Advice on Headlights Replacement

lx1998s · 10-04-2009

Hello everyone,

I just joined this forum and I am sure it will be a great place to exchange ideas and information.

So far I have made no modifications to my car (a 1998 LX sedan) but I think since I am not planning to buy another car for a while I can do some changes to my current car in the meantime.

Having said I would like to start with my headlights. I live in South Florida and the extreme sunlight and heat already turned my headlights into not-so-good-looking pair of eyes, if you know what I mean. So I'd like to replace them with something that can bring more light and look nicer at the same time.

I have found Anzo and in particular this model: Anzo Headlights - AZ Style Projector. Do you have a good opinion about this brand/model? I also would like to use HID but I am not sure if this is compatible with the Anzo headlights. Since I want more light I am assuming I need to buy different light bulbs but I want them to be compatible with the Anzo headlights or any other brand that you can point me to.

And to finish this message (I know it is getting kind of long) I want to ask: where can I take my car to have the headlights replaced? For mechanical things I take it to the dealer but for mods I would like to know if any of you know of a trusted shop in South Florida with reasonable prices. I am sure many of you do your own mods but in my case time and skills do not allow me to.

Thanks for info in advance!

lx1998s

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gearbox · 10-04-2009

the projector style has very poor light output at night and most of the time bad quality components and they leak water. the brightest headlights will be the oems. and you can clean up the lens easily with any number of restoration kits available. which is basically using rubbing compound to get off the oxidation, then using a polishing compound like meguiars plastx to bring the shine back. they will look almost like new.

dnice78 · 10-05-2009

don't get the projectors...they are really cheesy. I had some and they got really yellow and started to peal. I replaced them with some cheap headlights from http://depoautolights.com/ As far as the bulbs, I would go with the hyper blue just because HID's are expensive.

dnice78 · 10-05-2009

here is a pic

OCDjG · 10-05-2009

Dude sweet car, I got the same one!

Anyhow DO NOT get those projector headlights, you will regret it. I've been so lucky to own a pair myself so my recommendation is coming from first hand experience. If you want projectors its going to cost you because the only way to getting good projectors is by retrofitting oem ones into your stock housings. For more info on retrofitting just search around, there are tons of DIY threads and info on them.

I suggest what Gearbox said, simply restore your stock ones. Its actually really easy. I've restored several myself. Just get some lens polish from your local autozone and very fine sand paper (I used 1500 grit & 2000 grit). Follow the instructions and you'll be good to go.

lx1998s · 10-05-2009

Just before I comment on your replies I gotta say that I this weekend I had my brakes service and tire rotation plus regular oil change. The car has 134K miles on it and runs great! This is why now I am planning to do some mods and updates but without rushing. It is a cool machine but I guess we already know that here.

Ok, back to the topic:

Gearbox and OCDjG,

Thanks for the input regarding the projector headlights. Though I admit they look very nice it seems they are not so good. Already 2 votes against them and one coming from s hands-on experience.

My brother has a 2000 coupe and he lives in a sunny place as well. He was not so happy with the treatment of the headlights using the sand paper and the special lens polish. He is very demanding though so I might give it a try. My headlights are not totally yellow but they are bad enough to cry for replacement. You two favor the oems so I will keep that in mind.

dnice78:

After more reading I think I won't go with the hid. No need to spend $ in conversion kits. I will look into the info you send about the other headlights.
As for the light itself, yes, I plan to get as much as possible (not hid) with bulbs that can fit normally in the headlight housing.

Thanks guys for your input and I will try to participate more in other threads as well. As of now my experience with mods is nonexistent but I plan to change that with time.

lx1998s

gearbox · 10-05-2009

once you clear the oem lights and make them look better, get some philips XP H4 bulbs from www.powerbulbs.com they are the brightest you can buy legally.

lx1998s · 10-06-2009

I'll try the lens polish first. Will see how it goes.

OCDjG · 10-07-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by lx1998s

I'll try the lens polish first. Will see how it goes.

Get 1500, 1800, and 2000 grit wet sand paper. Also get your lens polish.

Assuming your lights are really bad...
1. Clean your headlights really good with soap and water, then dry.
2. Apply your first coat of lens polish/restorer. Wait for it to dry onto the lens.
3. With a clean terry cloth remove the polish just as if you were removing wax (circular motion).
4. Now for the sanding. Take the 1500 grit paper, make sure it had time to soak in water and start lightly sanding. Do not put down tremendous force, use your better judgment for this. Also be sure to constantly re-wet the paper. Go in straight horizontal lines back and forth until the entire lens is scuffed.
5. Re-apply polish and remove as before.
6. Round two of sanding. Take the 1800 grit, wet of course, and in vertical lines scuff the lens.
7. Repeat step 5.
8. Finally for the finishing touch, scuff the lens one more time using the 2000 grit paper. Go with horizontal for the direction. Then repeat step 5.

This was the method I used on all my headlights with good results. Best of luck to you.

lx1998s · 10-07-2009

OCDjG, thanks for the clear step-by-step instructions! This weekend I should have time to buy the stuff and get some pictures of headlights as they look now.

lx1998s

lx1998s · 4 Weeks Ago

Well, I bought a restoration kit from Crystal View at Wal-Mart and followed the instructions included with the kit and very similar to the procedure described by OCDjG. It worked and now the headlights look much better and I have more light at night. I am not sure now if I will replace the bulbs but you never know.

Thanks everybody for your input on this.

lx1998s

gearbox · 4 Weeks Ago

get some new bulbs in there, its a very nice increase in brightness and whiteness. some pics from my 2002 civic with H4. the xp bulbs last as long as stock and only cost around 30 shipped from powerbulbs.

stock H4

philips XP