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headlight related: removing condensation, HID kits?

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Old Dec 24, 2009 | 05:50 PM
  #1  
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headlight related: removing condensation, HID kits?

I've owned a 2000 maxima gle for a bit over a year now and when i bought it, the guys said that the headlights were brand new since he was in a front end accident and they looked pretty new to me as well, very shiny.

however, a couple of months ago, the driver side headlight began building up condensation and it just ticks me off seeing brand new headlights with water inside . Anyways, i read on the internet that silica gell packets can be used to remove condensation and if i apply silicone sealant all around the edge of the headlight, it should hold up for a while. has anyone with this problem tried this method or is there something else you recommend that would help me?

also, i really like the bright HID's out there. is there any kit + bulbs for under $200 thats worth buying? i see plenty of kits in various price ranges on ebay but I'm skeptical about some. any recommendations?

Last edited by walhalla; Dec 24, 2009 at 05:52 PM.
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 02:02 PM
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I left mine in the sun for a few hours and it was completely dry. yeah the silicone should work just fine.. but there are other types of seals sold in the auto-stores.. i cant think of the name right out of my head. also make sure moisture is not actually getting in thru the hole where u put the light bulb in.

about the HIDs im not sure.. check the group deal sections for it.. but many in here will tell u not to do it bc of glare.

just my 2 cents.
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 02:09 PM
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Silicone will do fine. You don't need silica gel packets if you resolve the issue with silicone.

As for HID's, if you have 2000-2001 housings, don't do it. The glare will look awful. Those housings are not designed to disperse light from an HID bulb.
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 02:12 PM
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Take a packet of silica gel and tie some floss to it tight. Open up the housing and throw it in, leave it overnight. Pull it back out by the floss when the condensation has disappeared.

HIDs in your housings will be glare central. They are not designed with a HID pattern in mind, but a halogen pattern. If you're going to go ahead with it, check 3BSpec (operatic) or DDMTuning.com.
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 04:04 PM
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alright all, thanks for the input. ill put off the HIDs and maybe if i have extra money floating around ill upgrade for the 02-03 headlights in the future.
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by djfrestyl
Silicone will do fine. You don't need silica gel packets if you resolve the issue with silicone.

As for HID's, if you have 2000-2001 housings, don't do it. The glare will look awful. Those housings are not designed to disperse light from an HID bulb.
not to hijack but the HID's should be reaimed then right?Cause I get people flashing me from behind when i pass them.
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Andrew
not to hijack but the HID's should be reaimed then right?Cause I get people flashing me from behind when i pass them.
If you have a hid kit in a 5th gen housing then your headlights probably are blinding people. Try aiming them down so they don't blind people as much.
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 10:09 PM
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Not sure about the glare thing but I buy all my HID kits from vvme.com and they are cheap. Like 45 bucks for lows. I have never had any problems with them.
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 10:27 PM
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Nope. The glare thing is a fact. A halogen reflector is not designed to have a correct pattern with an HID kit.
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 10:36 PM
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well I kinda wanted a brighter light.where do I need to buy then. I dont want to buy some and they not work I would also like to put HID inn fogs.
Old Dec 27, 2009 | 10:11 AM
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i understand where zero2sixty is coming from. the housing on the 00-01 has a wider spread for the beam, whereas HID housings should be more focused since the beam is brighter and would get much better distance lit if it was focused. the 00-01 housings would disperse the light in a broader range and would not gain much distance ahead. therefore you are more likely to blind people ALL the time, rather than just an instant where the beam's focus is lined up with the person's in front of you mirror. as for the fogs, there should be more success converting those to HID since the light is already fairly low to the ground and not lined up with peoples' side mirrors and also, the housing for it is smaller and more focused but i can't guarantee it. check with someone who has tried it. if not, i dont think new fog housings would be that expensive.

Last edited by walhalla; Dec 27, 2009 at 10:14 AM.
Old Dec 27, 2009 | 10:24 AM
  #12  
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also keep in mind, yellow light works better in fog than white or blue.
Old Dec 27, 2009 | 09:17 PM
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Fogs would work. Get an H3 kit from umnitza in the GD section.
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