H5 Headlight Question - 88 Carrera

[schmidder]

Hey All: Just replaced my left front, now they don't match as the original on the right is slightly oxidized/milky. Trying to live with it, but it is hard... Option would be to purchase another kit ($350) or try to polish the older/existing lense? I tried the turtle wax product last night, are the lense polishing kits primarily for plastic lenses or glass too? Anybody had any luck with them?

Also, I notice the right side light does not have the horizontal aim screw in it, was it not included on right, or would it be missing?

Thanks everybody in advance.

Erik

[TargaTony]

That cloudy film may be in the inside. Remove the headlight, pull the lamp out and pour isopropyl rubbing alcohol inside the lens. swirl it around and let it sit a few minutes. pour out the alcohol and let it dry. Re-install and it will look like new!

[DRACO A5OG]

+1 isopropyl

[darrin]

this thread has some good ideas -- Fogged Headlights -- wasn't aware that some of these headlights have dessicant that will need to be removed before adding the alcohol.

I used the rice and alcohol idea on some old foggy h4s I bought used and it worked wonders.

If for some reason the rice isn't stubborn enough, you might consider alcohol and salt -- since salt doesn't dissolve in alcohol, its crystals might provide extra abrasion.

[RFP]

I have found that denatured alcohol (available at Home Depot) works even better than isopropyl alcohol. YMMV

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by RFP

I have found that denatured alcohol (available at Home Depot) works even better than isopropyl alcohol. YMMV

If denatured alcohol isn't ready available you can use cheap vodka. Works like a charm, and you can take a sip of it if so inclined...

[Mark Salvetti]

You can also use a paper towel moistened with Windex. Stuff it through the bulb opening (maybe have to use half of a towel), and wipe it around with a pickup tool such as this one: Sears.com

In mine the cloudiness was easily removed this way.

Mark

[A horse with no name]

I have helped a few local guys remove the stain on their headlight glass. I used 1200 'wet/dry' 3M paper, then with my Makita polisher, I have used one of 3M's 'Perfect-It' to buff and polish and they have come out as new. I used a wool pad.

[Quicksilver]

One of the reasons the lenses cloud up is atmospheric moisture isn't being dealt with. There is a little plastic box at the bottom of the light that contains a desiccant that has certainly been saturated with moisture for years.
The replacement (911-631-968-00) is about $30 which is kind of ridiculous but you can refresh the desiccant by splitting it open. Silica gel can be refreshed by putting it in the oven at 220° for 15-30 minutes but it is easy to get new silica gel by pulling it from the packaging that comes with new electronics (or other christmas present).

[schmidder]

I used the alcohol and rice swirl trick inside, worked great.