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Topic: Older headlight resto (Read 1029 times) previous topic - next topic

Older headlight resto

This is another way to clean up faded head lights. I used standard sealed beams.
George Ray 1992 U280 40'

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #1 –
Quote from: George –
This is another way to clean up faded head lights. I used standard sealed beams.

Could you give us the details on how you did it?
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #2 –
Basically, a small cut off wheel, cut out faded center, insert seal beam, secure with small bolt . Cut out plexiglass, secure with rtv, use masking tape, till cured. Then adjust it.
George Ray 1992 U280 40'

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #3 –
Is it really that easy? I've been trying to think of a way to put sealed beam bulbs in my coach for a long time now. I hate the plastic Ford headlights. Have you driven at night with this modification yet? Are the bulbs secure even on bumpy roads?... Any other problems you can foresee happening before we all run right out and do this?! haha
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #4 –
No matter how faded, a jitterbug starting with fairly fine wet or dry (wet) and progressing to 2500 will make the OEM plastic lenses like new in a couple of minutes. Don't even need a buffer after the 2500. HID kits are available from stock brightness to very bright and also in your choice of temperature (color). Not much work and about $59 or so delivered. If you have an air compressor, Harbor Freight has a very excellent jitterbug for exactly $24.99 Jitterbug Orbital Air Sander  Well made and does not use too much air so most compressors will run it. I turn the speed down a little. Have used it for many hours with only a little air tool lube each time.

HID kits are about $59 with the big advantage of not having to install the sealed beams and then trying to aim them. About 10 minutes to clean up the lenses, a half hour to install the new bulbs and power supplies and an hour to run a wire down from the ignition solenoid.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #5 –
I just want incandescent or halogen light that's not brown! :))  The plastic lenses will probably require polishing every year for the rest of my life according to what I've read... (sigh)
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #6 –
I buffed mine several times, got to the point where it did not do any good. Then I went to this mod.
George Ray 1992 U280 40'

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #8 –
After reading Pierce post on the upgrade I ordered those last week and should get them next week. I just went out and tried the bug spray thing and it cleaned them up but not like the utube guys. ::) but I'm sure being as old as they are it might take a little more work.
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #9 –
I polished ours with a kit from the auto parts store, worked very nicely.  I decided for me that the best way to minimize this problem is to not drive at night, I'm just not in that big of a hurry.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #10 –
"I polished ours with a kit from the auto parts store, worked very nicely."  3M kit, I did the same and it worked great. 
I just discovered that the Bar Keepers Friend | Cleaning Products | Household Cleaning Supplies does the same. I used it on another car's headlights & also worked.
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #11 –
While we were stopped in PA last year our son-in-law did polished ours. Got the kit from an auto parts store Auto Zone I think. It had 3 different grit grades and an adapter for your drill. Worked great and are still shining.

Don't know about other states but in Maine if your headlights are yellow like ours were you will not pass inspection.

Norm

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #12 –
State inspection laws are an excellent point that I hadn't considered. Those of you in Pennsylvania should check to see if your coach will still pass inspection before you do a headlight modification. When I lived in PA all lighting had to be factory original in order to pass. It was ridiculous, but that was the letter of the law at that time. Hopefully it's changed since then (?)
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)
 

Re: Older headlight resto

Reply #13 –
Quote from: RRadio –
State inspection laws are an excellent point that I hadn't considered. Those of you in Pennsylvania should check to see if your coach will still pass inspection before you do a headlight modification. When I lived in PA all lighting had to be factory original in order to pass. It was ridiculous, but that was the letter of the law at that time. Hopefully it's changed since then (?)

With a nice and clean modification, do you think the inspection people would even notice?  pc
S/W Houston 95" U320C SE/40' 
Build #4778  Cummins M11
Repairs & Covered RV Parking (BAO)
PPL is close..