Team-BHP - One headlamp replaced. Now, both headlights look different!

Hello team,

Recently my car was involved in an accident and I had to get the left Headlight changed. Now, I have a strange problem that the right headlight looks very old in front of the new left headlight. In the night, the light from the new headlight is also much more brighter and crisp compared to the old one.

I have been using HID for about 2 years and I think because of that dust got in although i had made sure that the headlight was sealed properly.

Is there anyway I can get the old headlight cleaned so that the difference is not as much as it is right now. Not really willing to spend 2.5k to get another headlight since it works fine.

Also, if none of the above works out, is there any place in Delhi where i can sell my old headlight so that I can lessen the damage if I buy a new headlight.

Attaching picture of my car so that you all can get an idea what i am taling about.

Thanks in advance for your help!:)

One headlamp replaced. Now, both headlights look different!-06072011466.jpg

Edit: Mods I tried searching for a similar thread but could not find one, please move this post to any similar thread if it exists.

On my last visit to FNG noticed that mechanic was washing the headlights of a ikon which came for a bulb upgrade. Headlights were washed with water and car shampoo & dried by placing them in sun & then blow drying with air. Headlights which were looking quite old started looking quite new.

I don't have any idea if washing the units will adversely effect the headlight assembly, but FNG confirmed that they have been cleaning the headlights in this manner for quite long and no one has reported any problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pankaj_sachdeva (Post 2419238)

Is this a good idea? Wouldn't it affect the reflectors over time?

Remember how headlights/tail lamps lose their sharpness if water accumulates in the assembly.

Prolonged exposure to water thru' washing should eventually do the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by srishiva (Post 2419270)

There are threads where the headlights were scraped (with the right grit sandpaper) and cleaned to look like new. Try searching them.

Do you mean the outer surface or the inner reflector one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by revved_up (Post 2419177)

Attaching picture of my car so that you all can get an idea what i am taling about.

You might want to do something about the fog lamp too (the right one)!

Quote:

Originally Posted by libranof1987 (Post 2419296)

I don't have any first hand experience of cleaning on my car though as per FNG this should be one time job for cleaning and headlights will neither have any prolonged exposure to water nor the mechanic was letting the water accumulate in the assembly.

In-fact after drying the headlight assembly properly, mechanic installed the bulbs and turned them on for few minutes so that he can see if some evaporation is present in the unit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by revved_up (Post 2419177)

Is there anyway I can get the old headlight cleaned so that the difference is not as much as it is right now.

The best you can do to clean the HL assy is to remove it, remove the bulbs, and the soak the same in soap water, rinse, and replace. Well, even by this method, you can get only a level of perfection, and will NOT match the new ones. Further, if the plastic is faded, which is normally the case in Swifts, even the above method will not help much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by revved_up (Post 2419177)

Also, if none of the above works out, is there any place in Delhi where i can sell my old headlight so that I can lessen the damage if I buy a new headlight.

Now, this is definitely a cost effective way. I'm sure, delhi bhp'n can shed soem light on where you can go to sell off old HL assy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pankaj_sachdeva (Post 2419238)

was washing the headlights of a ikon which came for a bulb upgrade.

Apart from just soaking it up and rinsing, you really cant access all parts of the insides of the HL assy of an IKON.

Quote:

Originally Posted by libranof1987 (Post 2419296)

Remember how headlights/tail lamps lose their sharpness if water accumulates in the assembly.

Yes, but in the case of an already faded HL Assy, there will be a slight improvement. Brand new ones will fade.

It visibly looks discoloured. Most probably due to dust accumulation on the inside.

Instead of sandpaper, one can also try ScratchOut liquid. You can wipe the liquid on the surface area and then use a cloth to rub it across in a buffing motion. Once done, you can then take a lint free cloth and wipe the surface again. This should remove hard grime and stains and make the glass more clear. Worked well on my Accent

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedreamcatcher (Post 2419516)

Thanks for the reply. Pardon my ignorance, but would I be able to do this by putting my hand through the place where the bulb goes in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by revved_up (Post 2419731)

Thanks for the reply. Pardon my ignorance, but would I be able to do this by putting my hand through the place where the bulb goes in?

Absolutely not. And it would be like building a ship in a bottle :D.

The procedure I have mentioned above is for the external surface of the headlights

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedreamcatcher (Post 2419818)

Absolutely not. And it would be like building a ship in a bottle :D.

The procedure I have mentioned above is for the external surface of the headlights

Well, IMHO, I dont think the lights are dirty from the outside. So, might have to resort to interior cleaning techiniques like.. blowing pressurized air etc. I really hope I could sell this light in some second hand market or some garage.. and put some more money in and buy a new one. Dont really want to invest 2.5k on a new headlight. :(