I have a 2001 Civic LX

A few years ago, an accident required the replacement of the passenger side unit.

Now the driver side is very worn while the passenger side is clear.

Restorative treatment does not work.

Can I just replace the housing cover? rather than spend $70 - 100 on a whole new unit?

If so, could you point me to where to find it, because I am having no luck.

Thanks

 

Just to be sure, tape off the headlight to protect the painted parts, wet sand the headlight with super fine grit sandpaper, dry, then hit it with several coats of clear spray paint. This technique has never failed me.

You can't get just the lens, you'll have to get the whole assembly. Try here for new aftermarket: Certifit Online You can also find new aftermarket fairly cheap on eBay.

 

Hi, lazlong.

Thanks for the response.

What number grit sandpaper do you use please? I had a look in hardware store and what they call super fine seems like it would gouge the headlight cover terribly.

 

I think I've used 2000 grit wet & dry? Then some polish after

 

Any fine to medium grit will work. The clear will fill in any scratches that aren't too deep.

Use at least 3 coats of clear. The more coats you use the longer it will last.

 

OK, Thanks kaivorth and lazlong.

I should be able to try it this weekend.

I appreciate the help.

 

Did this work?

 

Hi, prodjay.

I have been swamped. Every time I thought I had time to do the work, something has come up.

I am HOPING that I can get to it this weekend.

I have all the stuff, (sandpaper, clear paint, etc) except the time.

I am going to take a before picture to show just how bad it is and how little light comes out, and compare it to after picture and post it.

So, hopefully this weekend.

 

OK, had the day off so I decided to tackle this project.

To show you how bad it was before, here are pictures taken during day and night.






This is taken today after the work is done :






Hardly like new, but a damn sight better than it was. The old 1 1/2 watt nightlights put out as much as it used to.

And a whole lot better spending $10 (5 for sandpaper, 5 for paint) than $80-100 and taking down the bumper (and probably breaking half the attaching pins).

I just don't understand where the "bumps" that are covering the lens came from. I am not sure if that is what is keeping all the light from getting out.

I had that thing sanded down to fresh plastic with 220, then 600, then 1200 and 4 coats of paint.

Am I done? Can it get better? Or should I leave well enough alone and be glad I have 2 headlights again?

Thanks,

Doc

 

I wonder if that is because the sun or weather damage went deeper into the lens. I think you may have to sand paper a bit more to get them out.

If the headlight works better I'd leave it alone. But that's my opinion.

 

Hi, prodjay

I guess it's possible, but I did really get down in there and got it very "clean", or at least I thought so.

If I can figure out how to send lazlong a message, I can ask him to take a look.

He said the method has never failed him so hopefully he can advise.

Thanks,

Doc

edited: message to lazlong sent. Hopefully he will come back to this and let us know.

 

I've seen that happen but, not near that bad. I had assumed I had sprayed the paint on too thick but don't know for sure.

Either way, it's a damn sight better.