H5 headlight restoration

[Tooth911]

Hi Gang looking for info on H5 headlight cleaning on the inside of lens.Also chip repair I tried the search mode to no avail .I plan to install them on my 77 911 thanks Chuck.

[old man neri]

To clean inside: Get isopropyle alcohol, poor it inside the lens from the bulb opening, swirl it around, empty, and let dry for a while in the sun.

[Tooth911]

Thanks man!

[targa todd]

Has everyone had success with the alcohol cleaning method? My car has one new and one old headlight leans. One was replaced by the PO. Obviously the new one makes the old one look like crap.

I did the swish around method with 91% isopropyl alcohol - twice. Looked better, but not that much better. Then I tried pouring the alcohol in and wiping the glass from the inside with gauze on the end of a chopstick. Still not much better.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[gshiwota]

I tried the "swirl the alcohol" method and was pleased with the results.

As for chip repair, I had a bullseye rock chip in one of my H5s and used a windshield repair kit you get from the local auto parts store to fix it. The bullseye is still visible but the hole is filled so no water can get into the headlight - it seems to be holding up and is well worth the $5 investment.

Thanks,

Gabe


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'61 356B Karmann Notchback
'82 911SC Targa

[vanwyk4257]

I just cleaned the lenses on my H5's on Saturday. Take a wire coat hanger, wrap some cotton cloth around the end and bend it as necessary. You have to be careful not to bend the support inside the housing. I sprayed a little windex inside and wiped the inside of the lenses, then dried them out carefully with a hair dryer. I missed a couple little spots here and there, but it's much better than it was.

[dmwallace]

Targa Todd,

I used the alcohol method successfully on my '89 3.2L with H5's. The key was to "shake violently" as described in this thread (which you may have already found):

H5 Headlight refresh (before & after pics)

I found the result to be a noticeable improvement. I used regular rubbing alcohol but would use 90% denatured if I was doing it again (stronger & evaporates quicker).

This thread also talks about adding uncooked rice to the alcohol; I was not brave enough to try that suggestion although if you are drying it out with a compressor it should blow the grains back out.

You should also check your bulb socket connector when you do this. I found that one of mine had some melted areas where one of the wires went in. I found a replacement locally at a Advance Auto. You should also consider replacing the bulbs as part of the project along with the rubber gaskets that go under the trim rings.

regards,
David

[Por_sha911]

Tear up a paper towel into 2 or 3 pieces, put them in there and then pour enough glass cleaner to make them good and soggy. Use a blunt stick to rub the paper towel against the glass and then shake them around to get the inside good and clean and then get them out with a chop stick or some other device. Air dry and then repeat (same procedure) with alcohol to get any streaks or residue out.
Nothing will be as clear as new glass but mine look really good.
p.s. Be careful not to bend the metal inside the lens when pushing the paper towel around.

[Zeke]

This has been covered before. Last time I posted using some rice inside with a cleaner of your choice. Rinse with distilled water followed by the alcohol to dry them out.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by milt

This has been covered before.

Good point. The Search Button is your friend.