Access To The Headlight Covers, I have foggy headlights! Options

[SCSU]

Hello everyone,

Say I have a 2001 GS and as with most 8 year old cars, my front headlight covers have that foggy look to them. I plan on just getting a restoration kit at a local auto parts store for $20 or whatever; only problem is, when I pop the hood and dig around in there, I can't find any access to the headlight covers...

Have any of you done the whole restoration thing on your Eclipse before? I just can't find any screws or anything I need to get to the covers.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[kyle l]

i just bought new buckets, they were like 130.
they even have the little halo things in them
spyder auto ones.
they look good

[SCSU]

i just bought new buckets, they were like 130.
they even have the little halo things in them
spyder auto ones.
they look good

Seems like that would be an easy fix..I'm guessing you threw in some xenon-like looking blueish bulbs?

[Az3g]

most people just put in whole new headlight assembly's. Its the easiest way if you've got the money. They are not easy to take apart.

[MPatrickC]

Well if this is a generic over the counter restoration kit for 20 bucks, that came from e.g. autozone. I am assuming it came with a sanding wheel and a polishing compound. If this is true you do not need to remove the headlamp from the car, or take it apart.

I bought one of these last month, and just used the polishing compound on the outside of the lens. (since that is what causes the "fog" affect, not the inside). You can use the sanding pad for intense fogging.

Now if you have moisture behined the lens thats a different story and by all means buy new headlamps. But if you just have foggy lens's and they are the stock ones, it is the outside.

Oh and make sure that when you are polishing the head lamp with the hood up!, to mask off the sides of the headlamp assembly, to prevent you from damaging the bumper and fender.

[SCSU]

Well if this is a generic over the counter restoration kit for 20 bucks, that came from e.g. autozone. I am assuming it came with a sanding wheel and a polishing compound. If this is true you do not need to remove the headlamp from the car, or take it apart.

I bought one of these last month, and just used the polishing compound on the outside of the lens. (since that is what causes the "fog" affect, not the inside). You can use the sanding pad for intense fogging.

Now if you have moisture behined the lens thats a different story and by all means buy new headlamps. But if you just have foggy lens's and they are the stock ones, it is the outside.

Oh and make sure that when you are polishing the head lamp with the hood up!, to mask off the sides of the headlamp assembly, to prevent you from damaging the bumper and fender.

Ah thank you! Yeah I haven't bought one of those kits yet, but I think I might go get one right now. I was under the impression that you had to get to the inside to clean it up, but if it is on the outside that is way better.

I hope there isn't any moisture in there..the front end of the car was in an accident before I got it, so I am kind of assuming at least part of the headlight set up was replaced..and now that I think about it, the left headlight is way foggy than the other one.

[MPatrickC]

Yeah get one of the kits its way cheaper than replacing the headlamps.

About moisture. The lens would have condensation on the inside, you would actually have water inside the headlamp. If that is the case you should get a new headlight. However if its just foggy lamps get the kit.

About the accident: It would seem that your left headlamp is the original, and the right may be a replacement. However with the foggyness it is hard to tell. It could happen to a brand new headlamp or an old one. Its a protective compound that the headlamp manufacture puts on the lens. After a few years this compound wears off, causing the fog. Mine were not that bad, so i didn't have to use the sanding pad. I just used the compound, it did an okay job, but i think using the sanding pad will show better results. Just follow the directions on the kit and you will be fine. But make sure to mask off the parameter of the lamp with Blue masking tape. Your don't want to scratch the paint.

[Az3g]

Ya this happens alot on newer cars. I have had aftermarket headlight housings for three years and they are showing fog and cloudy looks. I haven't used the kit yet, but Ill probably do it soon.

[SCSU]

I decided to not get the kit (since I don't have a drill up here at school), but I got just the wax-like headlight restorer stuff for $5, that and some 2000 grit sand paper, I got the headlights looking brand new. I threw in some silverstar ultras and it seems legit.

[kyle l]

i actually installed a HID kit for my lights. works really nice
glad to hear you got them clean though

[SCSU]

Yeah. Well I put in the new bulbs today, and I could see that they were still kind of foggy, tomorrow I will probably sand it a bit more, then do a few more coats of the solution stuff. There is definitely moisture under one of the covers, I will have to decide if I want to get a whole new headlamp set..