Foggy Headlights

[Scavenger]

My R53 spent most of its daytime life in parking garages shielded from the sun until I moved to NC. Parking Garages aren't so common here. Anyone with a first gen (or even second gen) that has kept there car outside knows the damage the sun can do. In particular, the headlights. Mine had become really yellowed and fogged. I considered replacement and even though I can do the labor myself, which involves swapping the bulbs, washer mechanism and wiring, total cost is still something like $1300.00

 

Pelican Parts: (Cheapest)

Drivers - 63-12-7-198-739-BOE - $652.25

Passengers - 63-12-7-198-740-BOE - $652.25

 

So, I found a tutorial on how to restore them myself. I think it is a better job than the store-bought resto-kits that can be found in the auto shops. Slightly more expensive, but still far less than $1300!!!

 

Anyhow... so far, I've done my driver's side headlight, so I wanted to post results for all to see. The tutorial I used is found on Youtube -

 

 

It took me about 2 hours and I think the results are quite impressive!

 

Here's a picture:

Edited March 1, 2016 by Scavenger

[TGGRRR (Ali)]

BA is bright eyed and cheery. I need to do this for Tigger

[1975_mini]

Very Nice, it is a very simple process I recommend that anyone to do it. Wet sand till the water runs clear, and you have removed the oxidation and any light scratches.

 

Any light abrasive will work (i.e. toothpaste if you want to be really cheap)

 

Looks great!!!:top:

[Scavenger]

UPDATE::::

This evening, I got around to finishing my project by completing the passenger side. Here is a pic. I think it looks great!

 

 

I'm very happy with the results and affordability of this process, and I recommend it to those not wanting to spend over thousand for new parts.

[Scavenger]

BA is bright eyed and cheery. I need to do this for Tigger

 

You should... or Mark should :laugh: Once the clearcoat has had plenty of time to set and I make any final touch ups, I'll post a full picture that'll better show the results.

 

Very Nice, it is a very simple process I recommend that anyone to do it. Wet sand till the water runs clear, and you have removed the oxidation and any light scratches.

 

Any light abrasive will work (i.e. toothpaste if you want to be really cheap)

 

Looks great!!!:top:

 

Yep, I tried toothpaste first, but the amount of elbow grease you'll need and the final result really just isn't worth the time. I wanted a result that would last a while, I hope several years! This seems to be it, but time will tell.

 

Thanks for the compliments! :top: Now it is time for some :motor:

[1975_mini]

Looks great. Did the kit come with a UV sealant to use after wet sanding.

[Scavenger]

 

Looks great. Did the kit come with a UV sealant to use after wet sanding.

No, it's not a kit, I bought everything separately, basically following the list in the tutorial. After sanding, I sprayed it with Clear paint.

[scythefwd]

Have you had a chance to run the lights and see if your light pattern is still good or is it more diffuse than when it was new?

 

Is the light output vastly improve?

[ucf3]

Clear paint? sounds like a sealant must have been applied. BTW, been meaning to ask, has anyone ever tried using plain (non-gel) toothpaste to get the lens clear before? curious how well it works.

Edited November 9, 2016 by ucf3

[Lt. Dan]

If people want, I can get club members the BG restoration kit at a really good discount.

[1975_mini]

Clear paint? sounds like a sealant must have been applied. BTW, been meaning to ask, has anyone ever tried using plain (non-gel) toothpaste to get the lens clear before? curious how well it works.

 

I have use regular old tooth paste it works for light oxidation, toothpaste is just a mild abrasive compound like any product to you would buy for the headlights. I takes some elbow grease. If they are cloudy, you are better going with a wet sanding with find sand paper. Start at 1000 and work up to 2500, then seal them. Just my opinion

[ucf3]

Nice, thanks for the tip 1975_mini.

[ucf3]

If people want, I can get club members the BG restoration kit at a really good discount.

 

Love to get some BG restore. Anything to help my oil burning engine. Let me know when you're ready to buy.