Headlights are milky inside. How can I cure??

[theweekendhaslanded]

My 1983 320i has a nasty milky/cloudy residue inside the light lens. I was going to attempt the heating up of the glass+melt the glue that holds it all together so I could remove it and give the inside a good clean and polish. Having looked at it I decided not to do this and instead I removed the bulbs and did 'key hole cleaning' using a wire with a very small piece of cloth on the end of it. This worked a treat BUT now after a few weeks the milky stuff has returned!! WTF is it??

This is after I did the 'key hole cleaning' nice and mint



This is how it was at first, all milky/cloudy


Any ideas??

[grantfk10]

Any ideas??

Not sure, but watching this topic cos mine are the same - not got around to cleaning them up yet.

[oakey]

perhaps as they are old now, they are not sealed as tight as they used to be, therefore more moisture and dirt can get inside them?

The headlights look fantastic in the first pic

[josh-hocking]

try sealing them? anything that dries rubber like should do

[hennabm]

The only way I've found of curing them is to replace them as moisture has got in and will continue to get in. The E30/28 lamps were reknowned for doing it.

Full set from the dealer about £200.

[theweekendhaslanded]

The thing is, its not moisture. Its like power that has stuck to the inside. It has come back in the same swirly shape it was to start with.

I have had an idea

I will report back soon

[grantfk10]

I have had an idea

I will report back soon

Oooh, tell us more!

[james_obryan]

silica gel sachets?

[grantfk10]

The thing is, its not moisture.

Silica gel sachets won't help then.....

[SK360]

What you need to use is Heat Resistant Silicon Glue/Sealant.

S.K.

[theweekendhaslanded]

I have had an idea

I will report back soon

Oooh, tell us more!

Hold your horses!!

[josh-hocking]

Full set from the dealer about £200.

full set on ebay 10quid

[theweekendhaslanded]

Its been a while but...........this is the tool I made to clean the inside of the lights.



This interesting device is an outer cable from a mountain bike with a small piece of cloth taped on one side, and a small piece of vileda super mop on the other. Worked a treat but took forever as you have very little control over it once its inside the lens.

[d6dph]

Nice work, but an outer cable is not that rigid - As you have just found out!

What about pipe cleaners? You could bend the into shape before feeding into the lamp?

[csl]

I used some copper brake pipeing on mine with similar attachments!

[DanThe]

I would strip the units down completely, heat and remove the lens' wash and dry them removing all the old glue and then reseal with some proper sealant, I use Sikaflex.

Check the O rings in the bulb covers and the seal between the bulb holder and relector

Free any sticky adjusters off and lube them up with plenty of oil before rebuilding the lot

[theweekendhaslanded]

I would strip the units down completely, heat and remove the lens' wash and dry them removing all the old glue and then reseal with some proper sealant, I use Sikaflex.

Check the O rings in the bulb covers and the seal between the bulb holder and relector

Free any sticky adjusters off and lube them up with plenty of oil before rebuilding the lot

Thanks for that.

Its not a bad job that I have done but the ultimate thing to do is strip the whole thing down like you suggest.

I'm very warey of heating up the lenses as they are 24 years old, but I might get some from a scrappers to strip down.

[o22ie]

ive similar thing, and was thinking on tinting (very lightly) mine so as to disguise the fact

[DanThe]

I'm very warey of heating up the lenses as they are 24 years old, but I might get some from a scrappers to strip down.

I removed the lens' from my old A plater with just a screwdriver! The glue was that old and deteriorated they just prised off

If you warm them up gradually you wont have any problems, they only crack if you concentrate the heat or have nasty stone chips.

[Martinaston]

What happens if you put them in the oven ?

[theweekendhaslanded]

I'm very warey of heating up the lenses as they are 24 years old, but I might get some from a scrappers to strip down.

I removed the lens' from my old A plater with just a screwdriver! The glue was that old and deteriorated they just prised off

If you warm them up gradually you wont have any problems, they only crack if you concentrate the heat or have nasty stone chips.

I will have a do with it when I'm feeling daring It's the only cure.

Cheers for that matey.

[DanThe]

What happens if you put them in the oven ?

Slap from the mrs?

[Chris]

Hmm, powder you say? Are they standard, clear, bulbs inside?

[theweekendhaslanded]

Hmm, powder you say? Are they standard, clear, bulbs inside?

Ohhh yes.

Its tuff stuff to get off too.

[Simon]

Have you tried removing the ligh units complete, remove rear covers and bulbs, and sticking them in the kitchen sink with plenty of washing up liquid, give them a thorough clean, dry them out thoroughly, then re-fit.

[theweekendhaslanded]

Have you tried removing the ligh units complete, remove rear covers and bulbs, and sticking them in the kitchen sink with plenty of washing up liquid, give them a thorough clean, dry them out thoroughly, then re-fit.

Yep, done that. Used vinegar, bleach, fairy, everything. The only thing to work is when I use my tool (see pic above) and that rubs it off, but its hard work.

Strip down is getting closer

[AdamAnt]

omg ...jsut shoved my lights in the kitchen sink with HOT HOT water, and lens cracked. bloody hell, oh well good excuse to go get a pair of smileys