DIY Headlight Fog

[BlkDeathSi]

Any one else have a fogging problem like this after DIY painting?

Seems the fog is 'etched ' into the lens, any suggestions as to clear the lens back up?
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/pc4bb3691a09d98944812737b6c62a163/faafe236.jpg.orig.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/p227f14511747d9a9c3e7274c0e082179/faafe239.jpg.orig.jpg

[BlkDeathSi]

Other image.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/pc4bb3691a09d98944812737b6c62a163/faafe236.jpg.orig.jpg

[Rey]

You could open them up, clean them up, and reseal them with silicon..

[Civicvtec1ps]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/pc4bb3691a09d98944812737b6c62a163/faafe236.jpg
reopen and reseal.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/p227f14511747d9a9c3e7274c0e082179/faafe239.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/pc4bb3691a09d98944812737b6c62a163/faafe236.jpg

[BlkDeathSi]

I did reopen, clean and reseal. I am saying that the fog seems to be etched into the lens itself:mad:, it will not come off. :'(

[VIZHUNZ02SI]

dam n i was thinkin of doin mines to a dark grey with hi gloss
but i guess that wont happen

[madbrain]

You could try the Meguires Plastix polish to remove the film.

[02SilverSiHB]

was it the fog there just after you did the diy?
I'm wondering if you maybe smeared the inside lense with something that caused the inside of the lense to be permanently smeared. Try taking some windex and cleaning the inside, or before that, see if it's in the outside and take some goo off or alcohol and hope it's just some gunk on the outside.
Does it ever go away and does it just happen in the morning?

[BlkDeathSi]

Fog is constant, came on after about 2-3 days. I took it apart the other day and the fog will not come off. I will try the Meguiar's and see what happens.

If not maybe i can coax my wife into buying me some jdm hid light for x-mas, ;) oh sorry must have been daydreaming.

[Spazhead]

could it be the fumes from the paint you used or the fumes from the seal you used to put them back together has melted the plastic or distorted it. How long did you let it dry before putting back together??

[BlkDeathSi]

I'm guessing paint fumes. I let the paint dry for about 6-7 hours, I even baked the painted art for about 25-30 min to release any fumes that would come off due to exssevie heat.
I did not use any sealent to put back together other than the sealant that was on the lights . . . just reheated and put together with presseure.
I guess that I really just f*cked 'em up/:mad:

[02SilverSiHB]

Originally posted by BlkDeathSi
I'm guessing paint fumes. I let the paint dry for about 6-7 hours, I even baked the painted art for about 25-30 min to release any fumes that would come off due to exssevie heat.
I did not use any sealent to put back together other than the sealant that was on the lights . . . just reheated and put together with presseure.
I guess that I really just f*cked 'em up/:mad:
damn, I think that the inside of the headlight is extremely sensitive and can permanetly smear. That sucks.
Anyway, I just noticed you are from San Antonio! Damn, I don't think I've seen you around yet.

[Tiger_Si]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/pc4bb3691a09d98944812737b6c62a163/faafe236.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/p227f14511747d9a9c3e7274c0e082179/faafe239.jpg

[chubbychu]

this is why im too chicken to do aynthing like this

[r3p00c]

Originally posted by plainol2k2si
this is why im too chicken to do aynthing like this

same for me... i REALLY wanna do the gunmetal/amber headlight painting, but i'm really worried about getting discoloration / fuming / moisture from breaking the seal and introducting a new chemical to the high heat of the headlight. i'm considering buying a set of ctr lights, THEN messing with my stock lights... that way i have something to fall back on if i screw up :)

[VIZHUNZ02SI]

i have the sam problem too. i recently did mine light and now i have a little moisture buil coming from the bottom of each turning signal
can any one help

[RacingCivicSi02]

Originally posted by VIZHUNZ02SI
i have the sam problem too. i recently did mine light and now i have a little moisture buil coming from the bottom of each turning signal
can any one help

Open it up and clean it good. Then reseal make sure there isn't any hole or gap. Silicone work great for glueing.

[Brettnyt]

Im thinking about doing mine... maybe tommarow or sometime this weekend... Im really scared of fog or screwing up tho...

[blackout]

dont use alcohol on plastic, it will smear and scuff it up. if its a moisture ploblem take out the bulbs and dry it out with a hair dryer and seal up any air leaks. I have a small moisture\fog prob with mine when I wash it. but it drys out a day or 2 later. Ive just been hesitating to take the whole headlight off the car again.

[l33t]

i think it was the paint fumes that were corrosive to the plastic, supergle has the same effect on model car windows and stuff if it lets off alot of fumes

[camslash]

that's what you get for using a sharpie.

i'm no chemist, but it seems to me that since it took a few days to fog there could have been practically no vapor or fumes when you sealed it and still caused the damage. even if there were no fumes i bet the heat from the headlights would release some paint vapor that would melt the inside surface of the light housing. i wonder if there is a vapor free clear coat or sealant that could be applied to the painted surface before reassembly to insure that headlight heat or insufficient drying time won't cause the paint to release vapor. i wonder if some kind of organic dye or stain could be used rather than paint. i wonder if i could make my own headlights out of wishing, dreaming and bitterness. i wonder if mankind will ever learn to live responsibly with mutual respect and flaming hot cheetos.

[Kis4KEN]

they sell paint strippers for plastics... its safe. i used it on my old headlights... i think that its just overspray... hey try a clay bar... u never know