fogging of the headlight assembly lenses

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fogging of the headlight assembly lenses

April 08, 2017, 02:44:20 pm

I have looked back in some of the older posts but did not see anything posted recently as to a solution for the fogging of the headlight assembly lenses. I have read about polishing kits available and some here even suggested tooth past (I believe mint was best) but these solutions were temporary with mixed results. I am wondering if some one has found a inexpensive replacement solution which worked well. I do not plan to upgrade the bulbs past stock, just want a good Headlight assembly setup that has the same light adjustments of the stock ones that are in there now. We found in our last trip that we were driving at night at times more and this situation will probably prevail in the future so we want at least the lighting the LD came with when it was new. Any insight would be greatly appreciated...

Karen ~ Liam
98 ~ MB

Re: fogging of the headlight assembly lenses

Reply #1 – April 08, 2017, 03:03:54 pm

Hi Karen & Liam,

I just looked on Rock Auto and it looks like you can purchase new headlight assemblies, including a bulb, for under $25 for each side. I would probably do that if polishing the lenses is not appealing to you.

Steve K.

Re: fogging of the headlight assembly lenses

Reply #2 – April 08, 2017, 05:07:09 pm

Thanks Steve for info about Rock Auto I looked there and a few other places, there are quite a few choices outthere although the reviews on many of these units are not stellar in fact some said that they had to return them because they could not make them fit, others stated that one side would fit but not the other. I have a tendency to read the negative reviews first to get the possible down side and then balance it with the upside reviews if the downside reviews tank the product. I have replaced these style units on other cars with great success but all of those had good reviews.

~Liam
98~MB

Re: fogging of the headlight assembly lenses

Reply #3 – April 08, 2017, 09:03:56 pm

My son's last few cars have needed this treatment. We've used a 3M kit from the auto parts store, with fair results. I have a chemical-only kit standing by for my wife's Mini. The toothpaste solution uses brands with abrasives in them, like original Colgate in tubes. There are various traditional polishing compounds that will get right to it, but you need to keep the heat down. Whatever you use, get some automotive clearcoat spray paint with UV protectant in it to spray the lenses when you're done. Otherwise, you'll be back at it next Spring.

Chip

Re: fogging of the headlight assembly lenses

Reply #4 – April 09, 2017, 12:35:13 am

Hi Karen and Liam. About Feb 25th '17 I posted a list of tail lights and other outside lights I had replaced. I included a picture of one headlight that I replaced. From that post:
"My headlight housings were getting dull and turning yellow, so I recently replaced them also. I bought from Spec D Tuning. They don't seem to sell direct anymore. sparktecmotorsports .com sells them; Euro style 92-06 Ford Econoline chrome/clear. SKU LH-Econ92JM-RS, for $98.79 per pair. These have 6 white LED's across the bottom that I hooked up to the running light part of the turn signal. Could be used for DRL also. I also found similar lights from K2Motor on e-bay; chrome/clear "92-06 Ford E350-450, for $76.69. I didn't like the black plastic ones.
   I did have a problem fitting the new supplied release bar (Chromed). Evidently it was made too narrow. I used the old Ford bar which was black and blended into the background better. The plastic adjuster came from the old bulb assembly.
For new headlight bulbs I got Sylvania 9007 Silver Star Ultra, 4100K, high performance bulbs from Amazom at $36.03 a pair. These were nice and white, not the bluish colored ones."
   As Steve K noted there are a lot of replacements available for less. I hope this helped, RonB

Re: fogging of the headlight assembly lenses

Reply #5 – April 11, 2017, 12:14:17 pm

Liam
I have tried polishing several sets of headlights with limited success.
Once the the outer UV resistant coating has been removed, the plastic will discolor again within months.
Every time the lens is polished, it distorts the shape of the focusing lenses, which leads to more light scatter and less light where you want it.
I have not found a spray or wipe on coating that provides decent UV protection to newly polished housings.
In other words, I won't bother trying to polish any more headlights.

I have installed three sets of TYC replacement housings, from Rock Auto, on E450s. They focus as well as the originals .
For $50, you get two new housings and bulbs.
These ares a "one size fits all" part and may required changing the spacers, on the rear of the housings, to match the originals.

Larry

Re: fogging of the headlight assembly lenses

Reply #6 – April 11, 2017, 03:06:25 pm

Thanks Larry, I was not planning on polishing since I have read elsewhere about the limited success most have had. The TYC housings seem to make the most sense and are available from Amazon with shipping and some small return to help support the LDO website. Ron B installed the Euro with LED band under which seems intriguing so that you have the LED on when you put on your running lights. But I think for this first time for us, I want a simple solution.
I will probably get the TYC and install them and report back here as to how it goes...

~Liam
98~LD

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