Fogged Headlight!

[BlueWolfCry]

After using the wonderful Mr. Clean Autodry and getting excellent results, my driver headlight had some condensation. Now, it's been about 3 months since I've opened them, so I figured since moisture went in, it's escape and evaporate...Nope...When the headlight's on, there are some on the side, but the moisture's still in there, it appears once it cools. So, how do I get rid of this? I'm willing to open them back up since I want to repaint them. Thanks

 

[protegeV]

if u want to repaint them, then open em up and do it...that'll get rid of the condensation too...make sure you seal em up good though.

 

[sgryzko]

What is the key to sealing them up good? I want to paint mine but the main thing holding me back is not sealing it up right.

 

[protegeV]

well really they should seal themselves up fine...

I had one of my headlights fog up and the other didnt when i painted mine...I think I figured out why.

on the one that didnt fog, when i opened it up i just pryed apart the two peices and let the glue that was holding it together stretch and stretch(like chewing gum) until it finally broke and I could completely separate the pieces.

on the one that did fog, i tried speeding up the separation process by spreading the leanse and the headlamp a little and cutting the sealant with a razor blade(its kind of thick and easy to cut through)...It did make everything come apart easier, but I believe that is what caused the seal to be inadequate and thus fog up...I ended up taking that lgiht apart again and resealing it with some more sealant glue...Its fine now.,

 

[BlueWolfCry]

alright thanks

 

[protegeV]

damn, I typed all that s*** and all you can say is "alright thanks"

(lol2)j/p wit ya man...I hope it works out well

 

[sgryzko]

Hey that helps me dont worry protegeV. Now I am less hesitant to paint my headlights. Thanks.

 

[BlueWolfCry]

lol, you basically answered all my questions. I'm gonna open them up this weekend.

Oh wait, when you pulled the lamps apart, was the glue all over? I wiped the inside of the lamp also and now i can see streaks CLEARLY lol. Thanks man

damn, I typed all that s*** and all you can say is "alright thanks"

(lol2)j/p wit ya man...I hope it works out well

 

[protegeV]

no the glue didnt go all voer the place...
here's the key, dont heat them up TOO much...stick em int here for 5 mins and try to pry em apart, if they wont budge give it 2 more mins...Keep doing this till you can JUST pull them apart. Dont heat them up so much that the glue turns to liquid...it should still be very thick and stretchy...

also, DO NOT touch the inside of the lenses as just about everything you can try to wipe them down will streak...same for the reflectors. Since you already did, the only thing I can suggest to get rid of the streaks would be a brand new, CLEAN terry cloth with some rubing alcohol.

 

[BlueWolfCry]

alright i'll do that. thanks. What kind of spray paint did you use? When I put the black housing in the lenses, some paint was "scraped" off by the lenses. Hm...now that I think of it, you can't see it when on the car, but it just makes it feel tacky. Did you experience this? thanks again

no the glue didnt go all voer the place...
here's the key, dont heat them up TOO much...stick em int here for 5 mins and try to pry em apart, if they wont budge give it 2 more mins...Keep doing this till you can JUST pull them apart. Dont heat them up so much that the glue turns to liquid...it should still be very thick and stretchy...

also, DO NOT touch the inside of the lenses as just about everything you can try to wipe them down will streak...same for the reflectors. Since you already did, the only thing I can suggest to get rid of the streaks would be a brand new, CLEAN terry cloth with some rubing alcohol.

 

[protegeV]

yeah, a tiny tiny piece got scraped off on the drivers side on the very edge of where the corner marker would be on a sedan headlight...basically it was my impatience.

If you let the painted pieces dry for several hours they shouldnt scrape or chip...I only waited like 20 mins after they were dry to the touch.

I just used the best gunmetal color I could find at the store...I tihnkit was krylon or perhaps duplicolor...they're all the same IMO.

 

[BlueWolfCry]

k thanks for all your help man. I'll make a stop at autozone tomorrow.

yeah, a tiny tiny piece got scraped off on the drivers side on the very edge of where the corner marker would be on a sedan headlight...basically it was my impatience.

If you let the painted pieces dry for several hours they shouldnt scrape or chip...I only waited like 20 mins after they were dry to the touch.

I just used the best gunmetal color I could find at the store...I tihnkit was krylon or perhaps duplicolor...they're all the same IMO.

 

[protegeV]

np, im more than just your average post *****... (lol2)