Seeing the road

**TNTtransam** · 01-10-2014

So the same as everyone else, my stock headlights suck. And I know that everyone here is going to tell me to retrofit, but I just don't have the time until summer comes around. So to be able to see for the time being what should I look into? HIDs? Better quality halogen bulbs? Thanks.

**machinegunsquid** · 01-11-2014

Retrofit.

Are the lenses all cloudy and yellowed, or is their moisture in them? If so, replace them.

HID's in a normal housing, while bright, don't offer the best usable light, and are also illegal, and dangerous to other drivers.

The Silverstar Ultra's are pretty good Halogen bulbs, but wont be anything compared to HID. (could always buy a Retrofit from someone on the forums)

**TNTtransam** · 01-11-2014

I really do want to do retros but I lack 2 important things right now: time and money. My lenses are so-so right now. And I have heard all the illegal/dangerous to other drivers talk about HID headlights that is why I am asking if it's worth it. Would HID fogs make a difference at all?

**Scottydoggs** · 01-11-2014

wet sand your head lights with like 1000 grit to 1500 to 2000, then buff with rubbing compound, they clear up real nice once the haze is cut off them.

**spazzz** · 01-11-2014

Originally Posted by TNTtransam

I really do want to do retros but I lack 2 important things right now: time and money. My lenses are so-so right now. And I have heard all the illegal/dangerous to other drivers talk about HID headlights that is why I am asking if it's worth it. Would HID fogs make a difference at all?

Well considering the cost of Ultrastars and DDM HIDs for example....the better $ deal per lumans would be HIDs.
If anybody would be glaring its the guys in the trucks with HIDs in reflectors(there is a lot of them) and that never seems to bother me.
They look at mine(DDM 6k) like they have something unique and all I can think is ..come on man your glaring

**TNTtransam** · 01-11-2014

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

wet sand your head lights with like 1000 grit to 1500 to 2000, then buff with rubbing compound, they clear up real nice once the haze is cut off them.

So that and better halogen bulbs would be sufficient for a few months?

**Scottydoggs** · 01-11-2014

it should help some if the headlights are hazed over. you can sand out scratches and nicks too if you spend the time.

a pc buffer or similar makes buffing them back to clear real easy, it can be done by hand but it takes some elbow grease.

**TNTtransam** · 01-11-2014

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

it should help some if the headlights are hazed over. you can sand out scratches and nicks too if you spend the time.

a pc buffer or similar makes buffing them back to clear real easy, it can be done by hand but it takes some elbow grease.

Alright I'll probably give this a shot. If I go the HID route, is there anything I need to know?

**nos4blood70** · 01-11-2014

That oncoming traffic will hate you, and you should feel bad. :P

**TNTtransam** · 01-11-2014

Originally Posted by nos4blood70

That oncoming traffic will hate you, and you should feel bad. :P

Hahaha i m really not trying to look like the douchebag kid racer but my light output is so bad, I m desperate.

**machinegunsquid** · 01-11-2014

Then sand and polish the lenses and go from there. It's less about people thinking your a kid racer, and more of them being blinded. Also make sure they are aimed correctly.

**TNTtransam** · 01-11-2014

Originally Posted by machinegunsquid

Then sand and polish the lenses and go from there. It's less about people thinking your a kid racer, and more of them being blinded. Also make sure they are aimed correctly.

Alright maybe next weekend if the weather is nice I will do that. Thanks for the help guys.

**machinegunsquid** · 01-11-2014

Yep, remember to WET sand the lenses, or you can scratch them up. Work your way up from 1000 to 2000 or so, then use a good rubbing compound. The compound will really bring out the shine.

**xDonny** · 01-12-2014

Mine were really weathered and cracked, so i used 80 grit on them (by hand), then sprayed some carb cleaner on them, it ate around 1/16 inch of plastic off them and i scraped it away with a putty knife, then sanded with 100, 200, 600, 800, 1500 and polished, look crystal clear now and cost about $10

**nik12937** · 01-12-2014

Get some Phillips HIR2 bulbs, trim the bases, and pop them in. That is if you have 04+ with separate low's and high's. The HIR2's got me along pretty well until I got retrofits. Hell, I still have them in the high's, same ones I bought two years ago. Those plus the Morimoto's flipping up for the high's make for some ridiculous output. Quad high's ftw.

And the trick with cleaning up stock clouded headlights is adding a UV coating when you're done cleaning up the fog. The cloudiness is oxidation caused my the UV rays from the sun, so if you don't put a UV coating on after you clean them up they'll be back like that in a year or two. That's why it tends to start up top where the most light hits the headlights.

**TNTtransam** · 01-18-2014

Bumping this thread for a follow up question. Phillips xtreme power bulbs, yay or nay?

**coolone** · 01-18-2014

I run 50w Retrofit Soruce HID's in new stock housings and never been flashed, never been pulled over. It's all about doing it right. There's a write up on how to make sure you set it up correctly so the HID lamp is positioned properly, search... Lol

**The Guz** · 01-19-2014

Originally Posted by TNTtransam

Bumping this thread for a follow up question. Phillips xtreme power bulbs, yay or nay?

I ran these for awhile until one went out. I am not using their xtreme vision. They are a good bulb. Better than silverstars. I also have a relay harness so the bulbs get full voltage to them.

**TNTtransam** · 01-19-2014

Originally Posted by The Guz

I ran these for awhile until one went out. I am not using their xtreme vision. They are a good bulb. Better than silverstars. I also have a relay harness so the bulbs get full voltage to them.

So do you think these bulbs and new clean housings would be sufficient light output?