I hate my headlights

tknight · Feb 25, 2012

I hate my headlights, when I first bought my truck, freightliner m2 series, I loved my headlights, but lately they have gotten that faded plastic skin disorder, i have polished them till my arms are sore and on fire. I also hate the fact that you can see the small vertical lines that are in the plastic lens on the highway in the light, causing a streaked look.
I'm looking for some sort of driving light/fog lamp to add to the front bumper, any suggestions, fleabay has tons of led fog lights, however I hate to buy stuff, and have to return it, cause it's junk. So I'm reaching out to see what others are using, what opinions of these led driving lights are etc...............

thanks
tk

ChrisGa23 · Feb 25, 2012

You try using like a 2000 grit sandpaper and some type of rubbing compound to take off that haze layer. They sell kits that has all sandpaper and compound you will need

cableguymn · Feb 25, 2012

Next time your at walmart get the 10 dollar turtle wax headlight kit. Its worked wonders for me on yellow headlights.

Sent from my SPH-M920 using Tapatalk

Rocketman · Feb 25, 2012

I replaced the headlights on my Columbia for the same reason. I never could get them completely clear. I think some of it was on the inside. They weren't sealed well at the back. I got both headlight assemblies off Ebay for about $250 best i remember. It was well worth it.

Have you checked FL to see what new assemblies would cost?

ATeam · Feb 25, 2012

Like you, Diane and I loved our headlights when we bought our truck new. We've never before had lighting that good. It was great. Over time the lenses yellowed until we had enough and replaced the headlamp assemblies. It was not cheap but was money well spent.

Bruno · Feb 25, 2012

Phil, you can use this product and save you some money on the high cost of replace headlights next time that happens.

Here is the link. http://www.myheadlight.com/

cableguymn · Feb 26, 2012

Try cleaning um up with the products suggested earlier. If that does not work, looks like you can get them online for about 150 a side.

Turtle · Feb 26, 2012

Headlight restoration only works on the lenses. Over time, the reflective interior of the lamp gets oxidized, blackened and less reflective. The inside of the lens can also cloud up from oxidation. With most modern headlamp assemblies, that reflective interior cannot be (easily or cheaply) replaced or restored.

I've restored my lenses a few times, and they do look considerably better. But eventually you just need to replace them.

greg334 · Feb 26, 2012

There are a few writeups about how to do the Volvo lens right on some of the RV sites. Most of what people miss to complete the 'restoration' is not to put anything on the lens that protect is from the UV. 3M makes a good kit but lacks that coating. I think a good UV clear paint is needed.

jaminjim · Feb 26, 2012

My son works at a auto parts place and he said that people are tickled with Rain-X's restoration kit.

Moot · Feb 26, 2012

I would recommend replacing your headlights. I had my van headlights professionally buffed and while the results were impressive, there is no comparison to new lenses. Six months after the buffing, I hit a deer and had to replace the passenger side headlight assembly. Dramatic difference between the new headlight and the buffed out headlight.

I've got a pair of small round driving lights mounted low in a spoiler under my front bumper and also a set of rectangular fog lights, all are protected with X-Pel http://www.xpel.com/products/headlight.asp I ordered a sheet and cut my own to fit. You can also order pre-cut to fit your particular make car. Not sure about big trucks.

mjmsprt40 · Feb 26, 2012

This makes the old-style sealed beams seem not too bad. They're large and that makes it hard to store spares, but on the flip side it seems glass lenses don't get the crazing that plastic lenses do, and it's not nearly as expensive when you have to replace one.

scottm4211 · Feb 26, 2012

mjmsprt40 said:
This makes the old-style sealed beams seem not too bad. They're large and that makes it hard to store spares, but on the flip side it seems glass lenses don't get the crazing that plastic lenses do, and it's not nearly as expensive when you have to replace one.

Yup. And they're less than 8 bucks.

ttruck · Feb 27, 2012

BOUGHT 2 BRAND NEW FOR 270.00 SENT TO THE HOUSE WITH BULBS IN THEM INCLUDING THE TURNS THERE ON LINE ILL LOOK FOR THE BILL AND GET THE COMP. NAME THESE WERE FOR AN M2 106 SO BRIGHT IF I HAD TO DO THIS EVERY 2 YRS ITS WORTH IT 15 MINS. TO CHANGE OUT .