New to forum and 1997 Sub question

[Ironcelt]

Greetings from SC. Last week I purchased a very nice 1997 GMC C1500 SLE w/ 88K miles (comfortable that's true after checking the maintenance records from the previous two owners), 350 CID / 4WD.

It's now my daily driver, replacing a 2001 Ford Exploder Spurt 4WD. One reason I bought the thing is my research tells me it'll be easier to get running after an EMP event. Yeah, I'm one of the Paranoid Ones.

Most immediate need (I hope): Fix these cloudy headlights. At 57 YOA, my night vision isn't what it used to be and I need to do something quick. I've seen the buff kits, but I'm wondering if the most effective thing isn't to install aftermarket high intensity headlights. I realize just installing lights behind a cloudy lens won't accomplish much and I'm comfortable with putting all new units in. I've seen some with cornering lights built in where the OEM amber lens goes and that looks like a cool idea.

I'm comfortable with working on guns, but it's been awhile since I've tinkered with cars and there's this new stuff out there that I'm not used to and it confuses me... something about electrons or electronics... something like that. New names since I've been active, too.

There's also a semi-new phenomenon called 'Cheap Chinese Crap' that I'd like to stay away from.

Anyone got any thoughts on what to do / buy and from where?

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to participating in the forum. Already learned much, but didn't find anything regarding this in my search.

Steve

 

[Molson02536]

Greetings from SC. Last week I purchased a very nice 1997 GMC C1500 SLE w/ 88K miles (comfortable that's true after checking the maintenance records from the previous two owners), 350 CID / 4WD.

It's now my daily driver, replacing a 2001 Ford Exploder Spurt 4WD. One reason I bought the thing is my research tells me it'll be easier to get running after an EMP event. Yeah, I'm one of the Paranoid Ones.

Most immediate need (I hope): Fix these cloudy headlights. At 57 YOA, my night vision isn't what it used to be and I need to do something quick. I've seen the buff kits, but I'm wondering if the most effective thing isn't to install aftermarket high intensity headlights. I realize just installing lights behind a cloudy lens won't accomplish much and I'm comfortable with putting all new units in. I've seen some with cornering lights built in where the OEM amber lens goes and that looks like a cool idea.

I'm comfortable with working on guns, but it's been awhile since I've tinkered with cars and there's this new stuff out there that I'm not used to and it confuses me... something about electrons or electronics... something like that. New names since I've been active, too.

There's also a semi-new phenomenon called 'Cheap Chinese Crap' that I'd like to stay away from.

Anyone got any thoughts on what to do / buy and from where?

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to participating in the forum. Already learned much, but didn't find anything regarding this in my search.

Steve

Hope you enjoy your new ride, as for the cloudy headlight. Buy the kit as you mentioned, Believe i got mine at Auto Zone and just keep the head light waxed like the paint ti keep them from oxidizing which causes your headlight lens to cloud up. You can also up grade with the HID bulbs if you like, but that is costly and just a simple headlight bulb upgrade will do for you after you clean up your headlight.

Here are two ways:
1st way:
Determine if the damage to the lens is on the outside or on the inside (if inside you will notice moisture and you may need to remove the lens and or drain it).

If damage is on outside of the lens first try cleaning it off with a cleaning solution like Windex. You can also use a watered down degreaser to clean off the headlight lenses. Follow this with a car polish or plastic polish available anywhere. "Turtle Wax"

Follow directions on bottle and do not apply in sunlight and be sure not to get it on black, ruberized plastic parts as it will make a white film that is very hard to get off.

You can use a rotary buffer to make this process faster and obtain better results. To make this repair last longer seal with car wax or silicone seal.

2nd way:
Mask around the headlight. Protect your car's finish with masking or painting tape. Don't use duct tape as it can ruin or lift the paint on your car

Clean the headlight lens.
You can use sandpaper, but remember the sandpaper will leave scratches thus requiring more steps to remove these scratches. First wet the sandpaper in a bucket or cup of soapy water. Spray the headlight with a commercial plastic lens cleaner or just soap and water (degreaser also works fine). Wash the lens with a clean rag or a shop towel.

Remove oxidation.
Dip one finger into a plastic polish or a compound designed for plastic. With the lens still wet, apply the polish evenly over the entire headlight. Grab a sanding sponge or a soft hand pad and take out the starting sandpaper which you decided earlier, in most cases, the 600-grit sandpaper. Fold the sandpaper in three around the Soft Hand Pad Or Sanding Sponge. Dip the sponge and the sandpaper into the soapy water. Sand, using a side to side motion, applying even pressure, periodically wetting the sponge and the sandpaper in the soapy water. (Avoid contacting paint and other surrounding surfaces.)

Sand while keeping the surface wet.
Continue the sanding process with the finer 1200 grit, then even finer 2000 grit and finally 2500 grit sandpapers to remove scratches left by the previous grit. Apply the plastic polish/ compound after sanding with the 2500-grit sandpaper. This time, let it haze, then buff/wipe off with a shop towel. Clean the lens with a plastic lens cleaner or soap and water. This is to remove any polish residue.

Apply wax (protectant) to the headlight lens.
Note, this is a preview of the finished lens, if you are not satisfied up to this point you must repeat Steps 1-5 until the lens is clear. Seal the lens with wax or silicone sealer. Fold a shop towel into four and squeeze a quarter-sized amount of wax or polish onto it and let it soak in for a few seconds. Apply to the lens using a single stroke going from left to right gradually working your way down the entire lens.

Check for clean headlights. The headlight repair is complete and you should now have clean headlights that look as good as new and restored optical clarity for safe night driving.

 

[Ironcelt]

lens update

Update: I purchased a polish kit that included an applicator that fits in a drill. Worked as advertised and made a huge difference on my wife's 2004 Solara and the 2001 Explorer the Sub replaced. Unfortunately two attempts at polishing the lens on the Sub mainly revealed the extent the INNER lens is cloudy, which I couldn't really see before. The work did make a big difference in the amount of light going downrange, but it looks like I have to replace the units to get the amount of light I want.
Thank you!
Steve