Cleaning sealed headlights - Tips and tricks?

[AB]

Hi blokes, I know I asked this question about a year ago but I can't find it and my headlights are like candles in the wind...lol

I have sealed HID lights and after too many deep bog holes they eventually filled up with muddy water and stained everything inside, hence the reflectivity is quite poor.

Being a sealed unit I can only get the globe out and the hole is only a 20 cent piece in diameter to get inside so hard to get something inside and then bend around to scrap the stains off the back.

How does everyone else get the mud stain off??????????

Pipe cleaner that you bend around maybe and scrape the crap off??

I have tried sitting all kinds of chemicals in there, swirling around and let sit for hours but no joy!

[growler2058]

I used a piece of fencing wire and small bit of cloth and clean water


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[trekster]

This idea would be a goer if you can remove the lights out of the car,

Maybe in a drill a long drill bit or allthread with some cloth wrapped around the end and spin it at low speed and clean up the crap off the lense etc....


Cheers,
Eric.

[AB]

I can remove the lights just a PITA to get something in there and back around.

I like the idea with the fencing wire Growler....Might have to steal a coat hanger from the bedroom...lol

[taslucas]

what about one of those flexible bottle brush things?

[AB]

what about one of those flexible bottle brush things?

Yeah I was thinking about one of those too, the ones with the wires wrapped around each other that you bend and hold shape.

[taslucas]

like so:
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/07/71.jpg

or...

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/07/72.jpg

[taslucas]

Yeah I was thinking about one of those too, the ones with the wires wrapped around each other that you bend and hold shape.

yeah thats the one

[AB]

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=2ycyqFarcIDOpM&tbnid=95b4OCBK_MLSJM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homebrewery.com%2Fwine%2Fwine-bottle-sanitizing.shtml&ei=X3LmUYKGLcWlkQWF_oCQCQ&bvm=bv.49405654,d.dGI&psig=AFQjCNFCxNu6NPCF3GQ-W3wGQwoCeEUeBg&ust=1374143434995247Or this....
http://www.homebrewery.com/images/carboy-brush.jpg

This might work too...
http://myhumorspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/cat-in-a-bottle-300x236.jpg

[Avo]

could you make something like a fish tank glasscleaner,the ones with a scrub pad and a magnet?might have to make one you might.

[AB]

could you make something like a fish tank glasscleaner,the ones with a scrub pad and a magnet?might have to make one you might.

Might be hard on the metal back though where It's stain and It's curved too. I remember back in the day with those magnets they were a night mare when you lost magnetism and it dropped to the bottom of the fish tank...lol

[taslucas]

]Or this....
[IMG]http://www.homebrewery.com/images/carboy-brush.jpg

This might work too...
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/07/73.jpg

bwahahahahahahaaaaa that is effkin funny! hahahaha

[Ben89]

Try putting vinegar and some rice in there, shake it about a bit and see if that does the trick


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[AB]

Try putting vinegar and some rice in there, shake it about a bit and see if that does the trick


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Good idea, I like it!!!


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[kevin07]

without having looked at this old equipment on gqs. can you not heat them and split them or are these I piece if one piece easy fix buy a new one I doubt you would be able to renew that colour finish anyway.gu kev

[taslucas]

without having looked at this old equipment on gqs. can you not heat them and split them or are these I piece if one piece easy fix buy a new one I doubt you would be able to renew that colour finish anyway.gu kev

The old original lights are fully sealed and theres no way anything gets into them. Andy has replaced them with new semi sealed lights that have a removable globe. The water gets in around the globe seal. I am in the same predicament. The original "old technology" is a better set up but you cant buy them with new technology bright globes fitted.

FanTapstic!

[Winnie]

I don't understand why somebody has not made semi sealed lights with a GOOD seal around the globe. They all leak and are a massive PITA. I'd put some selastic around them or something.


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[taslucas]

I think Andy tried that previously?
But yeah it's crap. I fitted nice new bright semi sealed and about a month later one was dirty and no brighter than the old one.

FanTapstic!

[kevin07]

The old original lights are fully sealed and theres no way anything gets into them. Andy has replaced them with new semi sealed lights that have a removable globe. The water gets in around the globe seal. I am in the same predicament. The original "old technology" is a better set up but you cant buy them with new technology bright globes fitted.

FanTapstic!

ok so you say you cant put a decent seal around the lights I would say you need to think outside of the square and forget about selastics and find something new to use there will be something for certain or the alternative is good time to trade up to a gu lol.kev

[taslucas]

Yeah the idea is to find a good way of sealing them but first, they gotta be cleaned

[rkinsey]

AB, did you try any CLR? http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/CLR-Calcium-Lime-Rust-Cleaner.aspx?pid=1410

[kevin07]

Yeah the idea is to find a good way of sealing them but first, they gotta be cleaned

use the ones you have as test dummies when you find the solution buy new ones its going to be hard if not impossible to restore them lights

[Ben89]

Ever get them cleaned with any of those methods?


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[AB]

I'm going to give one of these a try this weekend so I'll get back to you mate.

[rkinsey]

How dod you go AB? Get em clean?

if not, use toothpaste. Yes that was toothpaste. Can only use it on glass though. Its great for polishing metal as well.

Cheers,

Rob

[AB]

How dod you go AB? Get em clean?

if not, use toothpaste. Yes that was toothpaste. Can only use it on glass though. Its great for polishing metal as well.

Cheers,

Rob

I keep forgetting to do,it..lol. This weekend I promise!

Toothpaste is a good idea.

[nissannewby]

I'm going to give one of these a try this weekend so I'll get back to you mate.

You know aftermarket ones are like $60 a pair :p

[AB]

You know aftermarket ones are like $60 a pair :p

Depending on how much I charge myself out for labour that may be a very viable option mate....lmao