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Topic: yellow headlight repair (Read 1544 times) previous topic - next topic

yellow headlight repair

I've been reading the threads and am going to attempt to clean and reseal the headlights on my '87 Cougar.  Pulled all the lights off the front of the car tonight and brought them in the apt. so they warm up.  I will try a few different techniques and hopefully remember to report on what I find.  The headlight units I plan to pull apart, clean, and reseal with silicone adhesive since they have been getting moisture inside. 

Pics and more info to come in the next few days. 

One question: It's been mentioned that a small hole could be drilled in the bottom of the headlight unit to prevent moisture.  Wouldn't that make it worse since it would be letting moisture in?

yellow headlight repair

Reply #1 –
I would try it first without the hole.

Also zach displayed his little trick with the polishing compound at cat jam.  I've done that to a few cars now and it works great.
One 88

yellow headlight repair

Reply #2 –
Spooky.


Yeah, I'd say that it's getting a little moisture in there. 


Yuck!




The lenses on the inside lights popped right off.  They were already coming off.  Going to reglue them, but first I'm going to paint the back and sides (on the inside) silver. 


The lenses popped right off with the help of a flat-head screwdriver.  Insides still look good.  Going to sand down the old sealant and give it a good bead of silicone adhesive. 


Have to run to the store tonight and get sandpaper, rubbing compound, polish, and some chocolate.

Quote
Also zach displayed his little trick with the polishing compound at cat jam. I've done that to a few cars now and it works great.


Cool.  I may just try that then.  Depends on how much I'm willing to spend and what the store has on hand.

yellow headlight repair

Reply #3 –
also, do the best you can to try to clean up the insides of the lens

ive polished the living hell out of my old lights, and while they were able to be seen through, they had a yellow tint on the inside.
It's Gumby's fault.

yellow headlight repair

Reply #4 –
Passenger side one on mine was yellowed like yours. All I did was wet sand it with 1000 grit sand paper to take the yellow off the outside and then I clear coated it. Looks pretty good and has held up for 2 years no problem but then I don't drive the car in the rain or snow so I don't know if that would harm it or not:dunno:
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

yellow headlight repair

Reply #5 –
Here's the finished product of an evening of work.  I took my time.  I'm a little high from the silicone adhesive, though. 

Procedure:

1.  Removed light units from car.
2.  Removed lenses from the headlight and inside parking light units.
3.  Wet sanded the lenses with 1000 grit.
4.  Next, wet sanded with 1200 grit.
5.  Then, wet sanded with 1500 grit.
6.  Turtle Wax rubbing compound.  Applied with cloth.  Pressed firmly, but not hard.
7.  Two doses of Turtle Wax polishing compound. 
8.  Finished off with McGuires auto wax.
9.  Cleaned up the old adhesive for the lenses.  What a pain that was.  Utility knife and a rough sand paper came in handy.
10. Made sure the lenses fit properly, then applied a heavy bead of clear Silicone Adhesive to the light units.  I went a little overboard with the silicone, but I wanted to ensure a good seal.
11. Slap 'em back on the car and enjoy.

Left is done.  Right is not.


Used silver/chrome paint to do the inside parking light units.


All done.








yellow headlight repair

Reply #6 –
Btw, I'll post pics of them in the car and on when I get a chance.

yellow headlight repair

Reply #7 –
Looks good, gonna have to do my parking and conering lenses soon.

yellow headlight repair

Reply #8 –
They look good.
I did pretty much the same thing a while back except I started with 800 grit and worked up to 2000 grit. Then I used the mothers plastic lense cleaner and some meguires wax. They turned out good but are slowly returning to their yellowed state.
I was lucky enough to score a set of new inners in a junk yard that are not yellowed and I just picked up a brand new set of headlights. All I need to do now is get the outers.