How to: Clean your headlights!
Just drivin' Marleiya
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 3
Here's the thread that I made on headlights when I was messing with my Jeep:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/w...al-mod-494045/
It might be of some help to some.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/w...al-mod-494045/
It might be of some help to some.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: brooksville, fl.
from the body shop.......
open the hood and look for the headlamp release tabs located just behind the headlamps. lift them up, you may need to use some effort, and look to be sure they are clear of the black headlamp retainers.
push the assembly foreward and "unplug" the lamp. do not twist the bulb out to release, leave it in the housing.
there are 3 nipples on the lens that you may want to remove to make polishing the lens easier. they are there for alignment tools to attach to and if you know how to adjust the lamps without the alignment tool, you won't need the nipples on the lens. if you decide to remove them, be carefull not to grind the surrounding lens area.
begin by agressivly wet sanding the lens face with 600 wet or dry sandpaper. you will notice a film or coating "breaking through" as you do this. sand off ALL the film untill you are down to the plastic of the lens.
we use 3-m brand "buffing compound' to start with, ( the tan stuff ), it's quick and works fast. once that is done, follow up with a, (polishing compound ) which is much finer and produces a nice "clarity" for the effort.
finally, a coat of your favorite wax finishes the job.
when you re install the lens, be mindfull of the slotted guides for installation. you will see them as you begin to insert the lamp. they MUST slide on the guides as the lamp goes in. ( tip: a little grease on the guides and the back of the black plastic retainers makes the job of installation a lot easier). when the lens is in place, look behind and make sure the headlamp release tabs fit into the slots in the black plastic retainers as you push them down.
why pop the lenses out? you don't have to tape off the surrounding area. you won't be slinging compound all over your truck to clean up after. it's easier to sand and buff the lens with it in your lap. and, if you want to go to a super bulb, this would be the time to do it, just remember when replacing halogen (or the like) bulbs, NEVER touch the bulb itself with your fingers. the oils on your skin will shorten the lif of bulb.
push the assembly foreward and "unplug" the lamp. do not twist the bulb out to release, leave it in the housing.
there are 3 nipples on the lens that you may want to remove to make polishing the lens easier. they are there for alignment tools to attach to and if you know how to adjust the lamps without the alignment tool, you won't need the nipples on the lens. if you decide to remove them, be carefull not to grind the surrounding lens area.
begin by agressivly wet sanding the lens face with 600 wet or dry sandpaper. you will notice a film or coating "breaking through" as you do this. sand off ALL the film untill you are down to the plastic of the lens.
we use 3-m brand "buffing compound' to start with, ( the tan stuff ), it's quick and works fast. once that is done, follow up with a, (polishing compound ) which is much finer and produces a nice "clarity" for the effort.
finally, a coat of your favorite wax finishes the job.
when you re install the lens, be mindfull of the slotted guides for installation. you will see them as you begin to insert the lamp. they MUST slide on the guides as the lamp goes in. ( tip: a little grease on the guides and the back of the black plastic retainers makes the job of installation a lot easier). when the lens is in place, look behind and make sure the headlamp release tabs fit into the slots in the black plastic retainers as you push them down.
why pop the lenses out? you don't have to tape off the surrounding area. you won't be slinging compound all over your truck to clean up after. it's easier to sand and buff the lens with it in your lap. and, if you want to go to a super bulb, this would be the time to do it, just remember when replacing halogen (or the like) bulbs, NEVER touch the bulb itself with your fingers. the oils on your skin will shorten the lif of bulb.
