Look What I Did To My Headlights

[lucittm]

I am happy with the 9004 replaceable bulb headlights in my car. According to my research, Porsche used a sealed-beam unit (designated the H5) for 1986-1989 USA cars because the H4 was not approved for use in the USA (until 1992). Due to owner's dissatisfaction with the performance and cost of replacement of the H5, they converted to the 9004/HB1 replaceable lamp in a modified RoW reflector in 1990. Please correct me if I'm wrong here, most of the information came from the PEC.

In any case, the combination of replaceable bulb and plastic reflector create a film on the inside of the glass lens that gives a smokey/silver appearance. I found a way to clean the inside of the lens. I removed the headlamp from the car as a unit. I took off the bulb and the humidity absorbent. Then I poured in about half a cup of clean kitty litter. I shook the headlight back and forth for about 5-6 minutes and dumped out the kitty litter. It took awhile to get it all out.

Here is the result:


I hope someone else finds this useful.

Thanks,
Mark

[930gt-40r]

That is an awsome fix... I will have to try that when I come accross that problem on one of my customer cars.

[965]

Mark,
I cleaned one of ours using Windex. However, it clouded up again a few days later. The second time I took it out, I filled it with water and discovered a leaky seal where the reflector is bonded to the lense. I sealed it with RTV and cleaned it again and dryed it thoroughly. It has stayed clear for a few months now.
I'll give your method a go if I have to clean one of them again.

[Don Plumley]

I've done the same with rubbing alcohol - really shined stuff up. But you'd want to be careful with solvents as it might eat the reflector. Kitty litter is interesting, don't have any around - but be careful not to scratch the reflector.

[rsrmike]

De-natured alchohol will do the very same thing, just swish it around a few seconds and pour it out... I think there is a service bullentin mentioning the denatured approach ...

[lucittm]

Mike,
Now you tell me... But I had fun with the kitty litter.

Mark

[rsrmike]

LOL Sorry Man, I started a new job and have been pretty busy!

Sounds like fun though

[group911@aol.co]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

I've done the same with rubbing alcohol - really shined stuff up. But you'd want to be careful with solvents as it might eat the reflector. Kitty litter is interesting, don't have any around - but be careful not to scratch the reflector.

Kitty litter is the same thing as floor dry. Maybe the liquids first followed with the litter/ dry would be good.

[911nut]

Originally Posted by rsrmike

De-natured alchohol will do the very same thing, just swish it around a few seconds and pour it out... I think there is a service bullentin mentioning the denatured approach ...

I tried acetone, a sponge and a long screwdriver. Improved it somewhat but it still quite doesn't match the new one on the other side.

[colo964]

I used Everclear and thought that I was a backwoods genius. Good to know there are other tricks.

[lucittm]

Everclear? That is alcohol abuse. You are abusing the alcohol. If I had some Everclear, I would mix it with OJ and then not worry about my headlamps.

Mark

[colo964]

You can reuse the Everclear with the road salt in it, throw in a few olives or onions and have a dirty Ozark martini or gibson.

[Hambisa]

Merge these concepts for a solution that worked well for me (before I installed H4's in order to have lights that actually do the job) by adding a few spoons of uncooked rice to the alcohol and swishing it around on the inside of the glass. It removes the film without the risk of scratching the innards. Like the litter, you have to fuss with it a while to get all the rice out, then use a hair drier or leave it overnight before reassembling.

[group911@aol.co]

OK. Here's the official cleaning kit from Riedel wine decanters on cleaning them. Basically, a bunch of bb's in water. Sorry about the pic.

[lucittm]

Who knew? A corporate solution to our problem. Well done!

Mark

[SouthCoastPhil]

I used some bottle brushes with the rubbing alcohol, since they have a soft tip already attached to a handle, and one can bend the handle:


I've also seen these online. Might consider cutting the bristles off the sides?



A search for "Bottle Brushes" turns up many sources.

[964TargaC2]

Hydrogen peroxide also works well

[fleetline51]

Originally Posted by 964TargaC2

Hydrogen peroxide also works well

Yup...Thanks,964TargaC2!

My original post can be viewed here:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-964-993-technical-forum/678252-foggy-inner-lamp-lens-90-964-c4.html

Best Regards,

Tony

[efhughes3]

Rice and alcohol have been used by many, and would be safer than kitty litter.