headlight glass clean

Rev Jules · 17th July 2013, 17:40

Is it true I have to take off the bumper to clean the inside of my headlights.

Julien

okenora · 17th July 2013, 21:11

don't panic about taking the bumper off. It's actually one of the easier jobs on a rover 75. I have mine down to about 10 minutes now but all the bolts and clips are in good condition and rust free.

10 Phillips headed across top of slam panel, 2 x 10mm in wheel arch and a selection of screws along the bottom edge and undertray, usually all rusted there but quite often some missing

Howie666 · 17th July 2013, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by julienhoulton

Is it true I have to take off the bumper to clean the inside of my headlights.

Julien

I don't know if it helps, but following my ad - hoc research the discoloration is almost certainly all on the outside of the headlight lens - they're pretty well sealed inside. Of course, removing the bumper will make polishing the headlights much easier in any case. Mine really need doing

bubs · 18th July 2013, 06:35

You'll spend just as much time trying to tape up and protect the bumper as you would just taking it off.
I did mine recently and the only problem i came across was the plastic sleeve that the inner arch screw goes into had pushed up making it nigh impossible to remove/refit the side of the bumper. Just make sure that's in place and it's a simple job.

Rev Jules · 18th July 2013, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howie666

I don't know if it helps, but following my ad - hoc research the discoloration is almost certainly all on the outside of the headlight lens - they're pretty well sealed inside. Of course, removing the bumper will make polishing the headlights much easier in any case. Mine really need doing

Thanks for the reply, tried a mild abrasive did not shift it??

Julien

stevestrat · 18th July 2013, 11:44

Did mine a few days ago, got various grades of wet/dry from 400 to 2500. Quartered the sheets, soaked them in a bucket of water for a couple of hours. Bumper off, start with the 400 grit (one was so bad started with 240!) and work your way up the the 2500 grit, plenty of water, finish with Tcut or similar cutting compound. Doesn't take long and makes a big difference, mine were hazy, now crystal clear.

Howie666 · 18th July 2013, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by julienhoulton

Thanks for the reply, tried a mild abrasive did not shift it??

Julien

I tried toothpaste, as seen on YouTube. Made the dirt smell minty fresh, did nothing useful at all and made my hand hurt! I've heard sandpaper mentioned but I'm not that brave! I'm still convinced the discolouration and dirt is all on the outside...

bubs · 18th July 2013, 12:01

Easiet way to see if its on the outside would be to feel it, mine weren't very smooth to touch when they were cloudy.

biggles160 · 18th July 2013, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

Did mine a few days ago, got various grades of wet/dry from 400 to 2500. Quartered the sheets, soaked them in a bucket of water for a couple of hours. Bumper off, start with the 400 grit (one was so bad started with 240!) and work your way up the the 2500 grit, plenty of water, finish with Tcut or similar cutting compound. Doesn't take long and makes a big difference, mine were hazy, now crystal clear.

Glad to hear it worked, did the sandpaper not scratch the glass / plastic? I have xenons, and one lens on one side is particuarly hazed, so would like to rectify it, being the ex owner of a valeting and detailing business, I have plenty of compounds, some very abrasive, none of them shifted it, I was thinking about using various grits of wet n dry, but haven't been brave enough as I didn't want to scratch the lenses!

brgcdti · 18th July 2013, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestrat

Did mine a few days ago, got various grades of wet/dry from 400 to 2500. Quartered the sheets, soaked them in a bucket of water for a couple of hours. Bumper off, start with the 400 grit (one was so bad started with 240!) and work your way up the the 2500 grit, plenty of water, finish with Tcut or similar cutting compound. Doesn't take long and makes a big difference, mine were hazy, now crystal clear.

I did the same treatment to mine last weekend but didn't remove bumper. Started with the 400 wet & dry .. and like you ended with 2500. Used Farecla to polish and final polish with plastic window cleaner (as used for convertibles). It would have been easier and quicker with the bumper off and use machine but no problems.
They look like glass now

17th July 2013, 17:40	#1
Rev Jules This is my second home Rover 75 Tourer+ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Radcliffe on Trent Posts: 10,711 Thanks: 7,308 Thanked 3,929 Times in 2,051 Posts	headlight glass clean Is it true I have to take off the bumper to clean the inside of my headlights. Julien

18th July 2013, 11:44	#6
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,486 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Did mine a few days ago, got various grades of wet/dry from 400 to 2500. Quartered the sheets, soaked them in a bucket of water for a couple of hours. Bumper off, start with the 400 grit (one was so bad started with 240!) and work your way up the the 2500 grit, plenty of water, finish with Tcut or similar cutting compound. Doesn't take long and makes a big difference, mine were hazy, now crystal clear. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

17th July 2013, 21:11	#2
okenora Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Conn CDT SE + intelligence pack Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Enniskillen Posts: 1,094 Thanks: 6 Thanked 141 Times in 128 Posts	don't panic about taking the bumper off. It's actually one of the easier jobs on a rover 75. I have mine down to about 10 minutes now but all the bolts and clips are in good condition and rust free. 10 Phillips headed across top of slam panel, 2 x 10mm in wheel arch and a selection of screws along the bottom edge and undertray, usually all rusted there but quite often some missing

18th July 2013, 06:35	#4
bubs Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canvey Island, Essex Posts: 1,651 Thanks: 43 Thanked 163 Times in 134 Posts	You'll spend just as much time trying to tape up and protect the bumper as you would just taking it off. I did mine recently and the only problem i came across was the plastic sleeve that the inner arch screw goes into had pushed up making it nigh impossible to remove/refit the side of the bumper. Just make sure that's in place and it's a simple job.

18th July 2013, 12:01	#8
bubs Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canvey Island, Essex Posts: 1,651 Thanks: 43 Thanked 163 Times in 134 Posts	Easiet way to see if its on the outside would be to feel it, mine weren't very smooth to touch when they were cloudy.