Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Clean Condensation From Headlight Lenses

Cracks in the headlight assembly can cause condensation.


Driving at night can be pretty tough when you have a leaking headlight that creates condensation around the bulb. If the problem gets bad enough, you could end up needing to replace the soaked bulbs in your headlight assembly. Getting the moisture off the lense itself is a fairly simple job. But as you take care of that problem, it's best to also address the root cause of the condensation in the first place, by keeping the moisture from getting into the lens.


Instructions


1. Remove the headlight assembly from the car. This typically involves unscrewing several screws on the face of the assembly and several more under the hood of the car. Since changing a headlight is a common do-it-yourself job, most owner's manuals include this information. As you remove the assembly, make note of any cracks in the plastic of the assembly or any nicks in the rubber that surrounds the assembly.


2. Place the barrel of a hair dryer into the open hole in your headlight assembly. Turn the hair dryer on medium heat and blow into the assembly until all moisture droplets disappear. Take care not to blow on one area too long so you don't melt the plastic. As you do this, take note of any places where air is escaping from the assembly. These are locations that probably allow moisture into the headlight area. When the assembly appears dry, place it in a warm location to help it dry out a bit more.


3. Seal up any cracks in the plastic assembly by placing a dab of clear silicone over the affected area. If possible, seal the cracks from the inside of the assembly for better appearance. Wipe up any excess silicone with a wet towel.


4. Place the assembly back into its location on the car. Before you slide the assembly all the way into its location, place a thin line of silicone around the area where the assembly meets the car. Slide the assembly in place and replace the screws. Use a wet towel to wipe off any silicone that drips onto the outside of the assembly.







Tags: headlight assembly, your headlight assembly, cause condensation, cracks plastic, cracks plastic assembly, hair dryer