Cheap/Depot Headlight Assembly?

[Ilya]

Anyone know where I can purchase a set of headlight assemblies that are cheap? EBay is usually like $400/per light. That's insane and highway robbery.

[drewsky]

Hmmm, $400 doesn't seem so bad compared to the $1500 that the dealership charges for a single headlight...

[Ilya]

It's still bad when I spent like $100 on two headlights for my Maxima (granted it didnt' have projectors). I'd be okay with $500 for both...but not for each.

Mine are fading and getting cloudy and I've tried some of the repair kits to no avail. It's either I pay a professional to detail the car or get new ones. I'd prefer nice new ones if the price is right as I'm a bit OCD.

[svard75]

Hey man. Back to hang with us slow pokes from your bike? I found a recycler that carries headlamp assemblies. http://www.partshotlines.com/parts/infi ... embly.html

[Partysan7]

For 500$ both you will most likely get headlights in worse condition than yours, are they oxidized on the outside or cloudy on the inside, I think having them professionally done is going to be cheaper ( plus you can have them painted/retrofitted) while they are open.

[Ilya]

Hey man. Back to hang with us slow pokes from your bike? I found a recycler that carries headlamp assemblies. http://www.partshotlines.com/parts/infi ... embly.html

Hahah, for a little bit. It's winter time!

Thanks, I'll check that place out!

For 500$ both you will most likely get headlights in worse condition than yours, are they oxidized on the outside or cloudy on the inside, I think having them professionally done is going to be cheaper ( plus you can have them painted/retrofitted) while they are open.

On the outside. I don't want to spend a fortune, which is what most retrofitters would charge. I just want nice clear headlights, but I honestly don't have any faith in these places that 'restore' them. I know a friend who worked at a similar shop and he said it's a waste of money to go to them.

I just can't believe a non-AFS headlight is so much. It's a piece of plastic with a glass 'window' on the front for the light! My Maxima lights were glass and were CHEAP. WTF.

[Larz]

Great to hear form you mate and I could not agree more. I was gobsmacked when I saw the cost of replacing one headlamp unit. I have a mate with plastic covered headlamps that were so yellow and dingy that they looked more like a household night-light than an auto headlamp. We used the 3M kit and an electric drill. It took 3 applications but they came out brilliant and looked brand new after. Maybe give that a try befor you replace them?

[Ilya]

Great to hear form you mate and I could not agree more. I was gobsmacked when I saw the cost of replacing one headlamp unit. I have a mate with plastic covered headlamps that were so yellow and dingy that they looked more like a household night-light than an auto headlamp. We used the 3M kit and an electric drill. It took 3 applications but they came out brilliant and looked brand new after. Maybe give that a try befor you replace them?

I didn't use 3M but I tried similar products. Only one application though. It made it even cloudier after a week.

How long have your friends lights lasted?

[Larz]

We did them last summer and I saw his car at my match a couple weeks ago and remember thinking that they still look absolutely great - and he has no garage so they have been in weather for over one year. It involved sanding with 2-3 different papers and repeating that process until they had a uniform smooth feel and had lost all discoloration. Then we polished with the drill and kept repeating with more polish until it looked like new.
His lights were staggering horrible though so I reckon yours shouldn't take more than onoce or maybe twice.

[Larz]

.

[Ilya]

Thanks Larz.

Msvara, I checked that site out and it couldn't find any. I did use another site I used many years ago, www.car-parts.com, and it found a few but most of them are poor quality and/or still $300/each.

Might have to bite the bullet and go to a detailer and see if they are worth my time/money.

[drewsky]

Post back you results with pics when you do it. I know I would be interested in the results.

[TXT]

You may already know this but, I think the most important step in polishing a head light and making it look new is to protect it AFTER you are finished. My instructions may not be 100 percent, but after everything is done (Sanding, Wet sanding, Polishing)-One has to rub down the headlight with rubbing alcohol to clean any outstanding polish. Once that's complete, an application of headlight sealer needs to be applied which will keep it from oxidizing and looking like s*** soon after.

I bought Blue Magic Headlight lens sealer on amazon for this. I need to clean up my headlights soon and I bought in preparation so I can apply it as soon as I'm finished using the 3M kit.

Wax might help with sealing (UV Protection). I might add wax on top of the Blue Magic sealer but I'll decide that once I get down to it.

The 3M kit does not come with any type of sealing agent.

[fat3oy]

When my headlights yellowed and cracked... I did an insurance claim and bought some new sport headlights... food for thought.

[Ilya]

When my headlights yellowed and cracked... I did an insurance claim and bought some new sport headlights... food for thought.

I could crack them both lol...but it would be weird to see two cracked headlights and no other damage on the car...that would be an insurance fraud red flag lol.

[finikM35]

would this work if you put couple coats and buff?
or this

[Larz]

I already recommended the 3M kit based on my mate's car, but before I did my eyelids on my headlamps, here is what I did:

** Clean the lenses with a good qaulity window cleaner and then wipe the lens with alcohol to remove any residue.

1) Sand with 1000 grit sanpaper (keeping the sand paper WET so it glides smoothly over the surface)

2) dry the lrens with a microfiber towel and make sure it' feels smooth to your fingers and has a uniform wite haze across the entire surface to make sure you sanded it all evenly. If you feel rough spots or see clear areas- re-sand those spots until the whole lens has a uniform white haze (it will look horrible, but don't worry.

3) Sand with 2000 grit sandpaper (again keeping the surface and the paper wet)

4) wipe off with a clean microfiber towel and make sure the surface still feels smooth all over and has a uniform, hazed finish.

5) Mequiar's Ultimate Polish (or good quality plastic polish) applied best with random orbital and orange pad, or polish by hand with moderate pressure. Don't polish like you do wax with one coating and stop. Really rub hard and continue working the polish into the lense for a few minutes. Wipe off and repeat until the lens is crystal clear. If you aren't satisfied, or see a foggy spot, then repeat the sanding process on that area and polish it until it matches the rest of the lens.

6) I finished it off with a good coat of wax to protect against UV rays and I re-wax them when I do my car every 3-4 months. They still look crystal clear and my car usually stays in the drive and not in the garage because my 68 Fleetwood lives in there with my wind surfer, jet skis, and assorted crap.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to tape along the edges of the car where the lenses meet it to make sure you dont sand past the edges of the lens and sand your clear caot off your car body. You will get white, watery slime that falls onto and drips onto your bumper, etc. It dose NOT harm the paint or the finish on your car body - it will wash off with a spray of the hose after you're finished working on the lenses.

If you buy the 3M kit, this is basically what you will be doing - but the kit comes with a fiber ball that you attach to an ELECTRIC drill (not battery) for the final polishing.

It will take an hour or so to restore both lenses and I promise you WILL like the end result. There are YouTube videos you can watch before you do it - just search for 3M headlamp restore.

[Ilya]

Thanks Larz. I guess I will go ahead and buy the kit and do it this weekend. I will buy the sealer listed above to seal these for good.