Headlight Lenses

ScottNW/Ohio

ScottNW/Ohio

Senior Member
I'm restoring my headlights on my '31
The orignial glass lenses are very good, but kind of yellowed - and suggestions how to clean these up without scratching them or damaging them?
I'd really like to use these rather than buy replacements
Thanks
 
Original lenses are always preferable. I don't know if you can get that yellow out. You can look around, either through your local Model A club, or an auto flea market, such as Hershey.
Last resort, you can buy brand new lenses that are very close to original in appearance.
Rog
 
ScottNW/Ohio said:
I'm restoring my headlights on my '31
The orignial glass lenses are very good, but kind of yellowed - and suggestions how to clean these up without scratching them or damaging them?
I'd really like to use these rather than buy replacements
Thanks
Click to expand...

I use a product called Lime-A Way, can be found in the hosehold section at the grocery store or perhaps at home under the kitchen sink. Soak the lens using a shallow container. I suspect the product is citric or phosphoric acid based as I get the same results using metal prep solutions containing those chemicals.

Rainmaker Ron
 
USA lenses are made of slightly yellow glass,English lenses are the lovely violet glass like a "T" lens .Repros are made out of clear white milk bottle glass,not pretty IMHO. Original lenses as long as they are clean thats the colour they will stay as the glass is impermeable etc etc.

John in cool cloudy morning England.
 
If the soaking methods don't work, go to the household cleanser section of the grocery store and get a can of Bob-Ami powder cleaner (yellow can with a chicken). Mix some with water to a watery toothpaste consistency and rub with a cloth on the glass. Bon-Ami won't scratch the glass, also works great for a deep cleaning of the windshield before your Aquapel/Rain-x application.

If the Bon-Ami does not clean the glass, it is chemically stained and can't be cleaned
 
Could some of your problem be that the old lenses have slightly roughened inner and outer surfaces? I had this problem and using some sort of glass polish improved the light transmission.
 
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