Dirt in my headlight
Submitted: Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 19:41
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Member - Snoopy2 (NSW)
Hi All,
Back in early December, the serviceman fitted a new headlight globe to my 100 series Cruiser. Unfortunately, he did not
seat it properly as one of the lugs on the globe did not
seat properly. This resulted in the globe not sealing the back of the headlight reflector.
As you all know, December was very wet and I had done a lot of driving on wet and muddy roads. The result, that headlight is not as
bright as it should be due to dirt on the reflector.
Any ideas on the best way to clean it out? It just seems to be coated in dirt, not rust.
Thanks in advance,
Michael
Reply By: happytravelers - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 20:04
Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 20:04
A method that I've used for drying condensation out of headlamps may also work for dirt. If you have access to a workshop compressor, tear up some very small pieces of rag, place a piece inside the headlight and with an air nozzle blow the rag around inside the light, when it has collected enough dirt pull it out and repeat with a fresh piece of rag. This should at least get some of the dirt out.
Regards Jon
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Follow Up By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 20:14
Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 20:14
An air operated washing mahine. Brilliant idea Jon. Cheers,Bob
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718224
Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 23:41
Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 23:41
Wouldn't this be likely to thoroughly scratch the reflector?
I would think that simply flushing with water would be safest.
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Follow Up By: Member - Snoopy2 (NSW) - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 09:55
Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 09:55
Hi Jon,
Great idea, if I use some soft poliching cloth it whould work ok. Probably make sure I don't over do it..... as usual.
Thanks,
Michael
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Christopher P (NSW) - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 23:25
Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 23:25
get a small water blaster with low wattage and give it a blast as someone holes it up side down with the lamp hole point to the ground, the water pressure will clean away the dirt with out damaging the reflector.
when finished if you want it to dry quickly pour some metho or isopropynal alchol in light and swish tip and leave in sunny position.
that way water doesn't get time to corrode, or damage the reflector.
FollowupID:
718321
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 21:32
Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 21:32
Or put some water in and slosh it around tip it out and put it front down over a warm heat hairdryer till it dries out.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Fab72 - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 08:23
Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 08:23
I'd go with Graham's suggestion...based on the delicacy of the reflector.
Fab.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 08:36
Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 08:36
I did the water trick with
mine but sat the light on a column heater for a few hours to dry it out.
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Follow Up By: Member - Snoopy2 (NSW) - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 09:58
Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 09:58
Hi Graham H, Fab72 and Bonz,
Yes, I though of this but I was hoping for a quick fix without taking them out of the car. I thought surely this must have happened to someone else on this learnerd
forum and a simple solution had been found.
If plan A dosn't work, this will be
plan B.
Thanks all,
Michael
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 10:58
Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 10:58
Mate I tried all the quick fixes and its best to whiop em off and do it right, the quick fixes never worked IMHO
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 11:29
Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 11:29
Too true If you put water in them and dont turn them face down the condensation will gather in the top of the light and you will be no better off.
Do it once Do it right.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Fab72 - Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 12:35
Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 12:35
...and don't foret to re aim it. Even a simple R&R can throw the alignment out.
Fab.
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