All headlamp housings have Vents for moisture relief. A perfectly brand new headlamp housing may exhibit moisture within the housing from time to time because these housings are not sealed from atmosperic conditions i.e. high humidity and heaving rain and ice buildup on the outside will induce internal moisture. This is part of the design. It is important to inspect these vents as they can get clogged with dirt over the years and can also be the cause of persistant internal mositure...which can cause permanent clouding inside the lens over time.
BTW, 99% of the time it will never be the "O" Ring on the bulb causing moisture leaks. They just don't fail. Of course human error by not properly installing the bulb can always be an issue. But, that's a given...
These Vents are usually located high up on the rear of the housing... ususally two of them located apart from each other. As the heat from the bulb builds up, the moisture evaporates and exits through these vents and the inside lens clears up of mositure.. So in fact it is not necessarily a slight or minor crack that will produce this moisture alone. Sometimes the seal of the lens to housing will breach over the years and silicone may be reapplied around the whole assembly .
These vents appear to be short rubber downturned nipples/hoses or similar in description. Look closely at the back of your light housing(s).
For many many years Europe has been using this "unsealed design" and for this reason The USA/DOT (feds) have only recently allowed them for US use. That's why the "Sealed Beam Headlight" Bulbs only disappeared recently during the mid '80's in favor of this European design. The Feds finally allowed them along with with it's inherent design flaw/characteristics. But it enabled Mfrs. to contour these "Unsealed headlamp housings" more efficiently into the front body design for esthetic, more focused light projection and aerodynamic purposes.
BTW.. ALR looks bogus to me.
Just some food for thought.
LT
You may want to read the question again. No one is talking about moisture inside the lens.
The topic is oxidation removal.
In addition headlights are not designed with vents in them.
Where did you get your information from?
Just like light bulbs they are sealed to control the amount of exposure to air and water.
All electrical systems are sealed from moisture.
I don't know of any product that claims to remove moisture from headlight lens. If one did make such a claim, I would do some research and find out what other people say who have used it first, before I would draw attention to my lack of awareness and call it bogus.
My car has the same problem (moisture) and If there is a simple way to fix it, I want to know from people who have experience with the product and not just the biased opinion of someone who has no first hand experience or knowledge of the product.
You may want to read the question again. No one is talking about moisture inside the lens.
The topic is oxidation removal.
Uhh, you might want to go back and read this post:
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrRuckus13
Once the sealed lights are cracked it can only be glued or replaced. If there is absolutely no cracks you should check your light bulbs because they have a rubber gasket to help seal them into the headlight fixture. [/FONT]
good luck with the headlight ointment though
Quote:
Originally Posted by ErickTR
In addition headlights are not designed with vents in them.
Where did you get your information from?
Just like light bulbs they are sealed to control the amount of exposure to air and water.
All electrical systems are sealed from moisture.]
I had to replace the headlights on my wife's Honda, there was a rubber vent tube on the back of the new ones I bought. The original lights didn't have them.
Judging by the fact that you only have 3 posts under your belt (all in this thread) and the fact that you've dredged this thread up twice, makes me feel as if you have a vested interest in the Pittman product.
I'm not calling you a troll or spammer, but in researching Pittman products, I found some other auto forums where a person posted on the thread saying all kinds of great things about Pittman products, they also with a very low post count in those forums and were never heard from afterwards. One of the forums even banned the poster after finding out it was a spammer.
I was looking at my wife's HL the other day. Even after a car wash, the headlights looked pretty shabby. They are starting to cloud over and turn yellow.
Has anyone tried a headlight restoration on these headlights? I've seen a few chemical kits out there but I'm skeptical of the results.
The only true way to clear up the lenses is to sand them down and polish them back with progressively finer and finer micromesh abrasives. I was taught how to perform this process in A&P school so I know how labor intensive this process is.
I am not here to argue with you
You posted the question.
Another member brought up Pittman ALR product.
I agreed.
Someone else expressed doubt.
I gave proof that the product has good reviews.
now a verbal assault?
I thought you were sincere in trying to find the best way to clear up oxidation on your headlights.
All you have done is aggitate from the very start.
You want to critize the web site instead of focusing on solving the problem with oxidation on your lights.
That vent you spoke of in the headlight you bought is the difference between
OEM and FACTORY SPECS
VS
AFTERMARKET and SHADETREE
If you want refinish your headlights up with sandpaper, thats your right.
[quote=ErickTR;1216822]You may want to read the question again. No one is talking about moisture inside the lens.
The topic is oxidation removal.
In addition headlights are not designed with vents in them.
Where did you get your information from?
Just like light bulbs they are sealed to control the amount of exposure to air and water.
All electrical systems are sealed from moisture.
I don't know of any product that claims to remove moisture from headlight lens. If one did make such a claim, I would do some research and find out what other people say who have used it first, before I would draw attention to my lack of awareness and call it bogus.
My car has the same problem (moisture) and If there is a simple way to fix it, I want to know from people who have experience with the product and not just the biased opinion of someone who has no first hand experience or knowledge of the product.
Food for thought is best eaten when served.[/quote]
This thread started with issues of crazing headlights and matured to problems with clarity of the lens due to internal moisture build up. I addressed both from my perspective. I have much experience with restoration. I don't claim to be the Headlight guru. But I bring many years of experience to the table. I am familiar with automotive textiles and materials. My restoration background is extensive. I pretty much know what works and what doesn't.
