View Full Version : oxidation!!!!!


markv
07-21-2007, 10:20 PM
Whats up fellas. Im starting to have this problem of oxidation building up at my headlights, and I dont want to do anything stupid like doing it myself, or take it to the dealer for them to bull**** me to my last dollar, until i get a sense of how to fix it. Any advice as how to fix this? Can I remove the plastic, or someting, and clean it?

stomper
07-22-2007, 02:17 AM
can you explain what you mean by "oxidation building up"?
i can guess, but i may guess wrong.

could the problem be like this one?

http://www.cadillacforum.com/m_8686/tm.htm

markv
07-22-2007, 07:02 PM
thats a good question, sorry about that,

what i mean is that Im getting that foggy look on the inside of the headlight lense, like someone breathed hot air on a cold night(you know what I mean)

stomper
07-22-2007, 07:35 PM
seems idid guess correctly.
hope that link helps

markv
07-22-2007, 10:52 PM
it helped a little, but it seems from all those different things that it only helps for exterior oxidation, like somehting you wouldd buff out, my broblem is on the otherside that you can't touch, and Im not prepared to disassemble the headlight assembly without some guidlined advice

stomper
07-22-2007, 11:37 PM
so i did guess wrong? that is why details are important. NOT to worry, no flamming today

i wouldnt call that oxidation. they are fumes deposited on the surface. from whre? your guess.
i wouldnt take apart the light lens assy, i just remove them from the car, bench work.

for that, just take off the lens assy off the car, get some really long Q-tips or attach cotton balls to chop-sticks and
do a vinegar wash through the bulb hole. make sure nothing but the cotton makes contact with the surface.
if you really want to speed up the job, get crystal clear VODKA and use that as the cleaning agent.
make sure it is CLEAR like water, none of the amber stuff here.
i even use VODKA in my $1,000+ coated camera lenses with great results.

it is friendly to lenses and i hear you can even drink it.














.

SS427
07-23-2007, 05:41 AM
It sounds like a similar problem to the 2nd gen. STS taillight lenses where moisture built up inside whenever it rained etc. I think what they said to do was remove the lens and drill a tiny hole on the underside of the assembly. This enabled air to get in the space and dry up the condensation. Perhaps you could even just remove the bulb from the housing overnight to avoid having to do any drilling, becuase it would still let air in there.

stomper
07-23-2007, 09:20 AM
i like your rides .


ORIGINAL: SS427

65 Biscayne 409 400HP 4speed
68 Impala SS427 conv 385HP 4speed

SS427
07-23-2007, 10:39 AM
Thanks Stomper,
I hope I don't get in trouble for posting non Caddy pics on here, but here are some pics:
Biscayne body is almost ready for paint, chassis is done
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s124/ss_427/IMGP8870Small.jpg

SS427
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s124/ss_427/IMGP9408Small.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s124/ss_427/IMGP9417Small.jpg
OK! back to Cadillacs haha

stomper
07-23-2007, 02:16 PM
get in trouble? nahhh ...
them share a driveway with your Cadillac, right? we like to see who rooms with
our Cadies ... so you see, it is ON-TOPIC !

man, she's BEAUTIFUL !

i had a '68 Impala FastBack, GREEN but only a 327ci on mine.
damn, i sold it with 45,000 miles for $1,500 damn .... [sm=headbang.gif][sm=headbang.gif][sm=headbang.gif][sm=headbang.gif]
long time ago, but it is still a [sm=headbang.gif][sm=headbang.gif][sm=headbang.gif][sm=headbang.gif]

man .. 385 hp ...[sm=yikesomg.gif] ohhhhhhhhhhh like it !


ORIGINAL: SS427

Thanks Stomper,
I hope I don't get in trouble for posting non Caddy pics on here, but here are some pics:
Biscayne body is almost ready for paint, chassis is done
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s124/ss_427/IMGP8870Small.jpg

SS427
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s124/ss_427/IMGP9408Small.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s124/ss_427/IMGP9417Small.jpg
OK! back to Cadillacs haha

markv
07-23-2007, 05:56 PM
ok thanks a lot guys, im a try the swabbing first and then if it occurs again i'll use an alternative method(good thing im albanian, so we have lots of 100% vodka, and yes it is good to drink, hahaha

G.A.R.Y.
07-23-2007, 08:16 PM
I have a 502 crate motor I can't wait to drop in to a Impala or Chevelle. Wish I could find one that didn't need body work. Great lookin car dude, I'm seriously jealous.

SS427
07-24-2007, 05:38 AM
Thanks,
It is a blast to drive, especially with the 4speed. Working on engine stuff is another story however. The car has like 34 factory accessories. These include vac***e powered headlight doors, Comfortron climate control a/c, power door locks, etc as well as a smog pump since it's a 4 speed. This stuff creates so much craziness under the hood, that to take off an exhaust manifold or other component is quite a chore. I guess this car and the Caddy are more alike than I thought lol

stomper
07-24-2007, 09:11 AM
that '68 Impala i had, was by far, my very best car at the time i was going to "drive-in-movies"
those were the days ! ask me what movies i remember !