2003 Protege5 Headlight Options

[digitaljedi]

Hello All,

pretty new here, but i'll have a crack at it. Just picked up a black protege5...

Rather than wasting time trying to re-furb my headlight covers, I thought I would possibly enlighten the idea of getting some nice aftermarket headlights.

What are my options? Any websites, any suggestions? Not looking to tint them, just want to be able to see out of them (as my light covers are pretty damn dull and scratched)

And second to that, perhaps new fog lights too. All help is as always appreciated.

Regards

 

[sam1]

not really any aftermarket headlights out there. There's one option, but I believe it is only for the sedan, and they are identical to stock except blacked out. Most people just disassemble the headlights, paint the inside, and polish the lense to get it clear again. Theres a write up in the how to section for painting the headlights, and the detailing section has several good posts on clearing up the covers.

 

[ProtoType5]

Might find some on ebay....or in the for-sale section..

Other options are JDM HID headlights from Corksport - about $1,000.00

PIAA Foglights - about $140 bucks I think...may have to make or buy brackets to make them work..


SEARCH AROUND....ALL THE ANSWERS ARE ALREADY HERE....

and go to proper forums for questions....

Tire question = 3rd generation suspension....once you are in the sub-forum...then search the sub-forum ....

 

[shane02pro5]

Maguires PlastX is some baddass stuff but it just takes some elbow grease!

 

[NCZ13]

they can be polished out.

if you want a quick over the counter remedy, pic up some meguiars plastX. this will remove the majority of the haze, but wont make them 100% haze free

this is a 50/50 done using these products:

i did a comparison with plastX by hand

you can still see the left side of the lens is still hazy

done... although im pretty sure i followed up with a finer cut polish and a light cutting pad after i took this picture.

 

[digitaljedi]

You guys rock, thanks for all your input. I guess I'll grease up my elbows and get to work.

plastX looks like the stuff. Now do I need to take the entire headlight manifold out, or can I unclip the cover and polish away? is there a DIY and I should just search?

 

[NCZ13]

no you dont have to take the headlight (its not a manifold...?) out

dont really worry about getting it on the paint. the abrasives have to be worked in with friction to do anything, so its not that big of a deal if some of the liquid gets on the paint.

but remember. its not going to get all the haze out... but it will certainly look better

 

[digitaljedi]

Well, not a manifold, but some the entire headlight has some sort of contraption. I guess I unsnap it's little clips and pull the cover off, get a small buffer, and plastX. Can this be found anywhere? canadian tire? or should I order a bottle online?

 

[NCZ13]

you should be able to get it at canadian tire...

however there are better ways to do it.

you can also wetsand the headlight

starting with a heavier cut.. maybe 800grit. and moving your way to 2500.

then polish it with a rubbing compound... and then plastX.
this will also remove the scratches you see (assuming they arent super deep scratches)

 

[orlandomsp]

You can't just unsnap the little clips to separate the lens from the housing. To get just the lens, the bumper needs to come off, then the headlight needs to be removed and baked in the oven.

I restored the lights on my brother's P5 by wet sanding with 2000 grit, then hand polished them with polishing compound and a microfiber cloth.

 

[digitaljedi]

Ok after some examination looks like the dullness is just isolated to the outside plastic. I just picked up some plastX and a decent polisher, i'll take before and after pictures to see how well it compares.

 

[MAZDA-626]

does this dirt happen from the outside or the inside of the light?

 

[SNike05]

plastX is meant for hand not machine.

 

[digitaljedi]

Most of the scratches/dullness is on the outside. i think there is some heat discoloration on the inside but the plastx has definatley made some progress with the little amount of effort i've put in so far.

 

[RiCH-oNE]

Pics of before/after please.. Looking to do my headlights too : /