We use to go and grab all the updated sylvania Halogen glass for the old ones. I still have 4 in a box.
They don’t need polished
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Fixing cloudy car headlamp lenses.
- Thread starter hbarcat
- Start date
They don’t need polished
From my old days of scouring junkyards, I've got a couple crates filled with the old T3 headlights. I've seen where guys convert them to accept a 9004 or 9006 and then use them in the older GM cars to make them look period correct.
That's a pretty neat upgrade from the old sealed beam. The headlights in my 68 ElCamino are terrible.
And the cost of new aftermarket replacements has gotten pretty cheap for most vehicles. I bought the pair for my 06 Ram for under $80 to my door and the quality is surprisingly good.
I think regardless of the brand, there is absolutely no shortcut (except your MONEY) for time and elbow grease/effort put into making the products work as-intended. Every headlight lense I've ever worked on required a minimum of 45 minutes on a nice weather day with good daylight and... some good old elbow grease and effort to get a result I thought was acceptable. NO, I did not use any power tools and I've seen people misuse those things to save money, time, effort, etc... to poor effect that does more damage than good.
I've also used the Cerakote on my son's vehicle and was pleased with the results. It looked pretty good for a couple of years, and it might look good now (three years later), but he has it in another city, so I can't check the current condition.
I tried that after seeing a similar video.
Used this
Quick, and works for a couple of months.
I didn't read all 3 pages but it wasn't one page 1...
BUG SPRAY. the more DEET the better. it'll clean it right off. its not super long lasting, but you can do it a lot of times for the price of one can and some paper towels...
...anddd someone beat me to it.
BUG SPRAY. the more DEET the better. it'll clean it right off. its not super long lasting, but you can do it a lot of times for the price of one can and some paper towels...
...anddd someone beat me to it.
And like anything else, you get what you pay for.
I bought a set of "Eagle Eyes" replacement headlights for my wife's 98 Silverado and while they looked nice and came with new bulbs, the chrome reflective part inside the lamps themselves flaked off in less than a year, making the lights useless.
I had another negative experience with the same brand on a 2004 Passat.....
I'd rather clean what I have or try to find a deal on OEM lights versus going with the garbage aftermarket stuff.
After being an autobody tech for 50 years, I agree that some of the aftermarket parts that the insurance companies forced us to use were pretty much
. However, the lights I got for my Ram are holding up nicely. They fit and aimed very well. Maybe I just got lucky.
I'd rather be lucky than good.After being an autobody tech for 50 years, I agree that some of the aftermarket parts that the insurance companies forced us to use were pretty much
Some of the aftermarket lights are ok, I've installed a few sets made by DEPO that were decent.
39 years as an auto tech and I feel your pain on what insurance companies forced on us, especially aftermarket warranty companies like Car Shield...... used up parts were their favorite.
I highly recommend the kid that Cerakote makes. It works perfect and it is dead easy. I used it on my 2014 Kia Sportage lenses and they came out looking like new with minimal effort. The price is right too. After years outside in the AZ sun they were ready for treatment.
I'd post before and after pics but the car has since been passed on the the great junkyard in the sky. Not by me though, but by my daughter. Thankfully she came out of it absolutely fine and the car went to the closest junkyard. Whoever gets the engine from it it will be getting a 2014 2.4 L GDI Kia engine with only 46,000 original miles on it and maintained properly. With headlights that look absolutely better than new. Thanks to Cerakote.
I'd post before and after pics but the car has since been passed on the the great junkyard in the sky. Not by me though, but by my daughter. Thankfully she came out of it absolutely fine and the car went to the closest junkyard. Whoever gets the engine from it it will be getting a 2014 2.4 L GDI Kia engine with only 46,000 original miles on it and maintained properly. With headlights that look absolutely better than new. Thanks to Cerakote.
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Exactly. I suggest people get the headlights clear, then immediately install 3M Headlight protective film on them. That both preserves the clarity and protects against rock chips.
I guess I'm both.I'd rather be lucky than good.
Some of the aftermarket lights are ok, I've installed a few sets made by DEPO that were decent.
39 years as an auto tech and I feel your pain on what insurance companies forced on us, especially aftermarket warranty companies like Car Shield...... used up parts were their favorite.
. Luckily, I never dealt with Car Shield.
FYI, the Cerakote kit comes with a sealer/protectant that is applied at the end. If you use the sanding/toothpaste/bug spray method, make sure you put a plastic sealant on afterwards.
Not really. And that does not last long. Mine were so bad I had to replace them as they had issues on the inside as well
Tried many things including off bug spray nothing lasts. Quick fix last a little while at least Brake fluid in a pinch, Friend of a Friend had a used car lot and that is how he made all the headlights look new quick wipe on in the morning the headlights look brand new. no scubbing very drops on a clean rag works instantly.
