2001 Mustang headlight issue

My girlfriend has a 2001 Mustang. The passenger side headlight has become
very fogged & dirty. I tried cleaning the inside, but the grime seems to be
in-between two layers of plastic? Also, the headlight does not appear to be
designed to disassemble.

Is this a common problem for Mustangs? (She got the car used.) Is
replacement the only option? It seems replacement headlights can be had for
around $90 USD.

TIA

Tim

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If you bring lions to your home,
They'll want to stay for dinner. - Siegfried Javotnik

On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 22:33:16 -0400, "Tim Mayberry"
> wrote:

>My girlfriend has a 2001 Mustang. The passenger side headlight has become
>very fogged & dirty. I tried cleaning the inside, but the grime seems to be
>in-between two layers of plastic? Also, the headlight does not appear to be
>designed to disassemble.
>
>Is this a common problem for Mustangs? (She got the car used.) Is
>replacement the only option? It seems replacement headlights can be had for
>around $90 USD.
>
>TIA
>
>Tim

That's interesting. My daughters 2001 headlights are turning to ****.
My 99 headlights are still in great shape. I suspect whoever got the
contract to supply them in 2001 didn't use very good materials. Only
real option if you want them to put out full light output is to
replace them.

there are detail shops that can wet sand then reseal for about $50 a
lens. We do it here at my shop for $100 set.

The haze is on the outside in 90% of the lenses.

I was told AFTER i replaced my headlamps that brake fluid can be used to
clean the buildup inside. however, i have not had to try it since i was told
AFTER i replaced my lamps.
also, mine are glass. its not an uncommon problem. the sun and the head from
the bulb back the inside of headlamps. especially here in florida.

On 23 Jun 2005 14:05:39 -0700, "Hooked 87"
> wrote:

>there are detail shops that can wet sand then reseal for about $50 a
>lens. We do it here at my shop for $100 set.
>
>The haze is on the outside in 90% of the lenses.

There is no way you will ever make them as clear as they are when new.
I'm just guessing based on my own experience but I'd bet when you
finish wet sanding them they only put out about 85% of the light that
new lenses would put out. And from what I heard, which could be
wrong, there is a outer layer of UV resistant material on the lenses
that you are sanding off so they will not hold up nearly as long as a
new set would (which isn't saying much). The only real long term
solution, if you want to see at night with headlights that start out
**** poor anyway, is to replace them.