Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Body/Appearance/Interior => Topic started by: cougar1car on August 18, 2010, 12:04:45 AM

Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: cougar1car on August 18, 2010, 12:04:45 AM
Well I took a few hours and took all lights out of car today to get rid of the yellowing.. I love the new look...

Before
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0226.jpg)

After 1st sanding with 1000 grit sandpaper
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0227.jpg)

After 2nd sanding with 2500 grit
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0229.jpg)

After Buffer coat
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0230.jpg)

After 1st final coating
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0231.jpg)

Finally done.... 2nd coating
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0232.jpg)
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: cougar1car on August 18, 2010, 12:07:16 AM
Big difference with lights shining through clear lenses

(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0238.jpg)

(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0237.jpg)

[(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0236.jpg)

Hard to see during the day but I really like it
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0233.jpg)

Next job is to repaint the bumpers... Whats the best paint to use???
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: vinnietbird on August 18, 2010, 12:13:09 AM
Wow !!!.great job. As far as the bumpers,I used Bumper Black.It's a nice semi-flat black.I've also used Krylon and Rustoleum semi flat black.All with good results.
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: Watchdevil on August 18, 2010, 12:56:51 AM
Yes that is a good job!

I second Vinnie on the Duplicolor Bumper Black paint.
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: 88CougarGT on August 19, 2010, 05:53:59 PM
Quote from: cougar1car;332384

Next job is to repaint the bumpers... Whats the best paint to use???


Blue.  Yea....Blue paint.
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: cougar1car on August 19, 2010, 10:54:40 PM
Quote from: 88CougarGT;332667
Blue.  Yea....Blue paint.


I was thinking more yellow but I guess blue would work too :hick:
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: Masejoer on August 19, 2010, 11:47:41 PM
Wow....ummm...are those 9004 bulbs? They don't look to be as that glare is horrendous.

"coats"? Did you use clearcoat over the lenses? I was able to get the lights like new just sanding the polishing out the plastic but true car clearcoat will likely last longer since sanding the plastic takes any UV protection out of the outer plastic (people say most oem lights have this, but I've no idea). Clearcoats normally don't have much UV blocking capabilities either though but it's better than nothing, and easier to buff out later on.
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: mcb82gt on August 20, 2010, 08:32:13 AM
I used SEM bumper paint, I ordered it online somewhere.  Supposed to be really good stuff.

I had a thread about it somewhere on here.
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: jpc647 on August 20, 2010, 09:51:51 AM
Did you actually notice a difference driving at night? I went through this, the lights looks brand new when I was done, but I still couldn't see very well at night.
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: 88CougarGT on August 20, 2010, 09:56:45 AM
Your refelctors are probably bad.  I did the same thing.  First I sanded, then I replaced the bulbs with high wattage ones (and relays) still couldn't see at night. I finally glued tinfoil to the back of the buckets.  WOW, what a difference.  I would try a good chrome spray paint next time around.

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=27516
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: cougar1car on September 12, 2010, 07:59:21 PM
Quote from: Seek;332713
Wow....ummm...are those 9004 bulbs? They don't look to be as that glare is horrendous.

"coats"? Did you use clear coat over the lenses? I was able to get the lights like new just sanding the polishing out the plastic but true car clear coat will likely last longer since sanding the plastic takes any UV protection out of the outer plastic (people say most oem lights have this, but I've no idea). Clear coats normally don't have much UV blocking capabilities either though but it's better than nothing, and easier to buff out later on.



They were 9004 Bulbs... The driver headlight was aimed way too high had to adjust it down.
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0296.jpg)


Also this is the product I used and am very happy with the result. I am sure there are other ways to accomplish the same result but again I am very happy.
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z14/cougar1car/IMG_0228-1.jpg)
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: cougar1car on September 12, 2010, 08:00:52 PM
Quote from: jpc647;332736
Did you actually notice a difference driving at night? I went through this, the lights looks brand new when I was done, but I still couldn't see very well at night.


I don't do much driving at night.. So not sure but it looks much better.
Title: Tackled the yellow headlight problem... Pics..
Post by: Masejoer on September 12, 2010, 10:56:24 PM
Why the blue bulb? That'll cut out like 1/4 of your usable light output and if they're the same wattage as stock, they put out no more light (and more glare in humid air) before the blue filtering.

As for clear lenses, even with new headlights and using foglights, the output from our headlights still suck. The 9004 bulb is also pretty lacking in pretty much all cars that use it. Still through, clear lenses with good mirror-finish reflectors and relays to give your headlights 14V will make them adequate. You will still have two hotspots in the road in front but aimed properly, they work.