Cleaning exterior headlamps December 07, 2021, 12:44:19 pm Has anyone been successful in restoring the clarity of headlights? If so, please share your method.
Re: Cleaning exterior headlamps Reply #1 – December 07, 2021, 07:08:37 pm Quote from: Edwin Gaffney - December 07, 2021, 12:44:19 pmHas anyone been successful in restoring the clarity of headlights? If so, please share your method.From Ed:First allow me to say that I understand that a good many RV and LD owners believe that trying to cleanup the "fog" on headlights is a waste of time. And maybe it is. Nevertheless, I wasted some of my time over the last 3 days cleaning up our headlights. New headlights are not in the budget right now.I used a polishing compound that is reported to be equal to 3000 grit sandpaper. I did two (2) treatments of polishing compound by hand over the course of 2 days. By my count, I did more than 1000 polishing motions on each headlight. At the end of day 2, I cleaned the headlights with vinegar. On day 3, I applied two (2) coats of synthetic wax. Now we'll just see how the headlights hold up over the next few months.
Re: Cleaning exterior headlamps Reply #2 – December 07, 2021, 10:35:53 pm I have cleaned headlights on some of my cars. I have had relatively good luck. I used a Mother’s kit that did not require special tools but could be used with a buffer (that I don’t have). I got good results and the job lasted about a year before I noticed the lenses fogging again. This was on my daughter’s car. She was in college and the car was only washed and waxed when she came home or when I visited. (But she did get a free ride through grad school, so no complaints). I think you can do this a few times but eventually the lens to the headlight is just to far gone. Still that is a few years you don’t need to buy headlights.I have had friends that made cutout plastic lens covers for the their headlights out of thin dark plastic. He would take the covers off when driving. The downside to waiting is at some point it could be difficult to find replacement headlights. John
Re: Cleaning exterior headlamps Reply #3 – December 08, 2021, 02:44:08 am Hi Ed G; There was(is) a show on TV, (Science channel?) called "How things are made". One episode showed plastic headlight assemblies being produced. The last step was to spray it with a UV protective layer. All robotic. That layer protects it until worn off, or you intentionally abrade it off. Polishing my trucks headlights worked well. I then sprayed it with 3 coats of Meguiar's spray coat. Keep Clear Headlight Coating | Meguiar's I'm sure competitors make an equivalent spray. PlastX with a portable drill motor, 3" flannel wheel and a water spray bottle. Don't get it too hot. Painters tape to protect surrounding parts. It seems to work and lasts about a year +. Then I clean it again and spray it again. Eventually I plan to replace the entire housing assembly(s) and go to HID, or LED. Not there yet. The plastic is getting thinner. The Lazy Daze; after about 17 years I replaced the housing, and now about 5 years, still good. Parked away from sunlight in the driveway. It has a row of white LED's, and Sylvania super white halogen bulbs. Not the one I used but similar. More complicated after 2004. 92-04 Ford Econoline Van E150/ E250/ E350/ E450 Crystal Headlights Set - Chrome RonB 1 Likes
Re: Cleaning exterior headlamps Reply #4 – December 08, 2021, 12:37:10 pm UV rays from direct sunlight cause damages to the clear coatings on the surface of the headlamps. In addition, the clear polycarbonate material will turn yellow over time under sunlight. The best way to prevent fogginess and yellowing is to use aluminum foil to completely cover the headlamps when the LD is parked in a campground or in an open air storage. I use this method to keep our 2004 MB headlamps in clear condition, although there are some scratches accumulated over the years. Use aluminum foil to cover headlamps is just like to put cover on tires, all to prevent UV damage. 2 Likes
Re: Cleaning exterior headlamps Reply #5 – December 09, 2021, 12:36:40 pm After polishing several sets of plastic headlights. I have given up. All started yellowing again within six months, the result of removing the UV layer, even after using UV sprays made for this purpose. It seems impossible to recreate the Factory coating and to retain the sharp Factory focus. Polishing multiple times destroys the focusing ability of the lens.Replacement of the headlights is the only long-term solution headlights for our E-series, luckily they are inexpensive, see Ron’s link.The headlights are held in with two springs clips than can be difficult or easy, depending on the vehicle.Newer cars with headlights having complex curves usually are expensive, many times requiring the Factory replacement, rather than a cheaper after-market headlight replacement.Larry
Re: Cleaning exterior headlamps Reply #6 – December 09, 2021, 01:49:50 pm When I looked at doing my headlights with the polishing kits the cost of the materials came up to almost half the cost of new headlights. Putting in the new lights was relatively easy and certainly quicker than sanding polishing etc. The new headlamp come with new bulbs which is another bonus as you can keep the old bulbs as spares.Amazon.com: For Ford Econoline Van Headlight 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002... 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Cleaning exterior headlamps Reply #7 – December 09, 2021, 04:40:03 pm Sadly tho, newer headlights are @$300.
Re: Cleaning exterior headlamps Reply #8 – December 10, 2021, 09:05:36 am toothpaste and washcloth when needed.
Topic: Cleaning exterior headlamps (Read 332 times)
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Topic: Cleaning exterior headlamps (Read 332 times)
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