OO er, what have I done now?
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OO er, what have I done now?
Hi gang,
I have been trying to get rid of the faint amber tinted film over part of both headlamps for some time now. I tried sticky stuff remover, elbow grease and T cut to no avail.
Tonight I tried cellulose thinners and the effect was immediate. the tint dissapeared and the front of the lens was covered in a gooey white film made up, as I thought of the glue and plastic film coming away. The trouble is that it seems to be endless, is the glue thicker than I thought, or am I dissolving the front lens in thinners.
So, the question is, Has anyone done this before or does anyone know whether the plastic lens on the light dissolves in cellulose thinners?
Awaiting your reply, with trepidation
Tim
I have been trying to get rid of the faint amber tinted film over part of both headlamps for some time now. I tried sticky stuff remover, elbow grease and T cut to no avail.
Tonight I tried cellulose thinners and the effect was immediate. the tint dissapeared and the front of the lens was covered in a gooey white film made up, as I thought of the glue and plastic film coming away. The trouble is that it seems to be endless, is the glue thicker than I thought, or am I dissolving the front lens in thinners.
So, the question is, Has anyone done this before or does anyone know whether the plastic lens on the light dissolves in cellulose thinners?
Awaiting your reply, with trepidation
Tim
Sorry Tim, but there is no amber tint film on the headlamp plastic lens.
It is simply discolouration of the plastic due to the effects of heat from the bulbs and light from the sun.
Sadly, your use of thinners has irrevocably dissolved the plastic.
You are facing the purchase of two new headlamp assemblies.
Sorry to be the harbinger of such bad news.
It is simply discolouration of the plastic due to the effects of heat from the bulbs and light from the sun.
Sadly, your use of thinners has irrevocably dissolved the plastic.
You are facing the purchase of two new headlamp assemblies.
Sorry to be the harbinger of such bad news.
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- Supreme Being
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So is the entire headlight lens plastic then? It sounds like glass if you tap it! I assumed that it was a plastic inner lens, with a conventional glass outer If it has knackered the headlight,thats bloody hard luck mate Its probably down to a previous owner pennypinching with the cheapest replacement bulbs they could find.
U.V. headlight bulbs will have to be used for the replacements...Dont forget not to touch the glass! just handle the metal surround when you fit them.
U.V. headlight bulbs will have to be used for the replacements...Dont forget not to touch the glass! just handle the metal surround when you fit them.
ビッグダディケイン RIP Big Bank Hank (Imp the Dimp) 1957-2014
My friend done the same thing, he then got a friend who sprays cars to use very fine wet and dry sandpaper and then used a buffer and they came up like new.
Here is what they looked like and I will see if I can get a picture of them now.
[img][img]http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3150/lightsid9.jpg[/img][/img]
Here is what they looked like and I will see if I can get a picture of them now.
[img][img]http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3150/lightsid9.jpg[/img][/img]
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- Bongolier
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Tim, Taxiback is right. There are materials which can restore the plastic with skilled polishing/buffing. The challenge will be to find someone to do this at a reasonable price. Depends I guess on how easy it is to source replacements from a breaker.
The plastic headlight covers on my new shape had a frosted appearance and I used Plastic-X to restore them but a LOT of elbow-grease was required!
Cheers.
By the way everyone, I have been off the scene for past six months working in sunny Hong Kong. I am back now and within days have been struck down with Gout again. There must be a link!
The plastic headlight covers on my new shape had a frosted appearance and I used Plastic-X to restore them but a LOT of elbow-grease was required!
Cheers.
By the way everyone, I have been off the scene for past six months working in sunny Hong Kong. I am back now and within days have been struck down with Gout again. There must be a link!
Bongo National Party - The law-abiding should have rights too!
- maxheadroom
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There are a few products that work but they all involve annoyingly hard graft. The convertible window stuff is excellent and I think the stuff I use is called renovo. I got mine from MX5parts.co.uk
I have polished plastic on my buffing wheel and you do get a good result but you have to be so careful. The tendancy is to melt and burn rather than cut. You need adelicate touch and you have to keep moving to stop heat building up.
I think the headlamps are are suffering from UV degredation - the discolouration is likely to be all the way through.
I have polished plastic on my buffing wheel and you do get a good result but you have to be so careful. The tendancy is to melt and burn rather than cut. You need adelicate touch and you have to keep moving to stop heat building up.
I think the headlamps are are suffering from UV degredation - the discolouration is likely to be all the way through.
- Simon Jones
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My lenses are plastic for sure. They give when pressed and sound placky when tapped.
I have ordered a pair from Bongobits, one of the two advertised on Ebay breaking a Bongo.
Just to add salt to a wound and because fate thinks I am made of money.... I found a trace of brake fluid on the outside of a rear brake disc today, I guess it is the cylinder but will have to check. Does anyone know where a new one can be found? Bongobits said no and AVA do not advertise them on their site. Any ideas?
I will post this last paragraph in another thread if no replies .
All the best,
Tim
I have ordered a pair from Bongobits, one of the two advertised on Ebay breaking a Bongo.
Just to add salt to a wound and because fate thinks I am made of money.... I found a trace of brake fluid on the outside of a rear brake disc today, I guess it is the cylinder but will have to check. Does anyone know where a new one can be found? Bongobits said no and AVA do not advertise them on their site. Any ideas?
I will post this last paragraph in another thread if no replies .
All the best,
Tim
- dandywarhol
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- Simon Jones
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