Remove amber film on headlights

[tommy583]

Originally Posted by particlewave

They look cheap, halogen bulbs, plastic projector (fire is hot), LEDs are low quality (burn out), they look cheap and I wouldn't put them on my Dodge Neon, they don't actually fit in/on the car, the alignment pegs break off due to low quality brittle plastic, they look cheap and very "Walmart", foam rubber surround gasket holds water and rots sealant between outer lens and headlight body allowing water and dirt infiltration, "chrome" flakes off, paint flakes off, full of "cooling holes" which also let dust, dirt and water in.
I'm sure that I'm missing something. Did I mention that they look cheap?

I'm shocked and amazed that anyone would ever even consider putting this junk on their car.

At least they don't look cheap .

[particlewave]

I guess I came across a little strong, there

[tommy583]

No I don't think so. They look like something from walmart for sure. It's hard to believe they charge that much for them. I guy around me bought a pair. He loves them, but I don't. I may be a little biased

[steved0x]

There was a guy at RRR with a yellow boxster that had them, they actually looked pretty good on his and matched his theme, which had a lot of mods, badges, spoilers, etc. It looked good on his.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by particlewave

I guess I came across a little strong, there

Not really. They ARE expensive for what they are. Fred's kit with your install makes a much nicer product for less

[mikesz]

I am trying to de-amber with a belt sander. I tried Particlewave's technique with a dremel but didn't work for me.

[Krazy_Kameleon]

Originally Posted by mikesz

I am trying to de-amber with a belt sander. I tried Particlewave's technique with a dremel but didn't work for me.

I have just done the same thing. started out with a 'MOUSE' sander and resorted to a belt sander with 80grit. what a job! that amber stuff has to be the toughest plastic I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with.

I then gradually worked up with finer and finer grit until 600. I used this all over the light as there was a lot of yellowing and some scratches that I wanted to remove.

The trouble is that the standard indicator it not 'smoked' so it doesn't match the cleared/ smoked headlight corners.

I am going to have to split the lens from the housing now and then spraypaint he insides black/ gun metal.

I have taken pics of this process and will post them when I have completed the job.

This is not a job for the fainthearted

Rich

[jbryshun]

Originally Posted by Krazy_Kameleon

I have just done the same thing. started out with a 'MOUSE' sander and resorted to a belt sander with 80grit. what a job! that amber stuff has to be the toughest plastic I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with.

I then gradually worked up with finer and finer grit until 600. I used this all over the light as there was a lot of yellowing and some scratches that I wanted to remove.

The trouble is that the standard indicator it not 'smoked' so it doesn't match the cleared/ smoked headlight corners.

I am going to have to split the lens from the housing now and then spraypaint he insides black/ gun metal.

I have taken pics of this process and will post them when I have completed the job.

This is not a job for the fainthearted

Rich

How did you manage? Pictures?

When you sanded the amber off did you get to a clear lens under it?

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by jbryshun

How did you manage? Pictures?

When you sanded the amber off did you get to a clear lens under it?

Yes, he did. They are all clear underneath the amber.

See here - http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/51810-our-amber-headlights-can-de-ambered.html

[Krazy_Kameleon]

It's surprising how thick the plastic is - just keep sanding.

I have since sold the first pair I did and bought a 2nd pair of amber lights to de-amber.
Things I learned from the first time around:
1. Mask off the rest of the headlight before sanding the amber section - this makes it a whole lot less work when you need to polish up the headlight at the end
2. Sand off the amber slowly allowing time to cool - I used a lot of water. If you apply too much pressure the plastic melts and liquifies. this heat can cause distortion that blemishes the entire lens right through the clear underneath.
3. make sure you use the 'sealer' in your lens restoration kit afterward. I didn't do this and lenses yellowed again very quickly

hope that helps

[Edinh81]

hi ... is it possible for you to send me these pics or repost them?

Originally Posted by geetee