Hi again. Our Oddy has a problem with the headlights. As some may know, I'm not very well and before taking car in for wof I spent ages cleaning the headlights. Wife bought some stuff a few years back that says 1st bootle is used to clean stuff off and 2nd a sealer. Well I spent ages working on them, and quite ill afterwards. Took car in and they said headlights needed cleaning, which he did for $6.00. We used to goto VTNZ and every wof for about 3 years they failed because of this. About 3 years ago started going to a place that does wof's and repairs and had to problems. Problem is they went bust, last Labour weekend and checking out new place, at the Mount. Passed the wof, but he had to do a few things, which is fine. We had a blown tail light, that I didn't know and they replaced. #rd time in about as many years? So thats for any advise on head lights, or maybe better just to pay for them to do it? Ian
franc123,
Feb 20, 9:15am
Best long term solution is to renew the headlights, most of the polycarbonate lights are on borrowed time after 10 years depending on how much heat and UV exposure they've had. Normal cutting compound followed by polish works well, or in more severe cases a wet soapy water sand with 600 grit paper, working through all the grades up to 2000 then polishing works superb IF its only surface deterioration. If you can see crazy cracking in the plastic with the lights on they're getting to the point of needing renewal.
gmphil,
Feb 20, 9:15am
I use cut in polish on a rag !
tamarillo,
Feb 20, 9:27am
Do you mean the outside is cloudy, in which case you can buy a headlight restoring lotion, I used it and it worked well. Or simple white toothpaste!
If its inside that's different, maybe moisture.
homerjae,
Feb 20, 9:29am
have read that toothpaste works well
emmerson1,
Feb 20, 9:47am
I was once told that you could re-do the mirroring inside headlights with chrome bumper spray paint. Didn't work for me though. (XF Falcon)
intrade,
Feb 20, 9:54am
here is a trick i did on a hoda with a guy who needed a cheap fix. one of his headlight was dull and the other side was bright due to the lens . so needed a new light. polished it up but was not bright enough so i went to supersheep and puchased 1 50% brighter headlight bulb and fitted it in the dull headlight and woala it passed.
richynuts,
Feb 20, 10:26am
Brasso
aoc1,
Feb 20, 11:08am
Get a headlight cleaner from Auto Stop they have an awesome ne.
ianalice1,
Feb 20, 12:07pm
Thanks for the tips. Yes is yellowing on outside. I've tried cut and polish. Bought headlight restoration product. Not thought of tooth paste, might work. Renewing the headlights gona cost a bob, assuming you can still get them. Later model Oddys have blue lights, but not sure what that is?
daryl14,
Feb 20, 7:12pm
You may notice that there is a pick a part in your area.
tamarillo,
Feb 20, 7:25pm
If the restoration stuff at auto shops didn't work I think your out of luck, toothpaste won't. I assume your talking second hand prices here? Take yours out and get photos and any parts number. Then get on trademe parts adverts and find people wrecking your model. Start asking for price for your part. If you're real lucky you'll find a private seller who sells for less, but wreckers prices will still be fine.
wizid,
Feb 20, 7:57pm
i used brake fluid. to clean my lens covers . but be carful not to get it on the paint . worked really well
xs1100,
Feb 20, 8:39pm
I just used jiff on a old fielder I had and worked well
cypherboy,
Feb 20, 8:44pm
I had a young fella in for a R34 Skyline HID headlamp because his "mate" had tried to clean the lens with a Scotch Brite and Jiff! I told him the price for a replacement and he was nearly in tears. After 800-1200-1500 wetdry and a buff it came up like new. I told him just flick me $25 for the 10 mins work. He gave me $50, I guess not all the young fellas are plonkers!
slarty45,
Feb 20, 9:47pm
Yeah, cardboard saturated with Brasso.
kazbanz,
Feb 21, 1:17am
ianalice-I have three options when it comes to headlight restoration. The first is to "pay the bloke" He comes in and sands the lens for a few minutes,he does this about three times. Then he buffs the lens for a few minutes,then he dries it out. He carefully masks around the lens then paints a clear coat onto the lens. That in my experience lasts for years. The second way is for me to buff the lens with the same buff I use on the paint work. It takes about 5 minutes per lens. That lasts about a year. The third way is to use the Lens restore kit by rainex. in essence you are doing the same thing as the professional guy does. I don't know yet how well it lasts.
ianalice1,
Feb 21, 3:40am
Sounds good, your offer, but you in Auckland. With my health, I can't drive that far, anymore. Lived in Auckland for about 25 years, but can't even visit. Hamilton's about my limit. Thanks for the offer, need someone closer to home. Wheres Jazz, when you need him:(
captaink,
Feb 21, 4:16am
In Japan buying little Nissan's for Kaz.
nzgunnie,
Feb 21, 9:24pm
You could get a micromesh polishing kit.
ianalice1,
Feb 21, 10:15pm
Sorry, nzgunnie, but never heard of micromesh. Can you please explain. Mind you, if it involves much physical effort, I'm out. To all, is it true that a, panel beater, is the one to see to get them properly cleaned and sealed? If so, any advice in Papamoa/Mount areas?
kazbanz,
Feb 21, 10:19pm
Funny innit-The offer was genuine and the money was sitting there.
gmphil,
Feb 21, 10:55pm
try a damp cloth in some good ole persil washin powder
ozz1,
Feb 22, 12:40am
hi muz. yes . theres only one way to polish them properly. . so they STAY clean. cheers ian. n.a.p
lookoutas,
Feb 22, 2:52am
Seems to me that you need someone to do it, so go and see a panelbeater or painter. For anyone who just polishes them, you need to clean them with Pledge from then on. Plastic is porous, and Pledge fills the micro holes. Pilots don't use Pledge on their cock-pit windows just for laughs.
Would it be called a cock-pit if ladies were the first flyers?
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