96 RK has a film inside the headlight housing. I've tried rubbing alcohol, hot soapy water, scrubbing with rag on a stick. Looks good every time, until it dries. WTF takes this crap off?

 

I have had good luck with just windex and paper towels, You do have to push them around with something. And then used an air compressor to blow out the remaining paper towel fibers

 

Dang, I just answered a question like this on another board -


Did you happen to put in one of those H4 LED or HID replacement bulbs by any chance?

In any case, the haze you're seeing is due to the "out-gassing" of the plastic components that the headlight assembly is made out of and heat causes it. It's very similar to the film that gets on the inside of your car windshield from the fumes emanating from vinyl and plastic parts in your cars dashboard and interior.

Just clean it off. There are even special large Q-tips for that purpose.

 

Just dump it and buy a new replacement. It isn't worth the effort to even start cleaning it IMHO, there is over 20 years of build-up in there. It's a universal 7" round auto unit and should be available at most auto stores cheap enough. For good performance get an E rated one. Resist the cheap LED units that are smothering the market, if tempted buy a well known brand such as Trucklite, not some anonymous Brand X.

 

If you go LED;

TruckLite is what run. My pictures demonstrate them.

The only other brand worthy of consideration is JW Speaker.

JW Speaker is expensive. TruckLite is 99% as good for a much lower price.

Best price on Truck Lite is Drive Train America.

 

It's so simple to clean if nobody has tried before. Crushed ice and denatured Alcohol. Put small ice chips in. Pour Denatured Alcohol in......shake not stirred !!!!! Lol. Only takes a few mins . Pour the mix out. Now simple hair drier to dry up and water bubbles . Been doing it this way since these lights came out. Do it every 9-10 months when I change tire,wheel bearings and brake pads.....simple maintenance .....The big plus? It f in feeeeee
DO NOT USE PAPER TOWELS OR ANYTHING U HAVE TO PUT INSIDE LIGHT. It will just do a half azzed job ( might scratch silver too) and u will want to toss lights.

 

Graham. .....mine do it every 18,000 -20 k. So it's only less than a year. This method cleans 20-30 year old expensive euro jags lights all the time. That's how I figured this out long before we were allowed to have these bulbs. Lol I Do lots of night riding / driving and u could not give me FREE LEDs. We pull them out of everything including big trucks. Too focused in a narrow beam. A bright narrow beam for sure....nothing I need. Rather see a wide field a little dimmer

 

I remember that way being discussed years ago but never had occasion to try it.

The hair dryer you mentioned. Will compressed air do ok to dry things out?

WP

 

I have dry air and it doesn't work as well as hair dryer. Heat gun too hot even on low. Air doesn't dry it quick enough to get rid of water. Remember it's captured... Hey might work for u.....but if not clean and dry air. Oil and stains in light. Kinda what your trying to get rid of. After I wrote this .... Did a set of passing lamps this morning They sparkle . 10 mins of work.....

 

I was sure it would come up at a shop I visit a bit, we had similar situation with some lamps a few wks ago. I had totally forgotten about this method until I saw it here. They do have dry clean air for the paint booth.

On the chance of sounding silly, I'd guess the hair dryer is simple directed into the lamp thru the bulb opening and used to across the lamp to help heat the whole thing Correct??

Yea the heat gun would have been a thought too.

Thanks WP