headlight haze inside light

[lil9er]

Can the lens be removed to clean the haze off of the inside of the housing on a 93 Grand Marq? Or am I better off just replacing the assemblies.

I found a TSB on it for covering the breather hole but it don't say if you can clean it out any way.

[Chuck Norris]

We have a guy who did it on about a 2000 Crown Vic. It can probably be done on your car as well. I have a 1993 Towny and I cleaned only the outside of the lens with Meguiars PlastX, available at any Autozone/Pepboys/Walmart, and it made a huge difference. When our fellow member Zwack took his apart and cleaned it inside and out, it looked brand new. I think he resealed it with something like shower caulk. But you could PM him and ask, or search the Deatailing and Accessories forum. Sorry if I'm not alot of help... I'm a perman00b.

[Rizzo]

Can I take them apart - YES

Can I clean the inside without taking them apart -YES again. A rubbing alcohol and water solution will accomplish this.

Can I clean the outside - YES. This depends on the level of effort you are willing to put into it.

Good enough is effort driven.
Perfection is result driven.

[87_crown_vic]

problem with cleaning them that way on outside is it removes the uv protectant. you will need to reseal them with something or the haze WILL return sooner if not a few weeks.

[Rizzo]

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1250727#Post1250727

im gonna get kicked out for all the links huh....

[Nathan in MI]

No, you're gonna get kicked out for all the DEAD links. :p

[Rizzo]

Which one dont work ?

[Nathan in MI]

The one you posted...perhaps one has to be logged in in order to see it?

[Chuck Norris]

I think you have to be a CVN member for a CVN link to work, or you have to be set up for it to "remember you" so the link will take you there. I'm not a CVN member so they never work for me.

[Mercury93]

My headlights were pretty nasty when I got the car. A few rounds with Meguairs PlastX and they're fine now. Not crystal clear, but good enough.

[Rizzo]

Since dRock wrote it for another site...Can I legally Copy paste the whole thing. I will also leave in the "Credits" ?

[Nathan in MI]

Since dRock wrote it for another site...Can I legally Copy paste the whole thing. I will also leave in the "Credits" ?

I highly doubt he'd mind...he's a member here, as well, though he hasn't been around much lately.

[drock96marquis]

If the haze is just from moisture and dust, simply remove the headlamp assembly, take out the bulbs and pour in some rubbing alcohol. Cover the holes and shake it around and then dump out. Let air dry.

Any dirt should now be flushed out. If they are still hazy on the INSIDE the lens or reflector itself is damaged. If the reflector is hazing you can't do anything about it short of applying a chrome film. The lens can be polished provided you heat the lamp lightly enough in an oven and then separate the lens from the housing. Then you can polish the backs of the lenses.

To recondition the outside of the lamps wets and them through the grits until you get above 2000. Then you can polish with a clear plastic polish (ie PlastiX)


It is easier to just replace them. Look around for a good deal on a pair.
Regular application of PlastiX on the new or restored lamps will keep them from getting shabby.

These babies are original and they look just like new thanks to regular upkeep:

[Rizzo]

Well that sovles that huh...

[drock96marquis]

Here's that article Rizzo was trying to post:

If your composite headlamps are cloudy, faded, or yellowed - this procedure is for you!

I will be demonstrating this on our Navigator; however, It can be applied to any vehicle with composite headlamp lenses.

Before:


Materials and tools:
-Automotive grade sand paper, from 400 to 2500 grit
-Automotive grade masking tape
-Meguiar's PlastiX plastic polish
-Applicator pad(s)
-Microfiber towel(s)
-Tack cloth(s)
-Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #17 clear plastic polish (optional) and / or Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #44 Color Restore (Marine/Fiberglass) (optional)
-Dual-Action polisher or drill w/ Mother's powerball (optional)


If your lenses are in pretty good shape and just need a little polishing, please skip to step #7

1. Tape off all around the headlamp.
   
   
2. Sand down the composite lens past the major imperfections with ~400 grit auto sand paper. Some may be too deep to repair, so have a feel for when enough is enough.
   
   
   
3. Follow up through the grits until you finish off with AT LEAST 2000 grit (I recommend working to 2500)
   You will notice the lens will become more opaque as you progress to finer grits.
   
   
   
   
   (last picture is only 1000 grit - you get the idea)
   
4. Wipe the lens clean with a tack cloth or similar.
   
5. Using a small buffer, mother's power ball, or similar (hand application is fine, just tedious) polish the lens using Meguiar's Mirror Glaze fiberglass/gelcoat color restorer (#44) or Mirror Glaze #17 (plastic polish), then wipe clean with a microfiber. Some pressure may be required to remove any deeper sanding scratches.
   
   
6. The lens should be looking VERY clear now. Optionally, follow the #44 up with ~2 applications of Mirror Glaze #17 (clear plastic polish) You can do this by hand or with the buffer. Again, wipe clean with microfiber after.
   
7. Last, apply Meguiar's PlastiX by hand on an applicator or with your polisher and buff to high gloss with a microfiber. The lens should look like brand new now.
   
   
   
   

***Note, for those who wish to do a less involved procedure, sand to 2500 grit or higher and then follow that with a buff with Meguiar's PlastiX. Results should still be very good. Make sure to work the PlastiX until it breaks down. Wipe clean with a microfiber
(I would recommend using something in between sanding<>plastiX, though. Even rubbing compound or scratch remover will work if you're in a pinch)

After you do all this, apply the PlastiX at regular intervals to keep your lenses looking like good

Having nice, clear headlamps provides better light output plus it makes the car look nicer!

I should mention, nearly any mild abrasive polish will at least make an improvement from their current condition. Many have reported success using rubbing compound, scratch removers, even aluminum polish.



If your lamps are cloudy and have moisture or dirt on the INSIDE, give this a try:

1. Remove the headlamp from the car and take out the bulb.
   
2. Pour some rubbing alcohol in the housing through the bulb opening, and cover with your hand. Shake the lamp around some.
   
3. Dump it out, and repeat.
   
4. Allow to air dry as long as needed in a non-humid environment until all the alcohol has evaporated.
   
5. The lens should be much cleaner on the inside and there should be no more moisture.
   
6. Use black or clear RTV silicone and make a bead along the edge between the lens and housing mating surface (optional)
   
7. Install the bulb while the headlamp is still clear, in a non-humid environment. Make sure the o-ring on the bulb is good. I like to put a little silicone di-electric grease on it as well to make sure no moisture gets in. I like to also lubricate the seal on the spin on cover over the bulbs (if applicable)
   
8. Then just reinstall housing(s)

This worked great for me on our Navigator. One of the lenses was loose and moisture got it as well as some film of dirt. Looked nasty. I resealed lens with RTV black, allowed to cure then did the alcohol trick. I also installed new bulbs while I did this, been fine ever since and lamps are nice and clean inside.


****Note: If the lens is cloudy on the inside from UV damage/fading, then you will have to separate lens from housing to polish with PlastiX or similar, or preferably just replace them

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1250727#Post1250727