Friction is the only way to remove oxidation on polycarbonate(Lexan). This friction in combination with a very fine polish is the only way to bring back some or most of the clarity on a combo lens.
I truly don't believe in sand paper. I have used this method, but as a last resort when all else has failed on severely oxidized/crazed headlamps. Just about when they are ready for replacement.
The ALR just costs too much for something that is merely wipe on wipe off. But to each his own. It is not a main stream product. Just a gimmick with much hype.
But then again if yu are dead set on trying all that is out there knock your self out.
I have never let my own headlamps get to the point where they are very crazed. Maintenance is key using a polcarb polish with UV inhibitors on a regular basis.
Regarding headlamp vents... yu are just ignorant to this. That is ok. But, as such, I suggest yu learn more about your vehicle and automotive design in general. All Combination headlamps are not sealed...they all have vents...whether yu can see them or not. Some are not readily visible. These vents are one way...meaning they can expel moisture ,but not allow water to readily enter. In any event Headlamp housings are not Sealed...they are open to the atmosphere. And there is always going to be moisture in the atmosphere. The headlamp housing is not a complex Electrical System. It is not designed to be perfectly sealed. This is intentional. Get it???
Yu insist that the topic is not about moisture, yet yu have moisture issues just as another member posted. Your statements are redundant.
Yu=
I am not here to argue with you
You posted the question.
Another member brought up Pittman ALR product.
I agreed.
Someone else expressed doubt.
I gave proof that the product has good reviews.
now a verbal assault?
I thought you were sincere in trying to find the best way to clear up oxidation on your headlights.
All you have done is aggitate from the very start.
You want to critize the web site instead of focusing on solving the problem with oxidation on your lights.
That vent you spoke of in the headlight you bought is the difference between
OEM and FACTORY SPECS
VS
AFTERMARKET and SHADETREE
If you want refinish your headlights up with sandpaper, thats your right.
Well good luck with your headlights.
I didn't intend it to be a verbal assault, I was just expressing my doubts as to the validity of the claims. I don't know you and you don't know me, which is why I had to do my own research. There is a chance I still may try ALR, the headlights are already clouded over, what can I loose besides a few bucks. Then I can post a true testimonial as to how well it works/how long it lasts.
Oh any your comment about OEM vs Factory... The new headlights (with the vents) were OEM headlights, bought from a brick and mortar Honda dealership. The parts manager was the bro-in-law of a guy I worked with. I got a good discount, otherwise I would have looked into other options
As far as oxidation removal, a simple application of a Plastic Polish with a Mothers PowerBall should do the trick just fine. Unless you need wetsanding, you can return most faded headlamps to like new factory condition.
autogeek.net has some great options on headlamp care. Diamondite even has a kit designed to work with a power drill to remove fading from headlights.
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ALR doesn't seem to be what I would use. But then again I never felt I needed to use it. I always get good results with the other methods mentioned. And for a better price.
Like I said earlier , knock youself out and try what's best for YOU.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion...last I heard.
As far as oxidation removal, a simple application of a Plastic Polish with a Mothers PowerBall should do the trick just fine. Unless you need wetsanding, you can return most faded headlamps to like new factory condition.
autogeek.net has some great options on headlamp care. Diamondite even has a kit designed to work with a power drill to remove fading from headlights.
Brandon.. I agree that the best results come from a friction /polishing method. The Mothers stuff has worked for me as well as Plastx and various 3M products.
I would like to actually see ALR in a demo before I would even consider buying this stuff.
Have yu actually used or tried it??
Also...have yu tried using a very fine Sanding cut prior to a polish.( for very bad almost beyond repair len's.) I feel it is a last resort to use this method. And if the lens is that far gone ...I don't feel that even ALR can do better. Some damage is just always beyond repair.
LT
Last edited by LifeTech; 03-01-2009 at 08:13 AM.
Reason: spel
I actually have no idea what this ALR is, never heard of it. Seems like smoke and mirrors to me.
I always wetsand headlights with 3000 grit before I do any kind of polishing (unless they are new)
I've done both methods and to be very honest it's a temp fix.. Once the oem coating are gone it's best to replace to brand new because the finish will be yellowed up within a few mo's
White toothpaste works wonders for clearing up headlights. All you do is hose the headlight lens down a bit (just enough so that its wet) and you you put a little toothpaste on a damp paper towel and buff the lens.
Ive done it before and it works pretty well.
__________________
All the best stuff is made in Japan.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tundra_Hick
The Tundra is a good single guy's truck. Its pretty, it doesn't rattle too much and its fast. Now I just need to find a woman who matches in all those respects.
I actually have no idea what this ALR is, never heard of it. Seems like smoke and mirrors to me.
I always wetsand headlights with 3000 grit before I do any kind of polishing (unless they are new)
The confusion here is someone comparing ALR to a resurfacer.
Sometimes a lens is damaged so bad you have to resurface it..
This is for people with oxidized plastic headlights who haven't used sandpaper and dont have damage.
I found this post with pictures in another forum.
This was one of my projects last weekend. I thought about the Pittmans stuff, but I had a hard time spending $30 on something whose website reminded me of a carnie sales booth.
I ended up going with Meguiar’s Headlight & Clear Plastic Restoration Kit that I picked up at Walmart. It worked well. Do they look as good as new? No, but they sure look better than before. If I have to do them once a year, so be it.
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Re: Anybody have luck with headlight restoration?
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