faded dirty head lights

[bison]

So how does one clean up these faded dirty lenses? 95 GMC
I polished the outside and they are fairly clean now. but the inside has a lot of dirt stuck to the glass.
I tried washing them out with windex and a brush but have not had to much luck.:nonod:

Any idea's folkes

 

[NVW]

Use Search!:rof:






J/K, I've seen posts about polishing the outside but nothing about the inside.

 

[JiFaire]

http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/sh...ar-Lens-Polish&p=179293&viewfull=1#post179293



I'm with Leo ... how did you manage to get them dirty on the inside? Somebody forget that whole 'sealed unit' thing??

 

[bison]

For starters,i did use search,but it it came up blank.

Sec, they are not "sealed beam" persecause it you dunk them glass first in water,water seeps in along the seam.

 

[ak diesel driver]

ahh but it not supposed to leak. How about some sand and water and shake it real well. hardest part would be getting the sand back out

 

[bison]

i have so the feeling using sand will make it worse.:agreed:
It'll clean the dirt off but wi'll leave it dull.
Ask Leo,he lives in chinook country,he prob knows what sand does to his truck

I left them soaking in a pail with diswash soap for the day, will see how it looks tonight.

 

[Pepperidge]

I have heard of heating them in an oven(not sure of the technique or temperature)

and opening the housing to get get them clean and polished, then gluing/resealing them...

 

[DEERE3594]

one word: tooth paste!

 

[Pepperidge]

I have heard of heating them in an oven(not sure of the technique or temperature)

and opening the housing to get get them clean and polished, then gluing/resealing them...

here's some more info on cleaning the inside...

http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/headlights/index.html


Oven Temperature: about 175-200F for about 5-10 mins, depending on the actual temperature of the oven. Leave the headlights in there until they are somewhat warm to the touch. Start at one end of the headlight, and use a dull object such as a butter knife of dull screwdriver to separate the headlights.

Spray Plexus plastic cleaner to clean the surface.

Wipe off with microfiber.



Apply Novus heavy scratch remover.(or Meguiars plastx)


Buff out scratches at about 4000rpm.


Once the cleaning is done, put the cleaned two pieces back into
the oven to allow the existing rubber sealant to warm up.
Leave for about 2-3 minutes. Take them out, and apply the
silicone sealant to the two pieces. Put them back together (requires a bit of force).
Optionally, you can add another bead of silicone sealant once the pieces have been put back together.


​

 

[bison]

Good info Pep,good to know cause i have a few lights with a busted housing but good lenses.
Thanks.

But soaking in the pail did the trick of softening the dirt up enough and with a small 1/2" paintbrush trough the bulb hole i could wipe it off.
a couple rinses under the tap and they're clean as a wistle.

 

[Mad Maxx]

There ya go.

I was gonna say that some have Swirled Rubbing Alcohol around on the Inside and Dumped it, and it Cleared / Cleaned things up, but on Lamps as Old as yours, I dunno what it would do to the Chrome Reflector. Might make it Peel.

 

[HighSierra86]

Honestly, for the price of new lights, it might be worth looking into replacing them. Rock Auto has some that are very reasonably priced. Dont know if anyone has bought a set from them or not though....

 

[WarWagon]

Honestly, for the price of new lights, it might be worth looking into replacing them. Rock Auto has some that are very reasonably priced. Dont know if anyone has bought a set from them or not though....

I got a set of new lights for the pickup and burb from a local place here. About $50.00 each complete with bulbs and the plastic mounts. Made in Taiwan, but, OEM style - nothing fancy.

The difference in light output vs. the old polished faded lenses is substantial! They also make the truck and burb look way better and newer.

Not only do the old lenses cut down the light output, but, the reflector in the housing gets dirty or oxidizes. Both cut the light output down.

It is enough of a light difference to replace the housings outright on older stuff.

 

[bison]

Warwagon,where did you get these lights,my local wrecker wants allready $50 for used ones.New here are $150 plus less bulbs.
I need one for the 98,got rock hole in it.