done in 7-8 steps; if you wish, you can do it yourself in the garage - read about it in this article.

The turning point leads to the choice between lens PTFs in the Priora and LED PTFs. One way or another, when driving in conditions of insufficient visibility, the light will become much larger. The driver will do everything possible to fulfill his duty to ensure traffic safety. But the fulfillment of this duty will have to be supported.

PTF Priora is not eternal, like other lights

Not only do you need to install the fog lights on the Priora in their standard places for longevity and correct light, and adjust them correctly, you also need to periodically ensure that the contacts do not come off and that there is still light. The lenses in the PTF for the Priora must comply with GOST standards, otherwise it will be another high beam, or cloudy daytime running gear. Correct installation of fog lights on a Priora will protect the glass from fogging, and the driver will not have to worry about the quality of the car's lighting devices.

Coloring masks

The next type of tuning the appearance of optical devices is painting the Priora headlight masks. These changes are also not expensive and will not hurt the car enthusiast’s pocket. The mask is a specific insert that is placed inside the headlight structure. The factory version of the mask is chrome-plated. After painting the mask (traditionally black), the appearance of the car will change quite seriously. Therefore, this tuning of headlights on Priora is quite common.

However, there is a difficulty in its implementation, which lies in the need to completely disassemble the lighting device. Since the Priora's headlights are not dismountable, the glass is securely glued to the body using sealant. However, with the right approach, disassembly can be done. After this, the mask is removed from the headlight, cleaned (the chrome coating is removed), primed and painted. Then the lighting fixture is put back together and installed in its original place.

Adjustment (setting) of PTF according to GOST

It’s not enough to just install PTFs, they also need to be configured, otherwise they will just be spotlights freely shining at an incomprehensible point - without fulfilling their functions. As in the case of other light devices, adjusting PTF on 2170 begins with checking the tire pressure (it should be equal), placing the car on a flat surface opposite a smooth wall at a distance of 5 m from the extreme point of the bumper.

On the wall, mark the distance from the floor to the center of the headlight, then a point 5 cm below. The PTF base on the Priora must be placed so that when the PTF is turned on, the upper limit of the light passes through the lower point marked on the wall. Fog lights, as statistics show, are rarely installed even after purchase, but with the correct settings they will serve as a good assistant.

Standard PTF Priora 1 and 2: article number, price

AvtoVAZ installs fog lights on Lada Priora from Bosch and Avtosvet (Kirzhach). The difference is that Bosch is 40% larger in installation depth than fog lights from Kirzhach. Lighting equipment from BOSCH was installed in luxury versions, and from Kirzhach - in standard ones. Two options for the kit are being considered. The first set is a PTF for Priora 1 (pre-restyling), the second is for Priora 2 (restyling). The difference is the shape of the headlights and installation points. PTFs are sold complete or separately.

For Priora 1:

• PTF set of Kirzhach “Avtosvet” 21700-3743010-52. Price – about 700-800 rubles. One headlight costs about 500 rubles.
• PTF kit Bosch 21700-3743010-54. Price – about 1600-1900 rubles. One headlight costs about 900 rubles.

For Priora 2:

• PTF set Kirzhach “Avtosvet” 21700-3743010-53. Price – about 800-900 rubles. One headlight costs about 500 rubles.
• PTF kit Bosch 21700-3743010-50. Price – about 1000-1200 rubles. One headlight costs about 600 rubles.

Additionally, you will have to purchase an installation kit or just a set of wires for installing fog lights for the Lada Priora-2170; it comes with a button and a relay. The kit costs about 600 rubles.

Optics tuning options

Most of the methods listed below can be done by yourself. You will need a minimum number of tools and specific upgrade kits. Today Lada Priora owners prefer:

• Install more powerful optics or headlights with a different shade of light.
• Carry out tuning by tinting reflectors. The rear and front lights can also be dimmed.
• Install additional lighting (angel eyes) - LED strips significantly transform the appearance of the car.
• Linings - among motorists they are better known as “eyelashes”.

We decided to pay attention to the overlay of additional elements and angel eyes. They do not violate the rules, and even a novice driver can install LED strips independently.

Installing eyelashes

Issue price: 300-600 rubles.

You will find ready-made eyelashes in automotive stores. But if you don’t want to spend money on tuning, you can make LED eyelashes with your own hands. To do this, you need plastic tubes or a solid piece and use a utility knife to cut the material into thin strips; as an alternative, you can use vinyl film.

