GM Cadillac HEADLIGHT RESTORATION / Cleaning
Super Moderator
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,945
HEADLIGHT RESTORATION / Cleaning
the headlights on several of my aging fleet vehicles are 100% clouded and
although IMO, dont impair visibiltiy to a significant degree, the cosmetics
are getting bothersome. Then again, maybe i got gradually used to the
degradation of light output. facts anyone?
did some research on the restoration itself and this is what o came up with
note:
to deals4u04 , the original poster .. i'm editing the opening thread's title to
HEADLIGHT RESORATION and making this thread an FAQ.
the subject is important.
===========================
these kits are sold in ebay,
there seems to be a needed final step to re-apply a coating AFTER
the job is done to protect the lens - not all kits have that, as most
simply give you the ability to clear up the lens.
this one is from Permatex ...
http://www.permatex.com/do***ents/4.06.PopMechanics.pdf
POLYCARBONATE COMPOSITE HEADLIGHTS
Today's headlights are manufactured of polycarbonate plastic for its tensile strength and ability to be manufactured
to conform to the front-end styling of a vehicle. Polycarbonate, although a very hard plastic, is a very porous plastic
so during manufacturing a protective silicone hard coat is applied to the headlight lenses. This silicone hard coat is to
protect the lens from intense sun and heat, road chemicals, humidity and acid rain.
The PROBLEM:
Intense sun and heat, road chemicals, humidity, insects, bird droppings and acid rain combined with the heat of the
halogen bulb will, in as little as 1-2 years, damage the protective hard coat to the point that an ugly discolored, cloudy,
hazy appearance develops on the lenses. This damage will restrict the headlights ability to project its beam of light by
as much as 90% !
Resurface them, with a Resurfacer that will adhere to Polycarbonate, Acrylic and Lexan plastic, for long lasting protection. You should expect around 2 years of protection, depending on climate conditions.
although IMO, dont impair visibiltiy to a significant degree, the cosmetics
are getting bothersome. Then again, maybe i got gradually used to the
degradation of light output. facts anyone?
did some research on the restoration itself and this is what o came up with
note:
to deals4u04 , the original poster .. i'm editing the opening thread's title to
HEADLIGHT RESORATION and making this thread an FAQ.
the subject is important.
===========================
these kits are sold in ebay,
there seems to be a needed final step to re-apply a coating AFTER
the job is done to protect the lens - not all kits have that, as most
simply give you the ability to clear up the lens.
this one is from Permatex ...
http://www.permatex.com/do***ents/4.06.PopMechanics.pdf
POLYCARBONATE COMPOSITE HEADLIGHTS
Today's headlights are manufactured of polycarbonate plastic for its tensile strength and ability to be manufactured
to conform to the front-end styling of a vehicle. Polycarbonate, although a very hard plastic, is a very porous plastic
so during manufacturing a protective silicone hard coat is applied to the headlight lenses. This silicone hard coat is to
protect the lens from intense sun and heat, road chemicals, humidity and acid rain.
The PROBLEM:
Intense sun and heat, road chemicals, humidity, insects, bird droppings and acid rain combined with the heat of the
halogen bulb will, in as little as 1-2 years, damage the protective hard coat to the point that an ugly discolored, cloudy,
hazy appearance develops on the lenses. This damage will restrict the headlights ability to project its beam of light by
as much as 90% !
Resurface them, with a Resurfacer that will adhere to Polycarbonate, Acrylic and Lexan plastic, for long lasting protection. You should expect around 2 years of protection, depending on climate conditions.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1
RE: HEADLIGHT RESTORATION / Cleaning
Hi guys,
We have an eBay store with traffic reporting which allows us to veiw referring domains that how I found this...any way the Blue Ice Kit posted here is my kit as well as the Viking Headlight Lens Restoration pictures. (We recently changed the name of the kit.) We appreciate the pics posted here very nice of our customer and theModerator.
What most people do not realize is the headlights on your car are almost the same chemical makeup as the clear coat your car is painted with. They both consist of thermoplastic resins. This is significant because you have to wax or use a paint sealer on your vehicle to protect it, but no one seems to realize you have to do the same with your headlight lenses.
I recommend you aplly wax to your lenses every time you wax your vehicle. This will certainly increase the life of your lenses.
We also have a cheaper $20 basic kit that is almost identical to the kit posted here. This process consists of 2 basic steps, sanding and buffing..if you try some other product you will need to sand and buff to get outstanding results. You can get fair results by hand buffing but the problem with that is the compound your using will give it a false appearance of being cleared up becausae it is a liquid...the same as if you put water on the lenses, it will look clearer until the water drys. Thats why we sell our kit with a polishing buffing kit. Machine polishing works.
The kits that have you wipe on a clear work good if you don't mind streaks from the foam brush being used. Just remeber the lenses are super clear and any imperfections will be noticable.
Stealth and deals4u04, thanks for posting these pictures...every littel bit helps!
