Headlight Haze

[1999montana]

My son noticed that the headlights didn't seem to throw a lot of light on the highway at night.

Yesterday I took the headlight assemblies out and cleaned the lenses on the bench with some polishing compound and an electric drill with a lamb's wool buffing pad. Amazing how buffing the lenses changed the clarity of the lens and reflective qualities.

3M has a kit for doing the same thing. I saw it at the AAPEX / SEMA show in Las Vegas last November. The kit costs about $20 USD or about $30 CDN. It comes with three grades of sanding discs and a buffing pad with compound to complete the job. The 3M kit goes a bit further in cleaning the lens though by removing any stone chips and irregularities due to road damage.

But, for about 20 minutes work and no cost, I'm happy with the way it turned out.

['97ventureowner]

I've noticed other threads on this site from other members who have reported good results buffing out the haze and improving the quality of their headlights. Thanks for the update on this product. I'll have to remember it if I should need to use something like that in the future.
It's a whole different ballgame out there nowadays. Back then when you had this issue, all you had to do was replaced the sealed glass headlight with a new one and you were good to go.

[spike88]

I too find the "low beam" on the Uplander / Montana vans very poor. I'm currently waiting for "H11 ULTRA SilverStar Headlight Bulbs" to be available in my area. If wondering, I replaced factory bulbs with SS Ultra bulbs in my previous vehicle and was very impressed. These Ultras seem to be 30% (or so) brighter. Hoping the H11/55W SS Ultras will be available (and affordable) in my remote area soon.

For more details, surf: http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...ce/Silverstar/

re:
Low beam headlamp
H11
H11ST Silverstar High Performance Lighting: The Whiter and Brighter Halogen
H11XV XtraVision Halogen - The Brighter Light

High beam headlamp
H11
H11ST Silverstar High Performance Lighting: The Whiter and Brighter Halogen
H11XV XtraVision Halogen - The Brighter Light

Note: If my new van blew a headlight bulb today, I'd be "special ordering" new SS Ultra bulbs tomorrow. Especially if the low beam bulb blew. That's how impressed I am with their SS Ultra line.

.

[1999montana]

Here's the link for the 3M lens restoration kit:

http://www.shop3m.com/60455033872.html

Price update: $24.99 USD

[Chucky cheese]

Used the 3M kit and wow. Made the headlamps like new and of coarse I can see so much better at night. When you start you are actually sanding the lens and you start wondering what have I done here, but dont worry follow the instructions. I am very pleased with this product. Good Luck

[spike88]

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In addition to polishing the outer light assembly lens, may I recommend replacing factory H11 bulbs with modified H9 bulbs as well. To make the H9 bulbs fit, simply modify the plastic connector and the steel locking base of the H9 bulb. Simple 5 minute modification for each light bulb. If wondering, H11 bulbs are 55W lights. H9 are 65W lights. re: 10W brighter - on factory wiring and factory light assembly. And best of all, the normal "on shelf" H9 bulbs cost much less compared to the "super bright" H11 bulbs. Like the Ultra Star / Ultra bright H11 bulbs (which are often special order as well).

For more details of H11 to "brighter bulb" H9 bulb conversion, surf:

http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/1st-ge...onversion.html


This worked great on my '09 Montana van...


Hope this helps your van as well...

.

[kcarlen]

The 3M link doesn't work...
any more information anywhere?

I tried the Oven cleaner trick mentioned in past posts....wasted my time and efforts...
Actually seemed to make it worse.
I am interested in exactly what abrasives that are required.....to avoid the sudden heart/blood pressure spike and sweat attack when I realize that I am grinding into the plastic!

Any other pointers?

[rkvons]

Originally Posted by kcarlen

Any other pointers?

Type "headlight polish" into your browser search and hit return.

[spike88]

Originally Posted by 1999montana

Here's the link for the 3M lens restoration kit:

http://www.shop3m.com/60455033872.html

Price update: $24.99 USD

Is correct URL http://www.shop3m.com/3m-headlight-l...on-system.html ????

Just wondering...

.

[1999montana]

Originally Posted by spike88

Is correct URL http://www.shop3m.com/3m-headlight-l...on-system.html ????

Just wondering...

.

Yep,...looks like 3M moved the original page I mentioned...you got it dead on!

[MarkNYC]

I bought a set of new ones for only $ 90.00 and free shipping. It was easy to install and restored the brightness of my headlights to brand new. They are aftermarket and box was marked Eagle Eyes brand. See link below for description.

http://www.am-autoparts.com/AM/Headl...1/AM-13029798/