Eyelash curling is done using a soap solution and an industrial solution. You can attach eyelashes to the car body in different ways: some people choose sealant, others prefer to use glue or double-sided tape. Use your imagination when creating eyelashes, here is a Lada Priora with purchased components in the form of a drop:

Angel eyes

Issue price: 2500-3500 rubles.

This is not only stylish, but also useful Lada tuning, as LED strips improve visibility on our roads. You can attach strips to the rear or front lights. As with the previous option, you can purchase angel eyes or try to make them yourself.

We'll tell you how to do this tuning yourself. To work, you will need the following materials and tools: LEDs, dichloroethane, a drill that matches the diameter of the diodes. The number of diodes is calculated for one “eye”. You can take plexiglass as the main material. For example, from blinds.

The process goes according to the following scheme:

1. We know that headlights have different diameters, so angel eyes should also differ in size;
2. Pour boiling water into a suitable container and place a plexiglass rod there. He should lie there until he softens. You need to bend the ring quickly before they harden. The easiest way to do this is to use jars. Small circles can be made using a jar lid, and large circles can be made with a coffee can;

   
   We bend the arcs for the eyes using a jar and boiling water

3. We take a drill and make holes in the ends for the diodes. As a result, you should get something like this:

   
   We make holes in the material using a drill equal to the diameter of the LEDs

4. Now we make notches on the circles. The distance between them should be 2.5 mm. We put on gloves and take dichloroethane. One drop should be placed into each niche and carefully distributed along the wall of the workpiece;
5. Let's move on to the main step - installing LEDs and connecting elements using wires;
6. We dismantle the necessary headlights and disassemble them. Apply masking tape to the outer part of the glass, and then bend the holders. You can remove the glass using a hair dryer; it should come off quickly;

   
   Connecting diodes to the headlight power supply

7. Install LED strips. For example, “eyes” can be installed instead of dimensions, since new components will fulfill their role. Check that there are gaps between the lenses. We assemble the front or rear lights of the Lada Priora. Tuning is complete.

Fog lamp models

Kirzhach and Bosch are not a death sentence, and if the light of these models does not suit you, there is a good choice from other manufacturers:

• Automotive lighting (Ryazan);
• Beam (Ryazan);
• DAAZ;
• Orion-7 (diode);

Made in China (lensed or diode). The Chinese also sell frames for the restyled version, which are installed instead of a plug and leave a hole exactly for the old-style foglights - on the pre-restyled Priora. A non-diode or non-lensed analogue of fog lights costs much less, but you shouldn’t rush into purchasing - bright white light does not always come with a long service life.

Installing PTF in Priora 1 and 2: are there any differences?

The PTF connection on the Priora differs in the position of the headlights: in the pre-restyling version, the round headlights are located closer to the center of the front end, and in the Priora 2 - restyling: the trapezoidal PTFs are located closer to the edges of the front bumper.

Installing PTF in Priora 2 can be complicated by the fact that instead of a trapezoidal headlight, the headlight of a pre-restyling Priora car will be installed; you will have to stock up on screws and patience in order to secure the headlight well in the frame, and the plastic frame to the bumper. You can install fog lights in a couple of hours, the main thing is to understand the wiring connection order.

The procedure for installing the button inside the cabin, powering the circuit

In order to connect the PTF button, you need to perform the following steps:

• Remove the negative terminal of the battery;
• Disassemble the steering column. It is secured with three plastic latches; they need to be turned 90 degrees. Find the safety block;
• The block holds a self-tapping screw, unscrew it;
• Disassemble the center console by unscrewing four screws: under the ashtray, under the radio and near the OPEN sign. In place of the plug, put the on/off button for the fog lights and connect the blue wire to the safety block, possibly through a relay;
• Using clamps, connect the remaining wires to the heated rear window button.

Self-recovery methods

To get to the reflector, the headlight removed from the car must be disassembled. The first option involves repeatedly passing the hot air of a hair dryer over the seam. The second option involves leaving the headlight in an oven preheated to 100°C for 20 minutes. After opening, all parts are cleaned of sealant residues, washed without using alcohol-containing liquids and dried.

Using metallic tape

Let's start with how to restore the reflector on a headlight using tape foil. All you need is metallized tape, purchased at a hardware store for about 30 rubles. Its adhesive base copes well with high and low temperatures, and the aluminum film is very wear-resistant.

