96CivicEXSedan

So my 1996 Civic is obviously climbing up there in age. I don't think the headlights have ever been changed, but I do think they are not very bright anymore. Maybe technology has changed I don't really know but compared to other cars it seems like I don't put out much light.

The outside headlights are definitely yellowed and fogged up. Using the meguiars plastix stuff helps a little after you use it, but it's obviously short term.

So I was wondering... should I just try replacing the bulbs or the whole headlight unit? I'm not sure what just bulbs cost but the whole units are like 100 bucks for a pair. A bit more than I want to spend, but I don't really know if changing the headlights will help for sure. Should I expect a noticeable improvement by upgrading these 15 year old lamp lights?

joeshmo

Plast-x is NOT short term if done correctly. If the dulling of your lights is due to hazing/oxidation on the lenses, replacing just the bulbs will not help.

98civdx

Do you have a drill?

The 3m headlight restore kit works great!! It's the only one I will use.

Do that, and then throw some better halogen bulbs in it.

99civ

Yeah def clean the lenses or buy new ones... If not, check your grounds. My 94's we're dull and I re did both sides grounds+changed the bulbs and it was literally night and day, no pun intended.

Safety_Driver

You can do one of these two:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggO4G0iEcnk

or

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=....c0.m270.l1313

I got mine for $70 from ebay, but did not insatl them yet.

98civdx

Don't waste your money on those ebay peices of ****. I had them, now they just sit in the garage.

Oh yea, the tabs break really easy so whatch out for that.

99civ

Also, if you go ebay... buy a bottle of silicone sealant too. You'll need to re-seal them upon arrival.

joeshmo

Just clean the stock lenses the proper way and throw a good quality wax on them.

Wrona

what i do is 600 Grit 800 Grit 1000 grit 1500 Grit 2000Grit some car polish Meguiars mirror glaze fine cut cleaner than plast X and than i just use a little turtle wax and the headlights on all my cars are brand new looking even did it on my friends 350Z Supercharged and when you look at them from a distance it looks like it has no plastic lens just internals

joeshmo

This is the proper way to clean headlights although meguiars mirror glaze is not necessary (although it will reduce the amount and time with plast-x) and I would use a synthetic wax rather than a carnuba.

Wrona

yeah i also use a buffer with all of this when im putting the stuff on but hwen i wax it i just use it by hand with the little pad they give u

joeshmo

Yeah, harborfreight and others sell a nice little 3" buffer kit that I use. You can use it with those little sanding pads too.

96CivicEXSedan

Thanks all so much for the helpful tips.

Wrona

yeah i have a 6" cause i can also buff my car with it but it works great i got mine at HF and it hasnt let me down yet

Safety_Driver

Hi!

I bought them already from ebay.
What kind of silicone is good to get and also what kind of polish to put on them to prevent the plastic from dulling and cracking?

Thanks in advance to whom will answer!

Drive safely!