Headlight Glass

[vettefan67]

What can be done for 10+ year old headlight glass besides replacing it? It`s not smooth on the inside because it has a pattern of parallel lines in very close proximity to one another, so this would make polishing difficult.



The problem is the glass has an overall green tint to it which I doubt is part of the design. Can anything be done to improve the appearance of it or is the "tint" all the way through the glass? I`m thinking it`s the latter but wanted more opinions :(.



Thanks in advance for any input!

[vettefan67]

Well, I guess I`ll just clean it, Novus the plastic part inside and put it back together... :rolleyes:



At least I got to clean the engine up some with the headlight gone!

[imported_capitolason2]

Have read that it is excellent for cleaning up all types of plastics.

[Footy]

Check Huy`s article (`http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/headlights/index.html`)

[vettefan67]

<blockquote class=`ipsBlockquote` >

<em class=`bbc`>Originally posted by Footy [/i]
<strong class=`bbc`>Check Huy`s article (`http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/headlights/index.html`) [/b]</blockquote>I don`t think his article is meant for glass headlight covers. :(

[Preachers Sheets]

Wow, I never knew you could restore plastic covers like that, jeepers, what a nice job.



I was always scared to take my lights apart, I don`t want to deal with the condensation that got inside of my Saturn headlights.



My lenses are really road chipped, I wonder if I can just purchase the lenses. It`d be alot cheaper then buying the entire unit.

[jkochis]

Get rid of condensation by drilling a hole. That`s what most dealerships would do.

[Footy]

<blockquote class=`ipsBlockquote` >

<em class=`bbc`>Originally posted by puterbum [/i]
<strong class=`bbc`>
I don`t think his article is meant for glass headlight covers. :( [/b]</blockquote>Good point, `puter. It has become a kind of reflex action for me - somebody poses a question about headlight restoration, and I post a link to this article, probably because I am very impressed with Huy`s method :)

[vettefan67]

Me too . . . that`s what convinced me to try it! For some stupid reason I didn`t realize the covers were glass until I separated it - the casing and excellent insulation dulled any vibrations that would make sound and give it away as glass.



I feel pretty dumb after that one :rolleyes:

[Lemonxxs]

Try a glass polish and a lot of elbow grease.

[Lowejackson]

"Green tint" strange! my other Alfa 164, the headlights had a yellow tint to them, from old age according to the Alfa dealer. Could it be something for the USA market?



This sounds like a BradB type questions, as he has huge knowledge of strange things like this.



How about a mild bleach or caustic solution to swill around the inside???



Steven

[BradE]

For yellowing (or any color) on the outside of the lights you can wet sand them (2000 grit or finer) and then a few passes with a rotary buffer and polish will make them look like new, not sure what you could do on the inside though. I guess you could wet sand with 2000 or finer grit then hand polish the insides.