Cloudy Headlamps

[Spaz]

i had really cloudy/yellowing headlamps on the '94 marquis so i picked up a prematex headlamp restoration kit at the auto parts store and did the wet sanding with 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 grit sandpaper and then rinsed the lamps off and polished them with the supplied plastic polish they looks pretty much 90% new i'll let ya know in a few hours how they've improved in nighttime driving

[85crownHPP]

if they are bad enough, you fail sate inspection here for clouded headlamps

[PantherP74]

What I don't understand is why people spend time and money trying to refurbish old crappy ones... when a set of two new ones can be had on ebay for $50- $75. I'd rather save up and buy those than waste my time trying to make old ones usable again.

That being said, I applaud those who take time and do things the hard way. I'm curious to see how those turned out. I'm looking for a home for my old ones... they're hardly yellowed.

[Spaz]

i spent 10 bucks so no big deal i noticed after i was done my pass side headlamp has a little condensation inside, but otherwise they look new

[Spaz]

update- went out for a late night drive- better headlamp performance than my parents 2002 camry.

[85crownHPP]

yes... $10 and some elbow grease - the satisfaction is priceless
Thats why people waste thier time trying to refurbish old crappy ones...

[drock96marquis]

Now that you have restored them, use Meguiar's PlastiX regularly (say..... every time you wax the car) to maintain


It works great to keep the headlamps looking new:

[Spaz]

thanks for the advice. I'll pickup some plasticx later today.
By the way, congrats on Panther of the Month! Well deserved.

[mrltd]

To get rid of the condensation, take the light out and drill a small hole at the bottom of the light to drain the water.

[P72Ford]

To get rid of the condensation, take the light out and drill a small hole at the bottom of the light to drain the water.

This will work, and I almost did it with my H4 conversion, except I didn't want to mess up the housings. I spent a fortune and then the damn things devloped lots of condensation right away. I wanted to smash all of them.

My solution was clear silicone. Run a bead around where the lens connects to the body (smooth it out and make it look nice). Also anywhere on the backside where water/ moisture may get in (this was the culprit for me). I didn't drill the holes, just sealed the backsides of the lamps... no problems since. The small tube of silicone was a little more than a buck at the local parts store. make sure it is 100% silicone, as this is 100% water resistant.

You can find all kinds of remedies online. I've even heard of putting the housings in the oven, baking them for a short time, and then pressing the lens against the housing to reseal (not something I'd try). Supposedly the plastic the lens is made of (polycarbonate?) doesn't bond well. (Not the best thing to makes lenses of then, no?)

[Spaz]

the condensation is currently concentrated in the area of the hi-beam so it isn't an issue as far as functionality goes. maybe if i have the time i'll take the unit out and address the problem

[86GmLsCoupe]

The PlastiX stuff is very good like Drock96marquis was saying. You just have to keep polishing it until the abrasives in it break down which was my first mistake when I tried it. I do prefer the upkeep on my sealed beams though, I just put some Rain-X on them which which is my version of the Mercedes headlight wipers.

[Spaz]

i wish i had sealed beams they seem so simple

[drock96marquis]

If you have condensation, remove the housing and seal around the edge with clear or black rtv. Once cured, pour some rubbing alchohol inside and shake it around - this will get rid of any dirt and moisture inside. Allow to air dry in a non-humid area. Once dry, lubricate the o-ring for the bulb with dielectric grease on reassembly.

[P72Ford]

If you have condensation, remove the housing and seal around the edge with clear or black rtv. Once cured, pour some rubbing alchohol inside and shake it around - this will get rid of any dirt and moisture inside. Allow to air dry in a non-humid area. Once dry, lubricate the o-ring for the bulb with dielectric grease on reassembly.

+1

I let mine dry out in the air conditioning for a day and a half. I also sealed them up in the air conditioning to avoid humid air entering the housing.