s14 Zenki Headlights + Naptha = Win

[mike13]

After trying all kinds of polishes to clean my headlights, i decided to try naptha (lighter fluid). Ive used this to clean guitar parts before, and figured it might work to get the specks of grime off of my lights. check out the pics:
1.drivers side head and corner lamp. Corner lamp wasnt affected as much, and still had a smooth surface.
http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/headlights1.jpg
2. passenger side with no flash on the camera.
http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/headlights2.jpg
3. drivers side head on. Notice nicks in the paint from high speed driving and road debri.
http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/headlights3.jpg
4. closeup showing damage to headlights from highway driving.
http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/headlights4.jpg
in the last picture, you can see the tiny abrasions, scratches and nicks from road debri that the dirt was stuck in.
This may help with the yellow and dirty looking lights on your 240!

[mrmephistopheles]

that looks like the bomb-diggity
got any 'before' pics?

[mike13]

before pics... not a perfect comparison due to different lighting etc. You can definately see a layer of grime causing discoloration. The second pic is even after using the Aluminum polish as directed in the FAQ on 240sxforums.com. I took the first pic before i even bought the car.
1.
http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/headlightsbefore1.jpg
2
http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/headlightsbefore2.jpg

[Burmonster]

Looks like you found a very good way to clean those lights up.

[aznpoopy]

hey, thanks man. i might try that this weekend. :bow:

[natedizzle]

hey dude how did you actually do it? as in steps ive been tryin to get that crap off and i just cant do it! Where exactly do you get this napth. thanks-nate

[s14xman]

Look nice and clean now!

[mrmephistopheles]

naptha - same as zippo fluid

[natedizzle]

now is this yellow stuff on the inside or the outside? thanks-nate

[Sanchi]

Most of it should be on the out side!! but that is a great improvment i gota try that this week!!!

[Sliding_S14]

any trick to getting inside the headlight easier? damn plastic piece does not want to come off for nothin.

[Sliding_S14]

just need to know what temp i need and the time length that they should be in the oven.

[holisticbeatz]

Niice write-up and pictures. I think I'll pick up a bottle this weekend and give it a try.

[Sliding_S14]

alright i havent cleaned the inside yet,
but got the temp/time etc. 250-300 for 5-7mins
i did figure away to extremely clean the outside.

step1. Wiped dust off plastic cover.
step2. Took Zippo fluid to outside cover.
step3. Applied toothpaste with toothbrush
and scrubbed each for 15mins.
step4. Used wet rag whipe toothpaste off.
step5. Applied more zippo fluid.
step6. Then i used Tile cleaner, kills ants
figured it would eat the brown crap off.
step7. Applied Original ArmorAll
step8. Final application, Used Meguires Bug/Tar remover
its like a cleaning wax, gives the headlights a
nice glossy shine.

[Anubis]

I used metal polish and wd-40 on my old s14 and it made them look almost like glass.

[Fibercus]

Going to give it a try, I bet id take the most yellow headlight award anyday. Ill post before and after pics tomorrow, really gives the front end a clean look

Thanks for posting the info :)

[old_s13]

Coming from someone who works with plastics and lights, I would say the SOLUTION for this yellow-headlight problem is quite simple: keep your headlights clean and be sure to occasionally give them a nice polishing.

This rule of thumb applies to the paint on your car as well, the plastic on the headlamps DONT require that much more work. If you detail your car once or twice a year, be sure to go over the headlights at the same time.

I wouldnt recommend lighter fluid, but hey whatever you guys wanna do.. its your risk. Some plastics dont react well to certain chemicals, so you have to be cautious, thats all.

There are many plastic cleaners that will work wonders on the S14 headlamps. A good polishing every 6 months is more than sufficient. Just be sure to quickly clean them every time you wash your car.

[mike13]

old_s13 how about some reccomendations?

[mike13]

also, the solution is not "to keep them clean". That would be the solution for keeping them from yellowing. the lights are already yellow, or else there would be no reason to use drastic measures such as rubbing with naptha. Now that the yellowing is removed, i can use more traditional methods for cleaning them. overall your post provided no useful information. Not up to your usual standards!!!

;)

[Sliding_S14]

I can actually see down the road at night now.
I dont recommend a dremmel (even with soft tip)
and plastic/metal polish. thanks mike your post
actually got my .ass up and cleaned them. btw used
roomates toothbrush and it was his zippo fluid :boink:

[JuJuBee]

I juss tried naptha today but only used it for about 2 minutes each light which was obviously not enough time. the thing that is hard is that zippo fluid evaporates very quickly when it hits the air so you gotta use a lot

i also picked up some mothers aluminum polish and ill try that out tomorrow

[old_s13]

Originally posted by mike13
also, the solution is not "to keep them clean". That would be the solution for keeping them from yellowing. the lights are already yellow, or else there would be no reason to use drastic measures such as rubbing with naptha. Now that the yellowing is removed, i can use more traditional methods for cleaning them. overall your post provided no useful information. Not up to your usual standards!!!

;)

Quit yer bitching. First off, I wouldnt mind posting my opinion but it seems so many mothafukas on this forum seem to think they are gods gift when it comes to lighting. :) NOT that I think I am, all I know is that my brother who JUST *happens* to have an S14, has CLEAR headlights. So, regardless of what I think about myself, or what people think of me, his headlights are clear -- thanks to me.

Second, it was JUST the other day when someone posted PLENTY of suggestions as to how to clean S14 headlights and what polishes to use. SEARCH my friends, SEARCH.

But Mike, we're a bunch of pussies and we need everything HANDED to us.

No problem, thats what I am here for.. to help the less fortunate. As someone already mentioned, WD40 or any "goo-off" is good for removing any sticky substances or surface contamination. From there on, feel free to polish the lamps with any headlight polishing. They sell plenty of multi-step polishes that do the job. Talk to your local plastic vendor, they should be able to supply these for you. You can also use high-speed polishers with plastic polishing compound, but thats my thing.. most of you guys dont need polishes THAT powerful unless the headlight is FUKKED.

-m