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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: jack.pe on 29 July 2012, 21:34

Title: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: jack.pe on 29 July 2012, 21:34
Hi,

Can they be taken apart and cleaned? one has condensation, the other has gone cloudy...
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 29 July 2012, 21:43
Nope, they are sealed units. Well technically that isn't true, you can stick them in the oven and pull them all apart but it's a fine line between being warm enough to pull apart and melting.

Best option is new unit for condensed one, and fairy liquid in the other one.
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: Thom89 on 29 July 2012, 22:56
This works, submerge the lamps in hot water and strong bleach solution, half a day should do it, this will remove yellowness from the glass, inside and out, and also return the adhesive sealer back to white again. When done, rinse with very hot tap water, and allow to drain, final drying can be done with a hair dryer/hot air gun... your lamps will be sparkly like new again :cool:

Remember to use gloves and goggles if using bleach, and out of anyones way. Safety first :wink:

Thom
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: robw09 on 30 July 2012, 21:54
You could also try a baby's bottle brush for the spots as you can get this in from the back.  Thom, I was wondering how to clean the inside of the main headlights.   Mine are not too bad, but I would like them to be a bit cleaner!  I would not say they are yellow or foggy.....more "speckly" than anything else....I shall give the bleach a go.....
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: devilscaff on 30 July 2012, 22:10
Opened mine with a strong solvent cleaner and slowly praised them apart then used glass cleaner and sealed them up with clear silicon. That was five months ago and still clear, even after the dry summer were having!
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: Thom89 on 30 July 2012, 23:02
You could also try a baby's bottle brush for the spots as you can get this in from the back.  Thom, I was wondering how to clean the inside of the main headlights.   Mine are not too bad, but I would like them to be a bit cleaner!  I would not say they are yellow or foggy.....more "speckly" than anything else....I shall give the bleach a go.....

The inner lamps in my sig pic were treated to bleach, they were grubby, yellowed and cloudy, the outer lamps were brand new at the time the pic was taken, and matched the fresh look of the inner lamps perfectly...
Genuine Hella outer units are still available from the likes of GSF and VW Heritage for very reasonable money

Thom
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: SoundillusioN on 31 July 2012, 00:54
Mines not a mk2 but pretty much the same lamps...  I have recently discovered the issue below and need to find the cause.  :sad:

(http://s14.postimage.org/cdp8w5tsx/fog_light.jpg)
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: weazgti on 31 July 2012, 10:54
I've prised spot lamps apart and cleaned and found out that the reflective foil rubs off too easily
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: Thom89 on 31 July 2012, 13:33
Mines not a mk2 but pretty much the same lamps...  I have recently discovered the issue below and need to find the cause.  :sad:

(http://s14.postimage.org/cdp8w5tsx/fog_light.jpg)

You just need a goldfish Shaun!

Thom
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 31 July 2012, 13:57
Mines not a mk2 but pretty much the same lamps...  I have recently discovered the issue below and need to find the cause.  :sad:

(http://s14.postimage.org/cdp8w5tsx/fog_light.jpg)

Tears...coz its sad.

 :cry:
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: jack.pe on 31 July 2012, 14:54
This works, submerge the lamps in hot water and strong bleach solution, half a day should do it, this will remove yellowness from the glass, inside and out, and also return the adhesive sealer back to white again. When done, rinse with very hot tap water, and allow to drain, final drying can be done with a hair dryer/hot air gun... your lamps will be sparkly like new again :cool:

Remember to use gloves and goggles if using bleach, and out of anyones way. Safety first :wink:

Thom

Thanks Thom but does this not damage the silver reflective backing?
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: SoundillusioN on 31 July 2012, 16:05

You just need a goldfish Shaun!

Thom

I was thinking that. Don't know how this suddenly became a problem.  Despite the crash it's still got it's original lights so will look to see if I can re-seal this one, if that's the issue.

Tears...coz its sad.

 :cry:

Yep, as said in Dub Rides... Can't blame it really though can you.. Doesn't matter, making up for it from now on!
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: Thom89 on 31 July 2012, 18:50
This works, submerge the lamps in hot water and strong bleach solution, half a day should do it, this will remove yellowness from the glass, inside and out, and also return the adhesive sealer back to white again. When done, rinse with very hot tap water, and allow to drain, final drying can be done with a hair dryer/hot air gun... your lamps will be sparkly like new again :cool:

Remember to use gloves and goggles if using bleach, and out of anyones way. Safety first :wink:

Thom

Thanks Thom but does this not damage the silver reflective backing?

No, doesn't touch it, done it many times over the years, and never once had a problem with any headlamps, obviously if a reflector is already pitting, flaking, or corroding, it wont make it any better!

Below are my lights, that had they'd been available some years ago, I would not have hesitated to replace them, they were that bad! the results are Crystal clear (pun intended) outer lamps were brand new items when pic was taken, about 4 or 5 years ago...
Those lamps were around 20 years old at the time, and still look as fresh today

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/thom62/GolfPhotolibrary032.jpg)

Thom
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: Thom89 on 31 July 2012, 18:56

You just need a goldfish Shaun!

Thom

I was thinking that. Don't know how this suddenly became a problem.  Despite the crash it's still got it's original lights so will look to see if I can re-seal this one, if that's the issue.

Tears...coz its sad.

 :cry:

Yep, as said in Dub Rides... Can't blame it really though can you.. Doesn't matter, making up for it from now on!

Thinking about it Shaun, when headlamps go like yours, its a sign that the Lens is just about to fall off!  :lipsrsealed:

Thom
Title: Re: Headlights and spotlights
Post by: SoundillusioN on 31 July 2012, 19:48
^^^ Oh great   :rolleyes:  :grin:

Good job it never gets bl00dy driven... Not to worry, I'll see if I can save it.  :wink: