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Location:
Southern Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Tue, 12 November 2002 23:17
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Not sure if this is really technical or conversion material but thought this was the most appropriate place to post.
My passenger side headlight had the common steamed up moisture problem that all soarers seem to suffer from.
I've read on websites methods of removing it ranging from heatguns to sticking the whole headlight in the Oven and baking the thing.
All of these methods are aimed at softening the glue so the unit could be pulled apart. I read stories of it taking up to 7 hours before they even had the headlight apart, let alone cleaned and re sealed.
I've come up with a new method that works a treat and doesn't involve pulling apart the headlight
First of all remove the headlight from the car. Plenty of websites have directions on how to do this so I won't go further.
Remove all bulbs and take off the rubber section on the back of the headlight.
Now here is the good bit.
I have access to an incubator (don't ask why). Place the headlight inside the incubator, glass side facing down, along with a container full of those silicon beads that absorb moisture.
Set the incubator to around 50 degrees C and leave overnight.
(this shouldn't be too hot, headlight won't hatch  )
The heat will cause the moisture to evaporate and the silicon beads will then absorb all the moisture leaving you with a nice clear shinny headlight.
If you don't have access to an incubator you can simply place the headlight upside down (glass facing down) and put a reading lamp next shining on the glass. This also works but may take longer.
While you have the headlight out I'd suggest you redo all the seals with some kind of sealant like selly's all clear, to prevent it fogging up again.
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Location:
Preston
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Wed, 13 November 2002 00:10
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Thats great!! I've been considering sticking mine in the oven for a while now, but have been worried. I'll try and give it a go this weekend!!
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Location:
_Sydney _
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Wed, 13 November 2002 06:36
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Crikey no baby headlights? lol  I dont seem to have this prob with mine well havent noticed it ne ways. 
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Location:
Southern Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Wed, 13 November 2002 06:50
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You must be one of the lucky few!!!
Or perhaps the previous owner already pulled it out and resealed it?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Brisbane, QLD
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Wed, 13 November 2002 10:10
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Awesome! makes cleaning the head lights much easier. But I should point out that (at least in my case) sometimes you want to polish the inside and maybe put sealant around so that you might not have to do it again...
Cheers
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Location:
Southern Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Wed, 13 November 2002 21:39
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Yeah I realise that.... mine weren't too dirty on the inside and hey.... I'm lazy...
Just an update... I've sealed the unit again now (Selley's All Clear) and it has been two days since the actual cleaning process and there are no signs of moisture returning...
I think i might post this onto the Lexus Soarers owners club website as they are all baking their headlights and other crazy stuff.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Brisbane, QLD
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Thu, 28 November 2002 23:18
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Just cleaned up my Supra headlights. I used the technique remedy came up with, but in an oven instead. Works awesome! Good work remedey.
However, one of the headlights needed a little polishing inside. So, had to pull it apart.
As for he oven, the glue comes out real easy (well, need to pry it open with a butter knife or something and use some weetbix power, but hey...) after being in the oven for 15 minutes @ 90C.
When you are putting it back on, a hair drier works the best.
As for cleaning the plastic, Novus 3->2->1 works wonders! Novus 1 works well on the plastic reflector bits. Novus stuff is amazing. It's great to see the scratches dissapear! Woohoo!!!
Anyways, thought I should share my experience and once again, awesome work rememdy!
Cheers
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Sat, 30 November 2002 02:16
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For those of us that don't have an incubator handy and would much prefer a little more Aussie Cred(tm), maybe a pie warmer would be a good alternative??
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Location:
Bayside Melbourne.
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Wed, 14 July 2004 02:35
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This oven tip works beautifully... However I have found a huge crack that I hadn't noticed before that I will now have to glue. I don't think that the heat did it but just make sure the oven isn't too hot when you do it.
*Sorry to dredge up such an old thread. I thought I'd just add my success story.
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Wed, 14 July 2004 06:11
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| SIMDOG wrote on Wed, 14 July 2004 12:35 |
This oven tip works beautifully... However I have found a huge crack that I hadn't noticed before that I will now have to glue. I don't think that the heat did it but just make sure the oven isn't too hot when you do it.
*Sorry to dredge up such an old thread. I thought I'd just add my success story.
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Oh, no stress, it's good to read stuff I wrote a few months ago 
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Location:
Bayside Melbourne.
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Wed, 14 July 2004 06:19
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 FU!
BTW its more like a year and a half. 
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Location:
Tassie
Registered:
October 2003
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Location:
Bayside Melbourne.
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: Soarer Headlight moisture removal.
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Wed, 14 July 2004 08:34
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Anyone know a good way to remove the f*ckin' silicone? It is so sticky and rubbery that my knife won't scrape/cut it off. I am having a little success with the stuff stuck to the glass but will inevitably start slicing the plastic if I use the same method on the plastic. 
Ps: my finger hurts. 
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