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Headlight lens cleaning

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Old 10-25-2010 | 11:02 AM
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LA Headlight lens cleaning

The lens on my 06 RX-8 seem to be discoloring from the inside, not the outside like most older cars. It's probably the high heat from the xenon bulbs. These headlights, according to my dealer, are $1,000.00 EACH? Any idea if they can be taken apart and cleaned on the inside?
Old 10-25-2010 | 12:25 PM
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the headlights can be baked open but if the discoloration is from heat i'm not sure how you would clean that off.

here's a video how to get them open: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok1a9jyfRYw
Old 10-25-2010 | 03:53 PM
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Thanks, but considering the price of a replacement lens, think I'll pass on disassembly and baking! I had no idea those lights were so complex. Now I can almost understand the price.
Old 10-25-2010 | 04:06 PM
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if you dont want to bake them, you can buy the Plastic X headlight restore kit from Meguires. Its about 30 bucks. and I think it works wonders. It will clean up the out side of the headlight really well. All you need is a drill
Old 10-26-2010 | 01:46 AM
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Those blacked out lights in the vid are SICK!
Old 10-26-2010 | 09:10 AM
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I've tried Mequir's on other headlight lens, and it works great. This discoloration seems to be on the inside. I still think it's caused by the high heat from the xenon bulbs. Anyone else have that problem?
Old 10-26-2010 | 10:23 AM
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The xenon bulbs produces very little heat and that is not the cause. It is cheap plastics, oxidation, and UV rays.
Old 10-27-2010 | 12:23 PM
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I'm sure you're right. Just have to put up with it if it's on the inside of the lens, but will bring it up to the dealer the next time it goes in.
Old 10-27-2010 | 01:52 PM
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take a picture
a lot of the time, it just "looks" like it's from the inside
Old 10-27-2010 | 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by SayNoToPistons
The xenon bulbs produces very little heat and that is not the cause. It is cheap plastics, oxidation, and UV rays.
Plus one more since we live in LA

Salt air/smog.

Really pisses me off. Happens right away on a new RX8.

Nothing you can do since it is inside the light.
Old 11-26-2010 | 02:15 PM
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I had the same problem and would have bet (alot) of money that the discoloration was on the inside. Try the 3 or Maguires kit with the fine sandpaper and drill. I think you will find it will remove at least 70% of the discoloration. Good luck!

Bill
Old 11-28-2010 | 11:04 AM
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Great news, and very surprising. My car is an 06 with only 33,000 miles. Mentioned the discoloration to the dealer during a recent oil change, and they will have a professional try to restore the lens. If that doesn't work, they'll replace the lens under warranty! Sounds like a plan to me!
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