Advantages of the method: durability, low cost, ease of implementation.

Disadvantages: when gluing, irregularities and seams remain, which impair the properties of the reflector.

Using metal foil

Aluminum foil is highly reflective, which allows it to be used in the restoration of headlight reflectors. You will also need some epoxy resin. To maintain a perfectly smooth surface of the foil, the entire pattern is made from plain paper. Then the parts are duplicated from aluminum sheet, a thin layer of resin is applied to the reflector and glued, removing excess resin.

Disadvantages: being between the metal foil and the plastic base, epoxy glue lacks air and takes a very long time to dry. It is almost impossible to remove dried glue. Therefore, such a reflector is not suitable for repeated restoration. With the advent of tape foil, this method is practically not used.

Using chrome paint

Headlight reflector repair using chrome paint is the most popular. No need to cut and glue anything. Paint is sprayed onto the degreased surface of the reflector from a can of white chrome until a uniform, uniform layer is obtained. After painting, the headlight is dried according to the instructions on the can.

Disadvantages: does not tolerate high temperatures. You should try to find heat-resistant chrome paint.

Using mirror film

No less effective is the restoration of the reflector by applying a metallized self-adhesive film of the Oracal brand. Films from the Oracal 351 and Oracal 352 series can withstand temperature changes from -40 to +120°C and, according to the manufacturer, can be used outdoors for two years without deterioration in performance. Since the headlight is a hermetically sealed space, the service life of the self-adhesive film increases.

It is necessary to make templates from paper or ordinary tape that exactly replicate the shape of the reflector. Then cut out the polyester film of a similar shape. Using a hairdryer, glue it onto the prepared surface of the reflector, smoothing it out and preventing the appearance of bubbles. The joints and edges can be additionally treated with chrome paint.

Advantages: reliable manufacturer, excellent reflective effect.

Disadvantages: the price of 1 m2 starts from $5.

As you can see, restoring headlight reflectors is a simple procedure and quite feasible in a garage. Considering the fact that auto repair shops charge an order of magnitude more money for similar work, it always makes sense to try to return the headlight to its previous brightness with your own hands using one of the proposed methods.

Installation of fog lights on Priora, connection diagram

The schematic diagram for connecting fog lights is as follows:

To install PTF, in addition to a set of headlights and an installation kit for connecting fog lights, you will need:

1. insulating tape;
2. heat shrink;
3. corrugation (to insulate the wires);
4. flat screwdriver;
5. Phillips screwdriver;
6. key number 10;
7. key number 13;
8. pliers.

The algorithm for working on installing headlights is as follows:

• Open the hood, remove the negative terminal of the battery. Remove the frill and wipers, dismantle the fastenings using a 13mm wrench. The expansion tank and its mounting bracket must be removed using a 10mm wrench - without this it will simply be inconvenient to work, but putting them back is not difficult.
• Unscrew the screws securing the front bumper. There are 10 of them in total.
• The screws that secure the plugs can be easily unscrewed with a Phillips screwdriver. Fog lights are installed in standard places and securely fastened with self-tapping screws (so that the fastenings do not become loose when driving on uneven roads - because of such a trifle, you will have to return to the garage and remove the bumper).
• Proceed to wiring. It is recommended that all wires be corrugated to prevent chafing, and then secured so that the contacts do not come off.
• In the set of wires, select the longest wire (it is blue). It is “divided” into two “ends”: one is attached to the right headlight, the second to the left. The wire is then pulled into the engine compartment, closer to the master cylinder.
• Pull off the interior trim (a flathead screwdriver will help) and insert the wire into the interior.
• Connect the wire to the safety block.

After work, adjust the fog lights, otherwise all the work will be done in vain!

What do you need to know when choosing paint for a reflector?

Lighting devices of any car consist of the following elements: body, reflector, mask, diffuser, lighting lamps.

Headlight parts

Most often the mask that holds the reflector is painted. Alkyd or acrylic paint is used for it. To update the reflector, special chrome paint is used. When choosing paint, remember that the temperature inside the headlight is very high. Therefore, you should choose one that is resistant to thermal influences. The paint must withstand temperatures of more than 100 degrees Celsius. Usually the manufacturer indicates this on the can or in the specification. Chrome paint and mask paint can be purchased at an auto body shop. It is also better to buy a primer for plastic here. It is advisable to take consumables from the same manufacturer. This will ensure high-quality painting.