Discolored Headlights

[mixbrix]

I have a 99 Intrigue. The headlights got soooo discolored it was unbelievable. Bought one of those headlight restoration kits, which did fine, but only lasted maybe 6 months. Just bought and installed brand new headlights. My question is: If I wax the headlights when I wax the car, will that prevent the discoloration from returning??

[LittleHoov]

Was the discoloration on the outside or the inside?

Ive not seen many other Intrigues have this problem. Make sure all the rubber sealing caps are on the back of your headlight assemblies.

[mixbrix]

It was on the outside. Could actually scrape it off with a knife blade. The restoration kit was basically wet sandpaper. I've seen a few others like it. Someone told me it was caused by road grime. My son's Kia Spectra did the same thing. Now he has a Ford F-350 Super Duty and it's headlights are beginning to do it.

[LittleHoov]

Sounds like an epidemic in your area! I dont think it could hurt anything to wax them, my only concern is that the headlight covers do get sort of warm after the lights have been on for a while.

Sounds like being diligent about simply keeping them clean might work better too.

Ive seen a lot of same model cars with dingy headlights, like Grand Prix's and Venture's but its always on the inside and caused by moisture, I saw a GP just the other day with standing water inside the assembly, owner couldnt care less.

Good luck, sounds like youve got an unusual problem. Im not too good with Florida, are you fairly close to the ocean? If so could be the salty air causing things to go haywire.

[daveyboyz]

Ive buffed mine with a buffer and some extra fine finishing compound and they come up like brand new in less than a minute each side. Forget the sanding buisness...takes forever and never comes up very good. All you need is a buffer and compound. Then I give them a good coat of liquid ice wax. Lasts for better part of a year

[fhofstra]

This post made me double-check my headlight assemblies, hoping the fog was on the outside, but it looks to me like the insides are where the fogging has occurred.
Does anyone have a fix for that? Easy enough to remove the housings and then the lamps from the housing, but since you can't get at it, is there a liquid that would clean the inside of the plastic just by sloshing it around?

[pfofit]

I've had a few lights that fogged up with something.

You have to make yourself a giant qtip of sorts, Get yourself a foot long twig with a slight bend in it. Round over the end some so no sharp bits to scratch anything . Then a nice cotton rag say a few inches square. Wet it down with some glass cleaner of choice.

Remove the assembly and the bulbs and stuff the wet rag in through the lamp hole and use your stick to bunch up the rag a bit and then slide the rag gently around into the corners etc. being careful not to let the stick come off the rag. Fish out the rag and do this for each bulb hole.

Finish off by poring in a few mouthfulls of clear water and sloshing around for a rinse and then drain out, prop it up with holes down and let dry thoroughly. Using compressed air is not recommended as there may be some oil in it depending on the compressor and filter setups and then you have a messier problem.. Replace bulbs and rubber caps and reassemble.

Cheers

[fhofstra]

pfofit -
Sounds doable; thanks. Naturally, I was hoping for a magic liquid, but this ought to do the trick (as soon as it warms up).

[pfofit]

Originally Posted by fhofstra

(as soon as it warms up).

You know that it's just two white clips lifted straight up, one 8-10 pin plug and the whole assembly can be walked into the house in about 15 seconds.

cheers

[fhofstra]

You're right. Let's see, can I say the cold made me think slow? Probably not. Should be a great basement project, and I'd better make the most of it, since one can't usually take parts of the car down to the basement so easily.