Fogged headlights

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Old 09-14-2011 | 12:55 PM
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Fogged headlights

I could not find a thread on this, except some scattered posts about it being repaired under warranty.

I'm way out of warranty at this point. I was wondering if anybody knew anything more about fogged headlights? Is there a way I can clean up the lights and then reseal the existing ones? How much do new ones cost (probably a ton)?
Old 09-14-2011 | 12:59 PM
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http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no
Old 09-14-2011 | 01:07 PM
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Doesn't look like I can replace just the cover. Have to replace the entire unit at $813 apiece.

I guess I might try baking my lights in the oven. What do I have to lose.
Old 09-14-2011 | 01:21 PM
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Something like this?

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/headlight-lens-823759/
Old 09-14-2011 | 01:23 PM
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No. My headlight has water condensation inside. Not sure how it got there, seeing as how we haven't had rain in a year. It probably happened when my car was being washed.

It's been there about 3 weeks now and doesn't seem to be able to evaporate.
Old 09-14-2011 | 01:27 PM
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O i c...
Old 09-14-2011 | 01:40 PM
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guessing a bad seal. You can do the oven treatment. to get the lens off then clean the lens really well. then instally some nissan Butyl rubber robe to seal up the headlight.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=792
Old 09-14-2011 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Carbon Legend
guessing a bad seal. You can do the oven treatment. to get the lens off then clean the lens really well. then instally some nissan Butyl rubber robe to seal up the headlight.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=792
Thanks.


Now any advice/instructions on removing the headlights? I'm guessing I will have to remove the front bumper as well.
Old 03-05-2012 | 07:14 AM
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Refresh

Here are some before and after pictures.

Details

2G RL headlights
Refinished inside passenger side lens
Complete front lens restoration
Disassemble and clean all internal parts on passenger side light.
Resealed headlights

BEFORE















AFTER








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Old 03-05-2012 | 03:29 PM
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what whaaaat... I need this in my life!
Old 03-05-2012 | 03:37 PM
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just curious of your process on the inside of the lens. did you use a clear coat? or did you use a sealant?
Old 03-05-2012 | 05:59 PM
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Wow - where do you live? I would pay you to do this for me!
Old 03-05-2012 | 07:06 PM
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Those lights in the pictures are mine. I sent my lights to JnC to get them fixed up and so far its been a great process. I am looking forward to getting them back and installed. I recently bought a second car so I was able to lay up the RL for the two or so weeks it will take (shipping to and from).

I would highly recommend JnC.
Old 03-05-2012 | 09:32 PM
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WOW that's nice. How much will this cost with shipping. This will make a big improvement at night.
Old 03-11-2012 | 12:58 AM
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I need this in my life.

Sent you a PM
Old 04-12-2012 | 09:37 PM
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Hey Jnc. I need ur services asap!! Sent u a pm.
Originally Posted by JnC
Here are some before and after pictures.

Details

2G RL headlights
Refinished inside passenger side lens
Complete front lens restoration
Disassemble and clean all internal parts on passenger side light.
Resealed headlights

BEFORE















AFTER








Old 04-16-2012 | 11:29 AM
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jose3031's headlights

Didnt feel like starting a new thread so here are a couple of pictures.

Details

05-06 RL headlights
Bronze bezel painted matte black
Silver DRL and low beam bezel painted hi gloss black
Turn signal diffuser garnish/strip painted hi gloss black
Smoked out parking light amber diffuser
TSX-R clear lenses with custom cut off shields
New Phillips 85122+ bulbs













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Old 04-16-2012 | 11:52 AM
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Where do I send the check.
Old 04-16-2012 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by HEAVY_RL
Where do I send the check.


Old 04-16-2012 | 12:05 PM
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BTW, the RL headlights are a pain to work with, especially taking off all the bezels and all the pertinent fixtures. Just to give you an idea, there are a total of 27 freaking screws holding everything in place within each headlight.

The worst part is taking off the amber diffusers and the front clear turn signal diffuser and the garnish on top of it. Its pretty much impossible if you are impatient. lol
Old 04-16-2012 | 12:09 PM
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Oh my goodness!!
Old 04-16-2012 | 12:47 PM
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JNC can you send me a quote for just the cleaning up of the lenses? And another one for the projector lense swap?
Old 04-16-2012 | 04:29 PM
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rather than send him a PM, why not just give us all a ballpark idea what this costs, should we ever decide to send you our headlights?? is this a $250 job or a $500 job, or more???

i like the fact that you can customize stuff by painting... I'd also love to see those fugly orange amber things changed to clear!
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Old 04-16-2012 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by 23109VC
rather than send him a PM, why not just give us all a ballpark idea what this costs, should we ever decide to send you our headlights?? is this a $250 job or a $500 job, or more???

