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question about grand prix headlights????

V

vader99

New member
I just got myself a 1999 grand prix gtp. The headlights are in decent condition but they are not crystal clear like some other newer cars.

Now, my question, do brand new OEM stock headlights for the 97-03 cars come crystal clear? Or, is the headlight lens kind of opaque even when brand new? It seems on my car you cannot see inside to the bulb very clearly even though the headlight is in decent shape.
 


i think i know what u are talking about... they are not foggy right, just not perfectly clear? If you get aftermarket headlights from a different company then GM they will come clear but if u just get stock replacement headlights that wont help you out... someone correct me if im wrong
 
kjclawson said:
i think i know what u are talking about... they are not foggy right, just not perfectly clear? If you get aftermarket headlights from a different company then GM they will come clear but if u just get stock replacement headlights that wont help you out... someone correct me if im wrong
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OEM's or aftermarkets all come clear. Why would you want hazed lights?
 


kjclawson said:
i think i know what u are talking about... they are not foggy right, just not perfectly clear? If you get aftermarket headlights from a different company then GM they will come clear but if u just get stock replacement headlights that wont help you out... someone correct me if im wrong
Click to expand...

Yes, you are saying exactly what I was talking about. If you try to look into the headlight and look at the chrome reflector or the bulb, it is almost like you are drunk. The inside looks a little blurry when you look through the lens. The lens is clear but not 100% clear like the newer cars.
 
i had the same problem, mine were yellow and really hazy.
i sanded them down progressivly smoother grits all the way to 2000, then used a polishing compound on them.. got them nice , then i kinda effed em up while working on my car, so ive gotta start over, this time im gonna clear coat em and see how that works,.
 
I dont think anyone understands that they are not hazed or fogged up from wear and tear, they are in good shape right?? They just have a clear grainy look to them, i think as long as you go aftermarket in sted of replacement you'll be good
 
they all look like that though. its how they are formed that creates that effect. you cant get away from it.
 


I got a 2004 and i want to clean up the lens, they are scratched and a little hazy. Was gonna sand and buff/wax them, but would it be better to sand, then do some sort of clear coat on them? I'm confused on how I should go about this.
 
i know what ya mean, with the textured lens and the 97+ GP's never had a textured lens on the headlight, always (supposed to be) crystal clear
 
UCF04GPGTPCompG said:
I got a 2004 and i want to clean up the lens, they are scratched and a little hazy. Was gonna sand and buff/wax them, but would it be better to sand, then do some sort of clear coat on them? I'm confused on how I should go about this.
Click to expand...


go to your local parts store and get the meguiars headlight restore kit, there like $20 and comes with a buffer pad for a drill, light sand paper and buffing compound and polishing rags and all that, works great and much cheaper then new lights. Some other companys make em to like blue magic
 
Tomorrow I'm gonna do 600, 1000, 1500, 2000, diamond sand paper then power wax them with the turtle wax I got. I'll see how that works first on the back-up lights, then if that goes well on the headlights.
 
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The key to having it stay is applying a couple layers of clear coat over top of the freshly polished plastic. Clear coat is the reason they last as long as they do in the first place.
 
I did the sand/wax project today and they look pretty good. If I was gonna clear coat the lens do I sand then just clear coat? It wouldn't make sense to clear coat over a waxed lens.
 
That's what I thought, does the clear coat fill the scratches from the sanding pretty well though? I guess several light coats would to the trick, maybe a little while down the road I'll do the clear coat when the wax is mostly gone and I can just sand it with 2000 or so then clearcoat
 
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