Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-15-2003, 09:32 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 375
can you clean the headlights/reflector from within?

Hi everybody,

I noticed a light film on the inside of the headlights. According to the CD, the reflector and the front glas should be separable. Did anybody ever take these apart for cleaning? Do you need to take the unit out first? Or should I try a "giant Q-tip" and go through the opening for the bulb? Its a '87 420 SEL (W126)

Thanks for your help.

Reinhard Kreutzer

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-16-2003, 12:39 AM
MikeTangas's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 4,430
You can only split the lens from the body if they are euro lights. DOT lights have asolid glass unit, that you could clean through the bulb hole if you had a big enough Q-tip. But if they aren't euros you aren't going to get the inside very clean.

Another arguement for euro lights.
__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-16-2003, 08:26 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 375
Thanks Mike,

I start with a Q-tip that I'll make out of a wooden stir, some foam to give the tip some body and cotton. See how it works with Windex.

Regards

Reinhard Kreutzer
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-16-2003, 08:59 AM
JCE's Avatar
JCE JCE is offline
Down to the Wear Bars
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: So Kalifornia
Posts: 2,189
You might want to be careful with windex or any other cleaners around the 'silvering' of the reflector, and clear out any cleaning vapors - the reflector coatings can be real fragile if they aren't of the chrome plated variety, and can be easily scratched or have the surfacxes react with cleaning solutions. I would be inclined to start off cleaning with distilled water (damp, not wet) and see how well that worked out before moving up to something more harsh. Just a thought.
__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-16-2003, 10:12 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 375
before...
Attached Thumbnails
can you clean the headlights/reflector from within?-before-driver-1.jpg  
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-16-2003, 10:14 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 375
after...
Attached Thumbnails
can you clean the headlights/reflector from within?-after-driverside.jpg  
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-16-2003, 11:23 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 375
Thanks JCE,

I made the Q-tip (see attached) and used a glass cleaner only moistening it a bit. The foam inside and the cloth held the liquid quite well without releasing a single drop. The driver side glass was really dirty. I went in a second time with only dry cloth to wipe off any moisture.

It sparkles now, except for the very edges. The tip should be about 10 inches, if longer, the back will interfere with the ABS plumbing behind the driver side lamp.

Now I only need to check the alignment.
Attached Thumbnails
can you clean the headlights/reflector from within?-tools.jpg  
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-16-2003, 11:31 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,303
"You can only split the lens from the body if they are euro lights. DOT lights have asolid glass unit, that you could clean through the bulb hole if you had a big enough Q-tip."

Our '91 190E has DOT lights, and they have only a glass lens - the reflector/housing is plastic. However, they are bonded together with what I assume is some sort of RTV silicone. I considered using an exacto knife to separate them, but didn't know if anyone has done this? Since I couldn't afford to have the vehicle inoperable long enough for the new sealant to dry, I did not attempt it. There appear to be alignment interlocks so reassembly would not be difficult, though.

Instead, with the assemblies off the car, I washed them by sloshing non-spotting warm dishwasher solution inside, then rinsing and drying in the SoCal sun (and a hair dryer). I noted while doing this that the sealant wasn't intact - some water dripped out. Maybe this is how the dust gets in, since the bulb holder is sealed.

I have not investigated higher-wattage bulbs for this unit since the reflector is plastic.

Steve

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:43 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page