garrett376

In search of something to do since TV stinks and my wife and I were feeling lazy, I decided to clean up the insides of my headlamps which had a foggy appearance. I thought you all might be interested with the improvement! See if you can tell which headlight was cleaned...

garrett376

I used some isopropol rubbing alcohol poured through the lower air vent. I poured some in and then swirled it back and forth, then poured it back out of the vent hole. The vent hole is exposed by removing this piece which looks like an air filter of sorts...

Kahdmus

Garrett, hmmm...not quite sure what this is suggesting.....

--Howard

(I had to say something before it was processed though the minds of mssrs. Boggiano or Raby!)

garrett376

I knew one of you guys would say something... just thought I'd provoke a little humor...

investlt

Garrett,

After you were done, did you notice improvement in your headlights? It seems like a quick and easy thing to do....true?

Andy Roe

I recently did this with my fog lights. They did not clean up as well as I'd hope for as they were peppered with stone chips! It's a shame you can't just buy the glass.

Make sure you've got the seals on correctly otherwise you'll get condensation in the inside (don't ask me how I know!!)

garrett376

Hi John. I found a huge difference, which you can tell from the first image I posted as the right-hand headlamp has a very clear glass. I got $50US Sylvania ST lights a week ago and they looked so-so, not much different than the standard 9004 halogens that were in there. But when I cleaned the lenses, the lights are now super white, just like I was expecting from these more expensive bulbs. I ended up using a paper towel taped to a screw driver to get every last drop of the alcohol, and to scrub some extra dirty areas.

It appears that little "filter" might be a dessicant of some sort, to help with pressure release and take out moisture... just a guess! If not, it should be!

garrett376

Andy, I wish the glass was separate on the foglights, too. One of mine has a nice 1mm hole from a rock! Thank goodness it seldom rains in San Diego, or I'd be driving with a mini fish tank on my bumper!

C4TT

Guess I know what I am doing this Saturday! Mine look like my shower door after a steamy bath!!LOL

garrett376

Just a note - using the wife's hair dryer helps to evaporate the alcohol initially, then using the paper towel on the screwdriver to finish it off. Works nicely.

investlt

C4TT,

I think I might be doing the same thing you're doing. Can't imagine that I will be driving my car anytiime soon. ...

ttAmerica RoadsterAWD

Tip: There is a 90% Isopropyl alcohol which I found to have better evaporative properties. I used a 70% mix I had laying around the house and had harder time getting the water out once I poured it in. With the 90% it was very easy to take the blow dryer and get it all out faster.

Jaime

jimq

I did the same when I put in silverstars a couple years ago. Makes a big difference considering the age of our lights and being they have probably never been cleaned before.

Oracle

Dumb question here:
On re-installation did you have to re-align the headlamps or they just pop in place using the same alignment settings?
(I've never opened the headlamps to see how they're attached to the car)

Thanks
Jasper

garrett376

Jasper - as long as you don't touch the alignment screws, you have no need to do any re-adjustment.