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 Post subject: Headlights failed MOT
PostPosted:Fri Feb 17, 2012 2:30 pm 
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Big Block

Joined:Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:47 pm
Posts:87
Car Details:1998 Camaro, V6 3.8, Auto, Red, T-Tops
Location:Scotland
Might need to replace my headlights as the glass is so cloudy hardly any light gets thru!!!!
Expensive to replace, so wondering if I remove them if the glass comes off or is it a sealed unit?
I think they just need a good polish inside to sort it!
Its a 1998 Camaro.

Regards
DS


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Headlights failed MOT

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PostPosted:Fri Feb 17, 2012 7:21 pm 
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Big Block

Joined:Sun Jan 01, 2012 5:00 pm
Posts:342
Car Details:Couple of '70 Mustangs
Some headlamps can be dismantled for cleaning or internal repair. I would look at it like this: Ifd you are going to replace them anyway, what do you have to lose by having a go (carefully)? Quite often they can be polished to get rid of the cloudiness so it's worth a shot IMHO.
Cheers, Martin

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PostPosted:Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:29 pm 
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Big Block
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Joined:Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:41 pm
Posts:2451
You can buy a kit specifically for polishing cloudy lenses back to good health, just do a Google seach & you should find it, there's also a youtube video out there. The cloudyness is normally on the outside only, hth

cheers...Nige

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PostPosted:Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:54 am 
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Big Block

Joined:Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:47 pm
Posts:87
Car Details:1998 Camaro, V6 3.8, Auto, Red, T-Tops
Location:Scotland
Cheers guys, gonna try Meguiars PlastRX, seems to be pretty good.
There is also some white residue inside the one of the lens as well, was there when I bought the car, hence why I wanted to get inside the housing.

Regards
DS


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PostPosted:Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:21 am 
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Big Block
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Joined:Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:58 pm
Posts:479
Car Details:'99 Z28 A4 Modified :D
Best ET: 12.0 @ 116 mph (0-60ft of 1.8 s)
Location:Leiden-Netherlands (car isnt though :( )
wow your MOT tester is pretty harsh, dirt attenuated ligh more than the cloudiness. Did he actually shw you the light intensity report and how much it failed by??


Either way (rant over) you can easily get the lenses off:

1; Purchase some RTV sealent/gasket maker. Either in Black or Grey (stock lights have grey on at present)
2: Remove the light from the vehicle and remove all bulbs and motors (height adjusters if you have them and they come out) and metal clips
3: Put the kitchen oven on to about 80-90 c (hopefully its electric / if gas just preheat to whatever gas mark this equated to), leave to pre-heat
4: put the light units into the oven for about 15-20 mins. (if gas oven turn off the gas before you put them in , dont want and fires, just leave then in warm oven
5: Remove a light (stagger putting them in an taking them out cause you can only part one at once) and use an old table knife of putty knife and work around the edge of the lens carefully parting the light and lens. If they are warm enough they should easily part
6: Polish whatever you want to your hearts content. work down sandpaper grits , then onto like G3 compound then fine polish. Do a search as others have said for best stuff
7: After removing all old sealer put a bead of new in and stick the lights back together and put on the metal clips. You may want to bead the outer edges too (i did just to be on safe side so no water gets in)
8: Put back in car, nice and bright :)

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'99 Z28 A4, 253 LS2 heads, 228R TSP cam, Patriol Dual Springs, Double roller timing chain, LS6 ported oil pump, OBX LTs, 3" True Duals, LS6 intake, 42lb/hr injectors, SLP lid + bellow, EFIlive COS 3 Speed Denisty Tune (self tuned), 3200 Circle D stall, CAI mod, KYB AGXs, Eibach Pro Front Springs, UMI panhard, LCA + Brackets, Strut Brace, Custom Subframe connectors, WS6 axle with 3.42s, 18" American Racing Rebels, US mirrors, 93 tail lights, 3.5 inch custom cowl hood. Mickey T's Street DRs on Vette-ZR1 wheels for the strip !
Best ET: 12.0 @ 116 mph (on a 0-60ft of 1.8 s)
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PostPosted:Fri Mar 02, 2012 1:46 pm 
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Big Block

Joined:Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:47 pm
Posts:87
Car Details:1998 Camaro, V6 3.8, Auto, Red, T-Tops
Location:Scotland
OK update.

Got it passed its MOT :clap:
The lights were really cloudy, really bad.
Bought the Maguires PlastRX for £8 off fleabay, worked ok.
Found that a 60p tube of toothpaste works just as well, if not better!!!
Lights don't look like new, but about 70% better than before and can see much better in the dark now.

Didn't go down the oven route, but thanks Maudy.

Regards
DS


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