I got new clear corner clearance lights, and when I compare them to my headlight housings, they look 100% cleaner inside - a lot more reflective looking // shinnier inside.

So, what I'm wondering is if it is possible to clean the inside of the headlight housings? And is it worth it? And do I have to "re-align" the headlights (to get a sticker/have the light shining in the correct position on the road) if I do take the headlight housings out?

I was thinking: Take them out, fill them with some appropiate cleaning agent and maybe using some type of cleaning brush that would fit inside the hole which the "bulb" would sit and scrubing gently

If I can avoid spending $150ish on new housings, that'd be nice!

 

I see it coming - "Get Cefiro's fool! "

Yeah, if it comes to that, def.

 

most of the time you think that it is the in side that is dirty but in reality its really the outside. Use meguairs mag and steel polish on the outside, then use a scratch remover, and then use some kind of a waxer. Its generally used for exhausts n other metals for it to polish, but it works well with these headlights. i'm guessing your headlights look yellowish n can barely see out of them. if you actually think about it, there is really no way that the inside of your headlight can get dirty unless you have a crack or something since there isn't really any way for dirt to go in when something is completely sealed off.

P.S. i believe its also in the stickies

 

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

Well, I don't know, perhaps the inside gets tarnished over the years? That's what I was thinking. Every light i've dealt with on the max has that "exhaust vent" on the back - i assume to let heat out.I'd agree "dirt" could never really get in there...probably not even dust. But perhaps some kind of reaction takes place inside the housing which leaves a tarnish on the reflective material? That's what I"m thinking. But I'll give that stuff a try for sure.

 

Eh that's what happens with headlights over the years. You could try polishing the exterior with a high speed rotary buffer and baking them open to clean the insides. It will improve the look if you take your time at doing it. I'm impatient so you could just do what I did and buy some new ones.

 

Take off the headlights and stick it in the dishwasher.

 

dishwasher? is that for real

 

That can't be all there is to it. Well, if you come up with a more complete idea as to how that would work, let me know. For starters, how would the water get inside and do much of anything? lol

I don't mean to be a *ick or anything.

Thanks for the input though.

I assume the thing about opening the actual housing - called "baking" or whatever - is in the stickies? I hope so...Or, if not, could someone kindly make a quick write up?

 

It is almost impossible for dirt/dust to get inside headlights; the chrome just gets older with time and doesn't shine that much anymore; when using high wattage bulbs starts getting yellowish as well. polish/wax the outside first and if not happy with results then open headlights: preheat oven at about 250-300 degrees, turn oven off, put headlights in for 10 minutes, then pry them apart with 2 big flat scredrivers carefully; blow any dust away with air/duster then get a microfiver cloth and a special solution to clean glasses...(I found a kit at Cotsco glasses department for $6) do not rub to hard as per chrome will come off. then repeat oven process to seal them back. If you have money buy some HID projectors and retrofit them in there as long as you have headlights open. Visit Hidplanet for how to do it.

 

definetly doesnt need to be that hot, only 210 my friend, otherwise u will melt ur headlights.

 

Alright, sounds good. If that don't work, I'll just look into replacing them with OEM or aftermarket lights.

 

Ya I had the same problem before. My headlight looked like they were dirty from the inside, but in reality it was just the outside that started to discolor. I just got some Meguiar's Plasti-x and it made it clean again.

 

i say put some work into just cleaning them. that will most likely make ya feel better about 'em.

 

be very careful cleaning chrome. alcohol will rub it off!

 

you noobs are always wrong!......you can heat it up to 250 degrees no problem...you could go even more but theres no need....I cleaned out my one headlight cause it was all dingy and cloudy inside.....10-15 mins on 250 degrees is fine....it WONT melt!.....dont be afraid to get that sucker hot cause if you dont, it will be so hard to pry the 2 pieces apart....its pretty straigh foward and EASY to do........after you get it out, be careful what you use, cause that chrome plastic lining inside the headlight is delicate.......................................... ............... actually, come to think of it, I think you can just take the headlight off, pore a 50/50 mix of dishwasher detergent and water into the headlight and shake it up for a few mins and you should be good to go...try either one of these methods, any ?'s...pm me

 

No I was serious and that is all there is to it. I did it to my 5th gen, my 4th gen, and my 3rd gen. The hot water used in the dishwasher isn't hot enough to melt any plastic that is used in the headlight. Just make sure you stick it in so that the hole where the bulbs go in is facing down so the water can drain out of there. The steam and rushing water will make there way into the hole also and clean it. Also, make sure you use the stuff that doesn't leave water spots If it doesn't clean it, then your headlights must be extremely dirty

 

OK, so does anyone have a suggestion about what product to clean the inside of the glass with? I have a dremel equipped with a buffer bit, any suggestions as far as what to use to buff the inside and outside of the glass?

Thanks.

~M3

 

well, my retro's have gotten dirty inside the lens cause there's a little hole behind both lghts from where the glue came off so im just dealing with it. i use plastic-x on the outside and just spray a little detailer to keep them cleaned up.

 

I had a headlight bulb explode in pass. headlight. I took the headlight out shook out as much of the old bulb as I could then proceeded to just wash the inside of the headlight out with liquid dishsoap and the faucet. The reflective coating is extremely fragile and can be easily removed if too much force is applied. No doubt cleaning the inside would be easier if you split and then resealed them after cleaning.

 

OK cool sounds good M in KC!

I hope this is not a silly question but can plastic-x be used on glass lol? I asked that because I want to buy one product to use on both my R34 and my glass 97-99 fog lights. I looked online and saw this product
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=379683_0_0_
by the same manufacturer from autozone. Do you think this will serve me better or I can use plastix?

 

I just used some polishing compound on my fogs. Their surface is not as restorable as the outside clear plastic of the headlight with the likely tools available to the home wrencher. But it did help cut some of the cack off of mine.

 

I discovered that if you use a dremel with an 80 grit flap wheel at low speed, you can remove all the guke from the glass fog lights and restore it to its shiny glass-like appearance!!!

 

The OP asked about cleaning the inside of his headlights, not the outside of his fogs

 

While that may be true, my comment is not out of place... This conversation evolved into a slightly new discussion since I revived this seven year old thread with a new question that I initially posed and thought was similar... Furthermore, I was updating the user who provided me with feedback by sharing a new discovery I made. Even though I am a junior member, I abide by the rules set by the forum and actually try to read/search/make meaningful contributions.

~M3

 

the floor does not recognize "non intent to revive old thread" as means to ask new questions. rather, applauds the use of newly found info to be sufficent. you may pass....

 

Lol, not entirely sure what you mean, but let's set the record straight because I even notice negative feedback in this point system at times for posting in old threads (Thread Necromancer) when I think the content is relevant. If you search several threads on a particular subject and cannot find the ANSWER for your specific question, you suggest starting a "new thread" ALWAYS rather than continue a discussion (on the same or a very similar topic) with users who are probably familiar with the topic since either they solved the problem and did not report back their results, or are experts in that area since they initially contributed to the original user's question? If your answer is yes, I don't know if I agree with that idea. I rather search and continue the wheel (since I know I am not encountering a NEW or UNSOLVED problem/question) than come across to other users incorrectly as someone who doesn't do his research.

In this particular case, are you suggesting that I create a new thread with my discovery on how to.... The main benefit that I can see to doing this is making my information accessible to users via the correct subject of the thread, but IMO they should still be able to find my contribution from the search, but if that makes you OG's happy I will abide by that rule.

~M3