fogged/yellowed headlight lenses

gustavohuber · Post by **gustavohuber** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 1:35 am

Hi there, so I've read some mentions of wiping out lenses that are fogged (like mine are), but after I popped off those little snap clips, the lens didn't seem to want to come off.. and I didn't want to force it.. any ideas?
Thanks!
/Gus

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 1:52 am

You shouldn't need to remove the lenses. The damage to the lens is typically just on the outside surface.

If you do want to remove the lens for whatever reason, though, you'll have to bake the headlamp to loosen the caulk attaching the lens to the housing.. Heat the oven up to 200 degrees, shut it off, and put the lamp in for maybe 10 or 15 minutes. Then slowly and gently wedge the lens away from the housing.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 1:52 am

You clean the outside, not the inside, but i you wanted to take it apart, you can pop int in the oven for a few minutes on the lowest setting to soften the seal around the lens.

Steve

gustavohuber · Post by **gustavohuber** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 1:56 am

wow, thanks guys! You posted at exactly the same time! Neat!
/Gus

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 7:04 pm

Just in case you wanted it, here's the thread all about the de-yellowing..
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=739
I've found that not nearly so many steps are required. Just get yourself some #0000 Steel Wool and go at it with some kind of cleaner, or even water. Later, move to wax, and keep scrubbing 'til you get the results you want. You'll start to see the difference, and eventually, the lenses will *sparkle* again, and you'll know you're about done. Try using a combination of rounded and straight across strokes. I only spent about 10-20mins per light, and then shot 'em with a good douse of clear-coat, so the yellow won't come back.

You'll see fine again...

J-MoNeY · Post by **J-MoNeY** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 12:43 am

91legacy_sleeper wrote: combination of rounded and straight across strokes

gustavohuber · Post by **gustavohuber** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:23 am

Thanks, Sleeper.. you live around SeaTac? I'll look for a badass legacy with pretty lamps next time I fly home

/G

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 7:00 pm

Don't look too hard for a "badass legacy" with pretty lamps, hehe, you WON'T find me.

I have a nice-er grille, though.

TurboSubie · Post by **TurboSubie** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:27 am

I just hit mine with a buffer and some minor compounds and they look like new:)

gustavohuber · Post by **gustavohuber** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:41 am

actually wound up using WD-40 and a scotch-brite scrubber sponge.. good as new! I guess mine were "hazy" more than "rough"

Post by **Legacy777** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:51 pm

I just want to note that pretty much all these methods will result in the yellowing coming back at some point. The clear coating is the only thing that will seal the plastic, and keep it from yellowing again.

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 7:23 pm

I clear coated mine, Josh, don't fret.

I even clearcoated the set I sold Jason, too.
The whole point of the project was to clean them off so you COULD clearcoat them, is the way I thought about it.

Post by **Legacy777** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 7:31 pm

gotcha....I thought you guys were just cleaning and not clear coating.

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 8:04 pm

The fumes are the best part, maaaaaan!!!
I think I ended up using an inferior clear coat, though.. if you look at the lenses from an angle, they look yellowed again, at least they do on my 92s.. The 91s sparkled after I did 'em up. I was so jealous, but I needed them to go.

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fogged/yellowed headlight lenses

fogged/yellowed headlight lenses

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