Weird yellowish tint on headlamps
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Weird yellowish tint on headlamps
Hey guys, I noticed that for the past several months, my headlight beams (HID) have had a slight yellow tinge to them. There seems to be a line of yellow at the top of the beam.
I keep the headlight lenses very clean, and regularly use Meguiar's PlastX to keep them pristine. And they look great from the front!
But I noticed that if you look at my lights from the rear, there is a very distinct yellowish color to them. The yellow color is a bit exaggerated in the pic below, just the like sidemarker is - but suffice to say it's ugly.
Doesn't even look like the same headlamps! Anyone else have this issue? I'm thinking there may be a build-up of dirt, old cleaner and whatever else between the rubber gasket and the plastic lens, around the top and outer edge of the headlamp - and this may be causing the yellow tint in the beam, and the yellow color cascading effect on the lens. Any other possibilities? I'd like to try and clean under those rubber pieces, but not really sure of the best way to get under them, apart from taking the entire headlamp off. Even then, is the rubber piece permanently attached?
And speaking of those rubber gaskets... mine seem to be deteriorating a little from age. Can they be replaced?
Thanks for any suggestions!
I keep the headlight lenses very clean, and regularly use Meguiar's PlastX to keep them pristine. And they look great from the front!
But I noticed that if you look at my lights from the rear, there is a very distinct yellowish color to them. The yellow color is a bit exaggerated in the pic below, just the like sidemarker is - but suffice to say it's ugly.
Doesn't even look like the same headlamps! Anyone else have this issue? I'm thinking there may be a build-up of dirt, old cleaner and whatever else between the rubber gasket and the plastic lens, around the top and outer edge of the headlamp - and this may be causing the yellow tint in the beam, and the yellow color cascading effect on the lens. Any other possibilities? I'd like to try and clean under those rubber pieces, but not really sure of the best way to get under them, apart from taking the entire headlamp off. Even then, is the rubber piece permanently attached?
And speaking of those rubber gaskets... mine seem to be deteriorating a little from age. Can they be replaced?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Last edited by Olorin2; 06-29-2012 at 08:18 AM.
#3
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have you tried polishing them with a rotary buffer/compound? if they are really bad you may need to sand them first.
mine had slight yellowing when i first bought the car so i just gave them a quick buff with a finishing compound (menzerna super finish) and then put a layer of clear coat to prevent it from happening again.
hope this helps
mine had slight yellowing when i first bought the car so i just gave them a quick buff with a finishing compound (menzerna super finish) and then put a layer of clear coat to prevent it from happening again.
hope this helps
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have you tried polishing them with a rotary buffer/compound? if they are really bad you may need to sand them first.
mine had slight yellowing when i first bought the car so i just gave them a quick buff with a finishing compound (menzerna super finish) and then put a layer of clear coat to prevent it from happening again.
hope this helps
mine had slight yellowing when i first bought the car so i just gave them a quick buff with a finishing compound (menzerna super finish) and then put a layer of clear coat to prevent it from happening again.
hope this helps
Now, how to clean that part...
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Running the same for over three years or more without those issue. I too clean them with Plastix probably once a month.
Seems like you are right in that since it's only inside and beneath or behind the gasket, moisture must have gotten in there on occasion?
See any hairline cracks where it's the most yellow? Maybe bad seals?
Seems like you are right in that since it's only inside and beneath or behind the gasket, moisture must have gotten in there on occasion?
See any hairline cracks where it's the most yellow? Maybe bad seals?
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Running the same for over three years or more without those issue. I too clean them with Plastix probably once a month.
Seems like you are right in that since it's only inside and beneath or behind the gasket, moisture must have gotten in there on occasion?
See any hairline cracks where it's the most yellow? Maybe bad seals?
Seems like you are right in that since it's only inside and beneath or behind the gasket, moisture must have gotten in there on occasion?
See any hairline cracks where it's the most yellow? Maybe bad seals?
Thanks again...
Last edited by Olorin2; 06-29-2012 at 08:13 AM.
#11
Acrylic lens oxidation
What ever you do avoid the old sandpaper method. It will make the problem worse.
Get a non abrasive acrylic lens deoxidizer. It is designed spacificlly for oxidation removal on headlights
It it pure liquid and UV layer safe. The Acrylic conditioner will combat the return of oxidatrion.
A Deoxidizer will clear up the surface of the lens without causing further damage.
moisture on the inside is another problem
No suggestions on that one.
Get a non abrasive acrylic lens deoxidizer. It is designed spacificlly for oxidation removal on headlights
It it pure liquid and UV layer safe. The Acrylic conditioner will combat the return of oxidatrion.
A Deoxidizer will clear up the surface of the lens without causing further damage.
moisture on the inside is another problem
No suggestions on that one.
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What ever you do avoid the old sandpaper method. It will make the problem worse.
Get a non abrasive acrylic lens deoxidizer. It is designed spacificlly for oxidation removal on headlights
It it pure liquid and UV layer safe. The Acrylic conditioner will combat the return of oxidatrion.
A Deoxidizer will clear up the surface of the lens without causing further damage.
moisture on the inside is another problem
No suggestions on that one.
Get a non abrasive acrylic lens deoxidizer. It is designed spacificlly for oxidation removal on headlights
It it pure liquid and UV layer safe. The Acrylic conditioner will combat the return of oxidatrion.
A Deoxidizer will clear up the surface of the lens without causing further damage.
moisture on the inside is another problem
No suggestions on that one.
If I take the headlamps off the car, will I be able to flex the rubber gasket enough to clean behind it? While they're on the car, I can barley move it enough to get anything in there.
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