brand new lights for under $100

[Lincolns Own]

ok, now that i got ur attention...

my mom took our car to the shop to see what was wrong with our computer and anti-theft. while she was there, she saw a display that showed crappy headlights, (yellow and fogged like ours get), and the headlights after the shop fixes them. my mom asked about it and they said it only cost $90. my mom said what the hell, $90 is better then paying $1k for new ones.

so she called me and told me this, and i was like WHAT THE HELL!!! FRAUD!!! RIPOFF!!! well, she said that it was a 7-step process, and they clean the headlights from the OUTSIDE. they dont even take it apart or anything. when she got home, i ran outside, and the lights are clean as hell. and you can actually see the highway at night. i was so happy because i like driving with my parking lights on (looks bad and evil :gr_devil and now, they are both the same brightness and they look clear.

i just thought i'd put that out. i'd like feedback because im sure some of you are like me and dont think that a little shop on the corner can fix a problem that ur lincoln dealership cant.

(i had seen the display before but always thought it was a rip. my lesson, dont be judgemental)

 

[KainDTE]

What is the process called? and in your photo garage is that what they looked like before or after? can you post a pic of what they looked like before or after if you have one?

 

[CobraConti]

its probably the same process as the tech article on lincolnsonline.com, the dealer got ahold of it, and decided it would be a good way to make a buck. That tech article is awesome. Did it on my Conti and the lights literally looked brand new. That lasted about a year. Gotta do it again. Go out and put a good layer of wax on those lights to protect them and do so regularly.

 

[Chaoticbastard]

I thought it was the reflective coating on the inside of the lens.So cleaning it externally wont help?Who is right?

 

[turborich]

the inside of the lens is what burns or dis-colors, cleaning the outside is easy. a high speed polisher and some compond for plastics will do that. mine is messed up on the inside, sounds like yours just had some oxidation on your lights.

 

[John Hubertz]

the three types of light deterioration....

There are three ways these lights fail (lenses) not counting deterioration of the chrome finish in the reflector.

1. Environmental deterioration or hazing/scratching of the outer surface - repairable with the techniques described in other posts and used by this postees body shop

2. UV deterioration of the lexan (yellowing) this condition goes all the way "through" the plastic and while technique #1 will help, you wind up with nice, shiny, yellow lights.

3. Chlorine leaching - Most common on Bosch headlamp surrounds on 1980's mercedes, this condition causes internal "crazing" of the lexan and opacity. Unrepairable/won't matter if you polish till they're gone. Characterized by a gajillion teensy cracks visible if you look close. Tossem.

I'd be curious if applying sunblock wouldn't help avoid continued yellowing and hazing.....maybe I'll try that on mine.

PS: the replacement light project is now in the quote phase - an Indian manufacturer is quoting both glass lenses and complete headlamps in a simplified plastic design.

 

[mespock]

PS: the replacement light project is now in the quote phase - an Indian manufacturer is quoting both glass lenses and complete headlamps in a simplified plastic design.

This is what I'm waiting to hear about! Can't wait!! Thanks for picking up the ball John and checking this out!

 

[Lincolns Own]

the pic in my garage is of a before. i can post a new pic friday. i dont know what the process was called, but on the report, it said lens cleaning/repair kit.

it actually cost $39 and labor was $20.

 

[bradley_3158]

I was curious where u got ur lights cleaned. Mine are pretty bad, and i live outside of KC. Thanks

 

[WA-ST8-MK8]

PS: the replacement light project is now in the quote phase - an Indian manufacturer is quoting both glass lenses and complete headlamps in a simplified plastic design.

Do you have more info and/or the link on the headlamps?
With how Seattle area roads are I try to avoid driving when dark and rainy out (which is often in winter) and because they tax the hell out of us for roads and don't fix anything you can only see both center reflectors and fog line on 1/50 roads, plus you add the wet roadway relcting all sorts of light back, man its a real nightmare My friends don't know how I can drive and are a bit freaked out when they ride in those conditions because they can't see the road either, I have to memorze where I drive.