Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

went to my Chrysler dealer for an inspection and the guy told me that he couldn't pass it because of my headlights being "too fogged". He quoted me $180 because he said that he needs to take out both headlights and clean them from the inside (that's crazy!). So do you know anyway i can fix them without spending much money or buying new headlights?

Attachment 27153

Attachment 27154


Attachment 27155


Attachment 27156

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

Looks like oxidation on the outside.
If do uou can sand and polish them. If that is not something you want to do yourself you can have a detail shop do it.

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

Thank you! Will Definitely try it out! Thanks!

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

From the looks at the deposits, I have to wonder if the 'meth' will dissolve it cause it looks rather heavy not the foggy disposition I have seen on cars typically. Should soap and water was be attempted first to knock down some of that crud, Max??

Woody:confused:

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

Best stuff I've used to clean the outside is a small kit made by 3M. It's a pad that attaches to the end of a drill, comes with various sanding pads and polishes. $20 at autozone, well worth it.

BTW, shame on you for letting your headlights look like that.

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

From the looks of it, both inside and outside need some work. Do the headlights feel rough/sandy at the bottom? If not its on the inside. You can even get a kit by turtle wax from Walmart that works great.. even though the rest of their products are garbage. Do the outside and see if the ca will pass, if not just get it inspected at a gas station as they won't be as picky.

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

I'm curious if that crud in inside, or outside?

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

BTW, it is nearly impossible to clean the lenses from the inside, and you can only reach small areas to get condensation marks. I have poked a small wire with a cloth on the tip through the small bulb socket hole in the corner of the headlight assembly for very light cleaning. The clear plastic lens is glued on and is not made to come off. If for some reason there were more issues inside you would be better off getting another set, but that is very unlikely the issue.

Get the lens restore kits they work well, but it does take some time. Do not expect results with just 10 minutes work.

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

indelibility has it right.
i used this kit and it was great.
looked like brand-new.
took 1/2 hour, maybe.

Do some reading, there is a DIY on here how to clean the inside with alcohol so you don't have to reach anywhere. Also it's very feasible to separate the headlight by either using a heat gun or a stove on low heat, people do it all the time to paint the inner housing.

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

I'd just focus on the outside right now. Tape the bumper off with blue painter's tape and get to work with one of the restoration kits. Otherwise, have a body shop professionally restore them for $100 or less. I doubt the inside is an issue or really even dirty at all.

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

"it's very feasible to separate the headlight by either using a heat gun or a stove on low heat, people do it all the time to paint the inner housing."

No kidding? Where have you seen that process?

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

Someone ripped into me for saying that and then showed how it was done on a Crossfire headlight.:eek:

At least I was correct in saying the oven method was no good, now I'm waiting for someone to prove me wrong on that as well.;)
Live and learn.

At $400 a pop I have no ambition to try it though.

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

Woody (and to the OP!), in my completely professional and useless opinion, I would say:

remove the assemblies and do a complete sand and polish. 3M or Meguiars kits. You might have to use a more aggressive wet/dry paper (than the P500 and P800 provided) to completely remove the damage from the surface.

After they are polished on the outside, then see if the runny-looking film remains. That would require my tutorial on rinsing them out. I've only done that twice, but they both looked like the photos in the first post.

Of course, that's JMHO, :rolleyes:

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

xman03, toolman is correct. These assemblies do not have typical "cook ;em off" lenses. I believe one person was successful, but he still had to do a lot of cutting/sawing.

Once again, I could be wrong. Anyone else?:confused:

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

I thought the lenses were Lexan and only the fogs used glass.:confused:

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

The internal Hemispherical projector lense, not the poly case front. Woody

Re: Won't pass inspection because of my lights, any way to fix them?
 

Take your car to a different place for an inspection. He us just trying to make money off you. Not passing your car for that is rediculous.