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Topic: Headlamp Cleaning (Read 2599 times) previous topic - next topic

Headlamp Cleaning

Hello all,
 
I've spent the better part of this morning browsing and searching this and various other sites... there is tons of info on headlamps, including how to reassemble, but I am left with one question.
 
How do you actually separate the light cover with the assembly? Without breakin' the darn thing?
 

 
I know it's some kind of adhesive, and there are plenty of ideas on this site alone about putting them back together...
 
Taking them apart... that's a little vauge...  A sharp blade and screwdriver maybe?  But there is quite the lip, I doubt I could stick a blade in far enough?
 
You're welcome to slap me if the answer is soooo simple :bowdown:
 
 
Thanks all!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Operation: X Marks the Spot
5.0L SEFI, AOD, 8.8" 3.02 TracLok - All Stock

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #1 –
I 've read about people baking them in the oven on low heat to make them pop apart. I my self said forget that. I used a good ole butter knife. I wedged the knife between the housing and the lens. I worked around the light over and over again. I worked around it twisting the knife a little in the gap worked around it several times. Finally It poped right off. That is how I did it for my 94 cougar lights. Make sure you se off all the old yellow glue that is partly why they have the yellow look.
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #2 –
I don't like the idea of roasted headlamps for dinner.... :hick:
 
So, basically just a butter knife and plenty of patience!
 
You may slap me now.... lol, thanks ipsd!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Operation: X Marks the Spot
5.0L SEFI, AOD, 8.8" 3.02 TracLok - All Stock

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #3 –
I have one that popped off in my driveway, the other I could never get apart. I finally cured the problem with 2 NOS headlamp assys.

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #4 –
I've got NOS lights in the garage waiting for the Sport to get painted.They are light years better than even polished lights.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #5 –
yeah both of mine in my 88 bird I pulled apart with my bare hands, while I had to fight with the Cougar ones...  as you are working it, you will see the glue seperating from the headlight itself...  just take your time and be very patient, and yeah a heat gun REALLY makes it easier and faster..

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #6 –
How about having the buckets chrome plated before installing the lenses.If enough people would do it,the actual cost per person would be cheaper.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..
 

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #7 –
the plastic X meguires stuff isnt worth JACK. Makes them clear for about 3 hours then they re cloud.
I took a set of tbird lights, and started with 320 grit, then went in steps all the way to 1200 grit paper and wet sanded them. Then I threw a coat of wax onto them and they look AWESOME. 15x better then they did.
here you can see the results, right is wet sanded and waxed, left is the way they came off the car. Blasted them inside with hot water and some soap. Swished them around and rinsed them out.

close ups


not sure if this is the most efficient way but thats the way I did it, and the headlight needed some more work.
RIP 1988 and 1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC
I welcomed the dark side and currently am driving a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT plus, with a 5.9, Code named project "Night Runner"
Shes black on black, fully loaded, with headers, 180 tstat, e fan, straight exhaust into a cherry bomb vortex ler, full tune up, ported intake and T/B, MSD coil, and round aircleaner.
Mods to come: Fully rebuilt and heavily modded 46RE, and a richmond rachet locker.
my $300 beater ;)
R.I.P Kayleigh Raposa 12/18/90 - 2/24/07

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #8 –
I don't really have a plan for those headlamp assys yet... they're just in really dirty condition and I wanted to clean them without spending any money, and perhaps more importantly, without breaking anything. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a set of NOS lights... but I have to work with what I got for now.
 
I managed to get the lens off yesterday with the butter knife and plenty of patience.
 
I got the cleanup idea from this thread
 
daboss351, what is 'plastic X meguires'?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Operation: X Marks the Spot
5.0L SEFI, AOD, 8.8" 3.02 TracLok - All Stock

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #9 –
its a polish from Maguires. Suppose to clear up clouded plastic, it barely does anything.
RIP 1988 and 1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC
I welcomed the dark side and currently am driving a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT plus, with a 5.9, Code named project "Night Runner"
Shes black on black, fully loaded, with headers, 180 tstat, e fan, straight exhaust into a cherry bomb vortex ler, full tune up, ported intake and T/B, MSD coil, and round aircleaner.
Mods to come: Fully rebuilt and heavily modded 46RE, and a richmond rachet locker.
my $300 beater ;)
R.I.P Kayleigh Raposa 12/18/90 - 2/24/07

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #10 –
Quote from: daboss351;219612
its a polish from Maguires. Suppose to clear up clouded plastic, it barely does anything.
lol, thanks.  I guess I won't worry 'bout it.
 
One other question, the difference between wet sanding and dry sanding.... are they different types of sandpaper?  Or do I just toss a little bit of water onto a conventional 'dry' sandcloth?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Operation: X Marks the Spot
5.0L SEFI, AOD, 8.8" 3.02 TracLok - All Stock

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #11 –
different papers.
wet paper is more durable and wont fall apart when wet sanding. By wet sanding the paper doesnt clog up, and you get a smoother end result. Its what they do after  paint jobs to clean up the clear coat before they buff it to a shine.
RIP 1988 and 1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC
I welcomed the dark side and currently am driving a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT plus, with a 5.9, Code named project "Night Runner"
Shes black on black, fully loaded, with headers, 180 tstat, e fan, straight exhaust into a cherry bomb vortex ler, full tune up, ported intake and T/B, MSD coil, and round aircleaner.
Mods to come: Fully rebuilt and heavily modded 46RE, and a richmond rachet locker.
my $300 beater ;)
R.I.P Kayleigh Raposa 12/18/90 - 2/24/07

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #12 –
Learn something new everyday.
 
Thanks daboss351.
 
Before I get into all that though, I still need to separate the remaining assemblies.... lol, the first one was time consuming enough!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Operation: X Marks the Spot
5.0L SEFI, AOD, 8.8" 3.02 TracLok - All Stock

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #13 –
Don't stop with 1200 grit,go all the way up to 2000.You'll see an even greater difference.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Headlamp Cleaning

Reply #14 –
Yeah Vinnie?  I'll make sure I do...
Now, is that wet or dry?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Operation: X Marks the Spot
5.0L SEFI, AOD, 8.8" 3.02 TracLok - All Stock