Headlight lenses

[oldskewel]

Good to know! Glad I posted the pics.

Just the Xenon bulb on each side?

Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079PF473X/

Not looking for any upgrade or research project. I just got my Ph.D. in headlight restoration from the university of youtube, and need a break.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by oldskewel

... Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079PF473X/ ...

Looks bang on.

I used these...

https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/o...sic-d2s-single

[andrewwynn]

DMEX D2S - 35W - 4300K Warm White Xenon Headlight HID Bulbs 66240 66040 85122 Replacement - Pack of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FJ71Q2M...NX940Z9YVEBETF

The hella better brand. The brand I bought doesn't exist anymore but these seem to be the equivalent. Under $30 for both. Keep the one that's white as a spare.

To replace use a t20 and a right angle drill adapter. The bottom screws are "by feel" but it's 6/10 difficulty only because the trick to reach and special tool. You can also use a small ratchet with t-20 bit (you can always use a 1/4" bit to hold a screwdriver bit if you don't have a proper offset screwdriver)

[BigBody]

Originally Posted by twarr1

I tried the polishing before I eventually replaced the lenses. The polishing looks ok at first but deteriorates very rapidly. The sanding takes off the UV protective coating on the lens. YMMV.

After sanding and polishing, wrap the headlights with clear anti-UV vinyl wrap.
Will act as a clear without the problems that come with painting (drips, orange peel, etc).

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

DMEX D2S - 35W - 4300K Warm White Xenon Headlight HID Bulbs 66240 66040 85122 Replacement - Pack of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FJ71Q2M...NX940Z9YVEBETF

The hella better brand. The brand I bought doesn't exist anymore but these seem to be the equivalent. Under $30 for both. Keep the one that's white as a spare.

To replace use a t20 and a right angle drill adapter. The bottom screws are "by feel" but it's 6/10 difficulty only because the trick to reach and special tool. You can also use a small ratchet with t-20 bit (you can always use a 1/4" bit to hold a screwdriver bit if you don't have a proper offset screwdriver)

Thanks for the link. I bought that pair just now, arriving on Friday.

No problem on the T20 screws. I had that off when I removed the lens on the left side. On that side, access is easy when pulling the air box out. Will do whatever it takes on the right side.

I'm definitely aware of the need for on-going UV protection to avoid needing to re-do this in a few months. Reviews of all products are full of those reports.

The Sylvania product I used (just the final clear coat step; here is the product, they actually sell just half the kit if you don't need things like sandpaper and gloves: https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-Head...dp/B01KIVYE6G/ ) basically paints on a layer of that using a shop towel as the paint tool.

Worked surprisingly well. I may do a film, or reapply another coat, or something else. I keep my cars for a long time, live in a very sunny place, and now all but one of my cars has plastic lenses, so I need to figure out a procedure that works for me. I sure learned a lot going through it this time. Will be very easy from now on, at least to do the treatment.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by twarr1

I tried the polishing before I eventually replaced the lenses. The polishing looks ok at first but deteriorates very rapidly. The sanding takes off the UV protective coating on the lens. YMMV.

I did mine but then coated it with 2K gloss clear. Has held up quite well over four years.

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

I did mine but then coated it with 2K gloss clear. Has held up quite well over four years.

Good to know, especially because you're in the same climate as I am. Is your car outside 24x7 (mine is)?

From what I've read, it does seem the 2k clear is the best way. So you buy a spray can of that for $25, use 10% of it, and the rest is trash, right? I know that still may be the most efficient and best solution, but I may need to get all my cars lined up on the same day to make it less wasteful. LOL.

Do you remember the brand you used?

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by oldskewel

Good to know, especially because you're in the same climate as I am. Is your car outside 24x7 (mine is)?

From what I've read, it does seem the 2k clear is the best way. So you buy a spray can of that for $25, use 10% of it, and the rest is trash, right? I know that still may be the most efficient and best solution, but I may need to get all my cars lined up on the same day to make it less wasteful. LOL.

Do you remember the brand you used?

This one: https://www.amazon.com/U-S-Chemical-...s%2C227&sr=8-6

Yes, unfortunately, you waste most of the can since it's a 2 part product with a 48 hour pot life, you can't hang on to it and use it later.

My truck is outside 24/7 and always has been.

[zener]

I have polished many headlights over the years and without any protection they held up fine in Finland. One time I used uv protection on my E65 and they looked awful again after one summer.



Just did them today on my E53.

[andrewwynn]

Maybe the extra atmosphere at your latitude is your UV protection. Probably a lot less skin cancer there also.

When my coating layer started to peel I sanded it off and polished the lens but didn't add clear/UV and within 6 months looked like a milk jug. Opaque white.