Also, thanks to my customer for the plug. jpbrad0215
Dana Lind
www.headlightcare.com
http://stores.ebay.com/Viking-Auto-Care
We have an eBay store with traffic reporting which allows us to veiw referring domains that how I found this...any way the Blue Ice Kit posted here is my kit as well as the Viking Headlight Lens Restoration pictures. (We recently changed the name of the kit.) We appreciate the pics posted here very nice of our customer and theModerator.
What most people do not realize is the headlights on your car are almost the same chemical makeup as the clear coat your car is painted with. They both consist of thermoplastic resins. This is significant because you have to wax or use a paint sealer on your vehicle to protect it, but no one seems to realize you have to do the same with your headlight lenses.
I recommend you aplly wax to your lenses every time you wax your vehicle. This will certainly increase the life of your lenses.
We also have a cheaper $20 basic kit that is almost identical to the kit posted here. This process consists of 2 basic steps, sanding and buffing..if you try some other product you will need to sand and buff to get outstanding results. You can get fair results by hand buffing but the problem with that is the compound your using will give it a false appearance of being cleared up becausae it is a liquid...the same as if you put water on the lenses, it will look clearer until the water drys. Thats why we sell our kit with a polishing buffing kit. Machine polishing works.
The kits that have you wipe on a clear work good if you don't mind streaks from the foam brush being used. Just remeber the lenses are super clear and any imperfections will be noticable.
Stealth and deals4u04, thanks for posting these pictures...every littel bit helps!
Also, thanks to my customer for the plug. jpbrad0215
Dana Lind
www.headlightcare.com
http://stores.ebay.com/Viking-Auto-Care
Tech Certified Members
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 424
RE: How To Clean Headlights On Seville STS
I hear ya Stealth, the wealth of knowledge on here absolutely astounds me, and better yet is the fact the guys are willing to dish it out so freely to help their fellow man. Keep it up guys because you ALL are appreciated even though you might not hear it every day. Cheers. The next round is on me.
Super Moderator
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,646
RE: How To Clean Headlights On Seville STS
ORIGINAL: brougham1
I hear ya Stealth, the wealth of knowledge on here absolutely astounds me, and better yet is the fact the guys are willing to dish it out so freely to help their fellow man. Keep it up guys because you ALL are appreciated even though you might not hear it every day. Cheers. The next round is on me.
I hear ya Stealth, the wealth of knowledge on here absolutely astounds me, and better yet is the fact the guys are willing to dish it out so freely to help their fellow man. Keep it up guys because you ALL are appreciated even though you might not hear it every day. Cheers. The next round is on me.
Frieda Kahlo tequila straight up please. Wanna come to south florida or do I have to go to BC?
G.A.R.Y.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10
RE: HEADLIGHT RESTORATION / Cleaning
ORIGINAL: Stealth
the headlights on several of my aging fleet vehicles are 100% clouded and
although IMO, dont impair visibiltiy to a significant degree, the cosmetics
are getting bothersome. Then again, maybe i got gradually used to the
degradation of light output. facts anyone?
the headlights on several of my aging fleet vehicles are 100% clouded and
although IMO, dont impair visibiltiy to a significant degree, the cosmetics
are getting bothersome. Then again, maybe i got gradually used to the
degradation of light output. facts anyone?
If your problem is as you describe "cosmetic" due to a build up of oxidation, There is nothing better than Pittman's Original ALR. It is a non abrasive pure liquid deoxidizer that removes cloudy surface oxidation on contact.
http://www.ibc34.com/Before-and-After.html
Super Moderator
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,945
RE: HEADLIGHT RESTORATION / Cleaning
question was in regards to an Allante ...
Remove the headlight, clean it in and out, run a bead of automotive silicone sealer or FLOWABLE SILICONE around the joints of the two halves.
Make sure the vent hose is in place and points down.
If you must know where it leaks or to check it when the job is done, fill it with water and check for leaks around the seals of the two haves.
Use long medical Q-Tips dipped in Stoner's Invisible glass to scrub the inside of the lens.
If the lens is opaque, do a restoration per this thread
https://www.cadillacforum.com/m_8686/tm.htm
Also, check that there are rubber washers where the bulb holders fit into the capsule.
All along, remember that the going rate for these Allante headlights is $700 new, $350 used - EACH.
Darn well worth the effort.
This works for just about any headlight and tail light assy of just about every modern car on the road.
ORIGINAL: Yogi
Condensation in the right frt. headlamp, weep hole and hose clear, Suggestions?
Condensation in the right frt. headlamp, weep hole and hose clear, Suggestions?
Remove the headlight, clean it in and out, run a bead of automotive silicone sealer or FLOWABLE SILICONE around the joints of the two halves.
Make sure the vent hose is in place and points down.
If you must know where it leaks or to check it when the job is done, fill it with water and check for leaks around the seals of the two haves.
Use long medical Q-Tips dipped in Stoner's Invisible glass to scrub the inside of the lens.
If the lens is opaque, do a restoration per this thread
https://www.cadillacforum.com/m_8686/tm.htm
Also, check that there are rubber washers where the bulb holders fit into the capsule.
All along, remember that the going rate for these Allante headlights is $700 new, $350 used - EACH.
Darn well worth the effort.
This works for just about any headlight and tail light assy of just about every modern car on the road.
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