Soarer Central: Dirty Headlights

Soarer Central Bodywork and Exterior Dirty Headlights

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Barry Precious
Tinkerer
Moza
4.0GT V8

Posts: 27
Reg: 07-2007

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, September 15, 2008 - 09:09 pm, by: Barry Precious (Barryp)

Hi everyone, I would just like to share an experience I had. This last weekend I finally got round to the removal and cleaning of headlights as recomended.

The cooking went very well in the oven to my pleasant surprise and the light came out soft and tender like a tasty steak, lol.

But I was really surprised how the interior of the light was so clean. It really looked brand new inside which is not what I was expecting. The clear plastic lense was the only dirty culprit and I cleaned and cleaned the inside of it and it still looked brown and not clear at all. Now I know it was mentioned that you shouldn't use any strong cleaner to get it clean but because I wasn't getting anywhere I tried some handy-andy on the outside of the lense and to my surprise it turned out that the outside of the lense was the dirty culprit. Not the inside of the light...

In Japan there must be some serious polution because it took some pretty strong cleaning chemicals to get all the black grime off the outside lights.

I felt a bit foolish after stripping the lights to find that the grime was on the outside of the lense. Really the inside of the lights were spotless.

So before I didn't have leaky lights but now after opening and resealing I hope I haven't messed them up and now do have leaky lights.

My advise is to make sure that you do your best to clean the outside of the lights before just assuming that they are faded because they are leaky and dirty on the inside.

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 3766
Reg: 10-2005

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Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - 05:51 am, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

So true - never open your lights unless they are fogging, or have fogged a lot in the past. If they aren't getting moisture in them, chances are they will be quite clean inside.

Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 & Soarer 3.0GT JZZ31

Posts: 2496
Reg: 11-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - 09:36 am, by: Mike Beck (Gold_40gt)

It's funny though, I took my 1991 Lights out of my V8 (now on the 3l) and took one apart to just see what was inside, and since putting it back together it has not leaked at all or fogged up! However the other light I didn't touch has....

Quite strange.

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 3770
Reg: 10-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 06:17 am, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

My right front which I have never opened does very occasionally fog a little - only did it once this winter though, and it was a very bad winter! The left it took me 2 goes to re-seal properly after opening it to fix the indicator shroud popping off.

Jason Munro
TryHard
NSW
Soarer GTT-L

Posts: 125
Reg: 07-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 07:23 pm, by: Jason Munro (Jason_munro)

i didn't wanna risk stuffing mine up, so i sent them to the headlight hospital for a professional clean and recondition job.

i will post pics once they come back next week.

Jason.

Mike Triggs
Goo Roo
Western Australia
3.0GT G-Pack

Posts: 1150
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 09:21 pm, by: Mike Triggs (Mikeandimah)

Matthew Sharpe wrote on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 06:17 am:
My right front which I have never opened does very occasionally fog a little - only did it once this winter though, and it was a very bad winter! The left it took me 2 goes to re-seal properly after opening it to fix the indicator shroud popping off.

Why didn't you just leave the shroud off and put in a silver or a orange globe? I did this with my LH light but haven't pulled the RH light apart yet. They look better without the orange condom

Jason Munro
TryHard
NSW
Soarer GTT-L

Posts: 133
Reg: 07-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, September 19, 2008 - 01:08 am, by: Jason Munro (Jason_munro)

hi all.

thought i would share my before and after pictures.
i haven't got the lights back yet, but Scott at the headlight hospital emailed me the pictures, and i'm really happy with the final results.

total cost was $471 including the clear lenses.
i bought the clear lenses from ebay (Japan) and had Scott re-co the lights using the new lenses, instead of the old crappy ones.
also note the absence of the amber cap for the indicator.

i am using TRD chrome amber globes.
cant wait to get them back and in the car !

i might actually be able to see at night !

the total of $471 included postage both ways from Sydney to Melbourne.

Ryan Rankovic
Goo Roo
Victoria
Soarer TT GT-TL

Posts: 1121
Reg: 07-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, September 19, 2008 - 02:23 am, by: Ryan Rankovic (Ryan1j)

looks very nice Jason, where did you get the TRD globes from?

Jason Munro
TryHard
NSW
Soarer GTT-L

Posts: 134
Reg: 07-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, September 19, 2008 - 03:27 am, by: Jason Munro (Jason_munro)

i got the TRD chrome/amber globes from castle hill Toyota. they carry them in stock.

Jason.

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

Posts: 3773
Reg: 10-2005

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, September 19, 2008 - 06:18 am, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

Mike Triggs wrote on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 09:21 pm:
Why didn't you just leave the shroud off and put in a silver or a orange globe? I did this with my LH light but haven't pulled the RH light apart yet. They look better without the orange condom

Thought about it, but decided I didn't want to pull the other one apart just to do that mod.