yellow headlight repair -- '87 Cougar *DUW*

[monterey1962]

Thought you guys might be interested in this.

I've been reading the threads and am going to attempt to clean and reseal the headlights on my '87 Cougar. Pulled all the lights off the front of the car tonight and brought them in the apt. so they warm up. I will try a few different techniques and hopefully remember to report on what I find. The headlight units I plan to pull apart, clean, and reseal with silicone adhesive since they have been getting moisture inside.

Pics and more info to come in the next few days.

One question: It's been mentioned that a small hole could be drilled in the bottom of the headlight unit to prevent moisture. Wouldn't that make it worse since it would be letting moisture in?

[Blaze86Vic]

That whole will cause moisture to get in, however, it also alows for it to evaporate out. Still, do not do it! The reflective surface will react to the moisture (if it has not already) and will become darker.

[monterey1962]

Spooky.


Yeah, I'd say that it's getting a little moisture in there.


Yuck!




The lenses on the inside lights popped right off. They were already coming off. Going to reglue them, but first I'm going to paint the back and sides (on the inside) silver.


The lenses popped right off with the help of a flat-head screwdriver. Insides still look good. Going to sand down the old sealant and give it a good bead of silicone adhesive.


Have to run to the store tonight and get sandpaper, rubbing compound, polish, and some chocolate.

[Lincolnmania]

i've drilled a hole already.........was on my old dodge spirit and my caravan.........chrysler headlights were real bad for holding moisture

seal yours back up that will be fine.........i've heard toothpaste works well for cleaning off the haze mang
scott

[monterey1962]

I just tried half a lense with the tooth paste. It seemed to take a little of the surface grime off, but the yellow is still there. Interesting, none-the-less. Didn't someone once say they cleaned their vinyl top with toothpaste?

Btw, the corner lamps and inside parking lamps have holes in the bottom of them. Obviously from the factory.

[Paul_]

DO NOT paint any of the reflectors in the lenses. if ya do that, the way the light is bounced off the reflector will get fucked up lol

[monterey1962]

Too late. I already painted the inside parking light housings silver/chrome. They were just a dull grey color to begin with. I did not paint the headlight housings.

Procedure:

1. Wet sanded the lenses with 1000 grit.
2. Wet sanded with 1200 grit.
3. Wet sanded with 1500 grit.
4. Turtle Wax rubbing compound.
5. Two doses of Turtle Wax polishing compound.
6. Finished off with McGuires auto wax.

They turned out pretty good. I did the lenses on all the light units. I should be able to seal them up tonight. Pics should be up in a few hours.

[Paul_]

Too late. I already painted the inside parking light housings silver/chrome. They were just a dull grey color to begin with. I did not paint the headlight housings.

Procedure:

1. Wet sanded the lenses with 1000 grit.
2. Wet sanded with 1200 grit.
3. Wet sanded with 1500 grit.
4. Turtle Wax rubbing compound.
5. Two doses of Turtle Wax polishing compound.
6. Finished off with McGuires auto wax.

They turned out pretty good. I did the lenses on all the light units. I should be able to seal them up tonight. Pics should be up in a few hours.

k, i just remember reading about some asshole on cvn doing that(but the headlight reflectors too) and bitching about the light output lol

[monterey1962]

The parking lights should only look a little brighter. Doing the entire inside of the headlight units would just be stupid. Only the sides and back are reflective with a metal reflector clipped to the top of the inside of the headlight unit.

Here's the finished product of an evening of work. I took my time. I'm a little high from the silicone adhesive, though.

Procedure:

1. Removed light units from car.
2. Removed lenses from the headlight and inside parking light units.
3. Wet sanded the lenses with 1000 grit.
4. Next, wet sanded with 1200 grit.
5. Then, wet sanded with 1500 grit.
6. Turtle Wax rubbing compound. Applied with cloth. Pressed firmly, but not hard.
7. Two doses of Turtle Wax polishing compound.
8. Finished off with McGuires auto wax.
9. Cleaned up the old adhesive for the lenses. What a pain that was. Utility knife and a rough sand paper came in handy.
10. Made sure the lenses fit properly, then applied a heavy bead of clear Silicone Adhesive to the light units. I went a little overboard with the silicone, but I wanted to ensure a good seal.
11. Slap 'em back on the car and enjoy.

Left is done. Right is not.


Used silver/chrome paint to do the inside parking light units.


All done.

[monterey1962]

Btw, I'll post pics of them in the car and on when I get a chance.

[86GmLsCoupe]

Think I may try to do that to my ditch lights. The silver paint has worn away and the light output has probably suffered some. I did repaint the silver in the tail lights so it does seem faily straight foward. I might grab some at a junk yark and work on them just in case. I know they make aftermarket ones but I don't like putting cheap garbage on my car.

1986 Grand Marquis LS - coupe [/url] http://photos.yahoo.com/leo76830

[gadget73]

Thought: what about chrome spray paint for doing the inside lens reflectors? Might shine a wee bit more than silver.

[monterey1962]

I used Dupli-colors' Chrome spray paint on mine. Doesn't seem to be too much of a difference than using silver.