has anyone ever polished the ribs out of a fog light lens?

[andyt11]

I've been thinking about how useless the foglights are on the front of the 84-89 cars, and I've been thinking about installing some Hella 450 driving lights in there instead and at least then they would be some use on a road trip.

I'm just wondering though if its possible to modify the glass ribs on the stock fog lenses and get more light. By buffing it flat for instance. Does anyone make a lens that fits that is simply clear?

Any thoughts?

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by andyt11

I've been thinking about how useless the foglights are on the front of the 84-89 cars, and I've been thinking about installing some Hella 450 driving lights in there instead and at least then they would be some use on a road trip.

I'm just wondering though if its possible to modify the glass ribs on the stock fog lenses and get more light. By buffing it flat for instance. Does anyone make a lens that fits that is simply clear?

Any thoughts?

It would no longer be a fog light then. Those ribs (flutes) are there to widen the beam into a pattern effective for use as a fog light. The only way to get more light (lumen) is to go to a different bulb or make sure you have the least amount of voltage drop to the bulb.

Most of the Hella products have a generic case that accepts either a fog reflector/lense or driving reflector/lense. The driving light only appears to have more light because it is not diffusing the beam as much as the fog. Also, the reflector geometry might be slightly different on a driving light to focus the reflected light beam for a longer range.

[tcar]

Really poor location for driving lights... they need to be higher than 12'' above the road. Excellent location for fog lights, though.

Are your lenses pitted, maybe that's why you feel they are useless.

As 70SAT said, they are supposed to be diffused to the sides, very small vertical component, no bright 'spot' and they don't throw very far.

[gtc]

I have the 450 driving lights in my carrera valence. They are tough to aim properly because of the tight fit, but they really work nicely.
If you go with the 450's, buy a set of the clear lexan covers to protect them.

There is a thread somewhere on here that details modifications needed to make the 450s fit properly... it involves cutting off the mounting post and using the bracket from your old fog lights.

Gratuitous photo: