Interior Exterior
Q:
My headlight covers have smears on the inside. They weren't as apparent when I had halogens but with newly installed HIDs, the smuges are apparent. How do I get the clear part off the blak part and then back on after I clean them?
A:
You can't. You can clean them with the black part attached.
Remove the headlamp bucket from the clam and then clean inside carefully.
A:
You can't. You can clean them with the black part attached.
Remove the headlamp bucket from the clam and then clean inside carefully.
what do you mean carefully? windex only?
A:
"Carefully" may mean it's hard to get to the entire inner surface of the clear cover. Be careful what you stick in there to reach into the corners. I suggest using Stoners or a similar alcohol-based glass cleaner. Windex or similar product will leave a soap film. It may not be visible at first, but will be at some future time.
A:
No. Be really careful as it seems they scratch quite easily. When I had my clam replaced, the dealer wasn't very careful about keeping the inside of the housings clean (brand new housings due to the burning fix at that) and whatever they used to clean one of them scratched the hell out of it. This is probably only one of the housings was cleaned inside. You're probably better off leaving them as they currently are.
A:
well I cleaned one of them out so far and there is a dramatic difference in light output from the other side. It also looks a heck of alot better.
See...
not clean and then clean
See the film on the not cleaned one and there is no film on the clean one.
A:
I had the fenderwell out on the driver's side. So I tried to clean the inside of the lens. Got the same symptoms with the HIDs as you do. I used a long artery clamp and cotton balls to get way back inside. It seems better but I may pull and try again. I soaked them overnight with distilled water as I didn't want to damage the plastic. I figured it probably had mold release on it. What the heck is it? It looks BAD when the lights are on. Sucks for a new car, people notice it.
A:
Well now that I've cleaned them it looks 100,000 times better
There is less light caught on the cover and more on the road.
A:
not clean and then clean
See the film on the not cleaned one and there is no film on the clean one.
No, sir - I can't tell the difference.
A:
No, sir - I can't tell the difference.
ok, look how the beam pattern looks like it it hitting some film vs the 2nd pic where it only hits dust.
A:
I had the fenderwell out on the driver's side. So I tried to clean the inside of the lens. Got the same symptoms with the HIDs as you do. I used a long artery clamp and cotton balls to get way back inside. It seems better but I may pull and try again. I soaked them overnight with distilled water as I didn't want to damage the plastic. I figured it probably had mold release on it. What the heck is it? It looks BAD when the lights are on. Sucks for a new car, people notice it.
How did the distilled water work out? Safe to perform (no ill effects on seals, etc)? I'm pulling the bulbs tomorrow...