fog

[mongo]

what makes headlights fog up anyone know and how do you prevent it

 

[locovaca]

Well, there are a couple of sources:

1. Water getting into the assembly and forming a "dew" on the inside (although that's pretty apparent)

2. Road debris hitting and scratching the lens. That's why you can sand it down to a relatively smooth surface again, apply some Meguires, and they look like new.

 

[4x4junkie]

The yellowish haze that occurs with age is from the sun.
A plastic cleaner/polish should get rid of it. If it's real bad, you may need to put some effort into it and go over it a few times (wet-sanding with some extremely fine-grit sandpaper (#1500 or finer I'm thinking) should make getting rid of it go a bit quicker)

 

[snoman6115]

my buddy bought a turtle wax headlight restore kit from auto zone for under $10 and it works awesome, its jsut fine sandpaper and some spray and plastic polish but it works great

 

[mongo]

yeah ive done that but in thinking of getting clear headlights and i was wondering really how long would they stay that way

 

[Original_Ranger84]

They should stay fairly clean and clear as long as you take care of them... you could always get like a 3m film that goes over the top and prevents that stuff too...

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

Is it yellowing on the outside, or is it actual foglike stuff on the inside? All the above posts help you with the yellowing.

I'll add that you may be getting moisture in the housing due to a bad seal between the two halves of the lenses or a bad seal at the bulb. Take you lamp and keep 'em in the house for a few hours, or however long it takes to get rid of the fog. Then take some bathroom clear silocone/RTV and run a bead on the joint between both halves of the housing. And replace the headlight bulb to have yourself a brand new seal.

 

[locovaca]

yeah ive done that but in thinking of getting clear headlights and i was wondering really how long would they stay that way

I sanded and polished my Accord headlamps two and a half years ago and they're still clear. I just rub in a new layer of polish ever 6 months or so to keep it up to date. I did my Ranger 6 months ago and they still look good.

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

I've always wondered about after the sand job and polish, how about clear coating them, preserving whats underneeth?

 

[That Baker Guy]

comet toilet bowl cleaner, mixed with some water and a FINE steel wool, works like a charm for alot less $$$

 

[mongo]

nice

so how do you take care of them

just go over them when you wax your truck with plactic polosh