28830 Members
60 Forums
118702 Topics
1673950 Posts
Max Online: 997 @ 11/10/09 08:47 PM
|
|
|
#1642377 - 10/23/09 07:27 AM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: Pman]
|
Registered: 03/28/08
Posts: 248
Loc: St. louis
|
I have always thought that the best thing to do is keep all chemicals away from the lenses. My lenses, 10 years old on one car and 8 years on another are perfectly clear. I only use soap and water on them and keep all waxes and other cleaners away from them. The wifes 2000 Sable (not one of the two above) developed a leak and had condensation on the inside and it failed the safety inspection. It was also fogged on the outside I assume because the contant use of automatic car washes and possibly the previouls owners habits. I replaced the lens with a brand new one and it was no more clear than my factory lenses on my 2002 Sable.
The step daughters Camery had lenses so bad the headlights were almost useless. I used Mequires PlastX on them and got great results. I thought they would be beyond help.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1643894 - 10/24/09 10:19 AM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: Bamaro]
|
Registered: 04/12/05
Posts: 204
Loc: Long Island, NY
|
I use plexus plastic cleaner and it works great on the headlights. Unless they are really bad it usually makes them clear
_________________________
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L, Mopar H.O Cams+Valve Springs,AFE Stage 2 ProDry Filter Cold Air intake, Flowmaster 50 SUV exhaust,Superchips tuned
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1644300 - 10/24/09 04:24 PM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: sanitarium16]
|
Registered: 01/25/08
Posts: 417
Loc: Guilford, CT
|
Think for a minute what it would be like to drive without a windshield. Think of all the airborne junk that would hit you in the face. All of that stuff IS hitting your headlights and chips away and deteriorates them.
_________________________
2006 Ford Ranger Sport- M1 0w-30 1994 Ford Explorer Sport- ST syn 5w-30 1992 Honda Accord EX- M1 0w-30
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1644591 - 10/24/09 08:54 PM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: exranger06]
|
Registered: 04/26/09
Posts: 293
Loc: earth
|
The comment about UV rays damaging todays typical plastic lexan like lenses is spot on...Of course I bet most people don't know that the halogen bulb itself also contributes to this deterioration as well.
But generally you can wax the lens safely the petrolium evaporates very quickly so does no damage. The UV protection is worth it...look for a wax that specifically states it has UV protection in it.
My 96 Golf has an acrylic lens and after moderate care they are looking almost new....
Another issue is the INSIDE of lamps including the reflector in the inside of the lens...If anything evaporates off say a bulb it will redeposit itself into the reflector and lens all you can do is maybe clean with a damp lightly applied dish detergent sponge attached securely onto a coat hanger.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1644730 - 10/24/09 10:53 PM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: ChiTDI]
|
Registered: 07/04/03
Posts: 1427
Loc: San Antonio, TX
|
I cleaned mine tonight with Crystal View from Walmart. One looks good and one looks like new.
_________________________
Procrastinators Unite Tomorrow!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1645282 - 10/25/09 01:22 PM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: jorton]
|
Registered: 02/19/09
Posts: 160
Loc: Upstate, NY
|
I always wax the headlights. It works pretty good!
_________________________
1995 Ford Taurus GL 3.8L. PP 5W30, Motorcraft FL-400S. Past: 1994 Saturn SL2 1.9L Auto. Diff Pin Blew!!125K miles as of 3/13/09
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1646357 - 10/26/09 10:01 AM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: jorton]
|
Registered: 07/22/05
Posts: 203
Loc: NorthEast
|
I don't recall seeing Crystal View in my neck of Walmarts.
- Vikas
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1646874 - 10/26/09 05:22 PM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: Vikas]
|
Registered: 11/20/06
Posts: 415
Loc: MA
|
GM seems to be the worst from those i have seen,especially the ones with the lights that are all the time.
_________________________
ASE L1,L2,Master
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1647093 - 10/26/09 07:55 PM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: Vikas]
|
Registered: 12/19/03
Posts: 1263
Loc: Chicago IL
|
I don't recall seeing Crystal View in my neck of Walmarts.
- Vikas Not always on the shelves. I found mine in the auto service section on the counter. Clerks had no knowledge of it.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1647178 - 10/26/09 08:32 PM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: ChiTDI]
|
Registered: 11/24/03
Posts: 89
Loc: Rio Grande Valley
|
303 protectant blocks uv and if used regularly you should never have another problem.
_________________________
mgm13
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1647662 - 10/27/09 06:18 AM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: mgm13]
|
Registered: 07/04/03
Posts: 1427
Loc: San Antonio, TX
|
Is 303 silicone? I'm supposed to use silicone protectant on the lenses now.
_________________________
Procrastinators Unite Tomorrow!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1661445 - 11/06/09 07:47 PM
Re: What causes headlight lenses to fog over?
[Re: Trav]
|
Registered: 01/12/07
Posts: 611
Loc: Hotel Broslin
|
GM seems to be the worst from those i have seen,especially the ones with the lights that are all the time. I second that. My wife's impala (our only car now. Good riddance to the other one) has some scratches on the lights, but since I'm looking for work during the week I'll be able to get to them tomorrow/sunday finally.
_________________________
"...Smells like cheese..."--Stewie Griffin
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|