i like the fact that you can customize stuff by painting... I'd also love to see those fugly orange amber things changed to clear!
Im working on it!
Old 04-16-2012 | 06:52 PM
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For those that like looking at things side by side:

Fogged headlights-teprz.jpg
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Old 04-16-2012 | 06:53 PM
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The left is not a before, it's the set that JnC did before mine
But seeing them next to each other helps a lot.
Old 04-16-2012 | 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 23109VC
rather than send him a PM, why not just give us all a ballpark idea what this costs, should we ever decide to send you our headlights?? is this a $250 job or a $500 job, or more???

i like the fact that you can customize stuff by painting... I'd also love to see those fugly orange amber things changed to clear!

Job depends on what needs to be done.

Labor for just painting the internals is $175. I usually charge $150 for the 3G people but the RL headlights require at least a couple of hours just disassembling everything without damaging any of the parts.

Lens resurfacing ranges from $40~$60 depending on how bad they are, so that would alter from one set to another.

TSX-R clear lens swap with custom cut off shields is an additional $70, includes cost of lens.

Phillips bulbs are $90 for the pair.

Hope this helps .

Lights come with warranty against leakage, fogging etc. I have been doing lights for almost 10 years, 7 on AZ alone and I stand behind my work. For references my few threads in the 3G and 4G sections can be checked out.
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Old 04-16-2012 | 07:51 PM
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JnC has been 100% professional and communicative throughout this whole process. I hope the RL folks pick up on this and start using him for all their headlight mod needs. You could do it yourself and royally screw it up or give it to him and know it'd be done 100% to your liking.

Results talk.
BS walks.
Old 04-17-2012 | 08:25 AM
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I need this in my life...
Old 04-17-2012 | 06:15 PM
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For those that said they'd like something like this...
I have an extra set of headlights I can send to JnC to have this done to.

Would any of you be interested? PM me.
Old 04-17-2012 | 07:38 PM
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Can't wait to get mines done and it's in Ma where I'm from!! Can you change the amber corner reflectors also?
Old 04-17-2012 | 07:43 PM
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This thread inspired me to try restoring headlights of a friend's 2000 BMW 3-series. I used one of those $25 kits. This IS a lot of work and required much more than a kit if you want it to look new like this guy does. However, about 30 minutes per side and they looked very good, not perfect, but very good. She was thrilled because they were so far gone she could not see and they had a yellow cake layer on them. I had to use 320 grit on them to grind off all the crud, then the 1000 and 3000 that came with it. But then, there is still a haze inside, and that's what I could not do. If the lights look new like they do in these pics, this service is worth it. Luckily my RL was probably garage kept because the headlights are clear. I like the custom paint, but I like the stock black chrome as well. I wonder how they would look with the car's exterior color? Well, not on this car...
Old 04-17-2012 | 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by jose3031
For those that said they'd like something like this...
I have an extra set of headlights I can send to JnC to have this done to.

Would any of you be interested? PM me.
How many PMs did you get? I might appreciate your help.
Old 04-18-2012 | 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by HEAVY_RL
How many PMs did you get? I might appreciate your help.
LOL I didnt get any...
Old 04-22-2012 | 01:26 PM
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RLCLAW's headlights

RLCLAW sent his modified headlights to be fixed recently.

Issues on arrival


- Bad seal
- Scratches on the outside of the lenses
- Scratches and damaged clear coat on the inside of the lenses
- Damaged silicone channel
- Water residue on the inside passenger side lens

Modifications

- Fixed silicone channel
- Removed/replaced all old sealant with black kioto sealant
- Resurfaced and clear coated both inside and outside of the lenses
- Replaced OEM ballast gaskets.



Before







After





Pictures to show clarity of the front lenses.







Old 04-22-2012 | 01:48 PM
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Guys im new hear so be gentle.In England we have the same issue on headlights on the 7th gen Accord.
A good cheap fix is to fix 50 gram silicon bags in the light unit job done.
Old 04-23-2012 | 06:41 PM
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New project to get front of car repainted & new headlights installed.

Here they are:





And here are the headlights w/ the new Xenon-match foglights I installed:

Old 04-23-2012 | 07:03 PM
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I have a used set of headlights that will likely go on Ebay within the next few weeks. If someone wants to take advantage of this w/ minimal downtime, this would be perfect.
Old 04-13-2014 | 06:49 PM
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Jnc does excellent work...he has done 2 sets of 3G headlights and a set of is250 headlights for me and I have no complaints...he puts a lot of effort into his work and stands by it
Old 04-13-2014 | 07:40 PM
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These pics just remind me how handsome the RL is... it's a great looking car!
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