Community Forums

jdarling10 · 10-01-2011, 12:57 AM

I have a 2002 Alpine 38.5 ft motorcoach and need to replace my headlight lens. I have tried to clean them with a special cleaner but to no avail.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Jdarling10

Renipladlo · 10-01-2011, 02:48 AM

Do a search on this forum on headlight cleaning or haze on the lens. Lots of posts about what grit paper to sand them off with.

Steve N Sal · 10-01-2011, 03:58 AM

I've given up on the cleaning kits they sell. Depending on how bad they are at least in my case I used 1200 grit then 1500 grit and finished with 2000 grit. After you wipe them off from the last grit you use they will still be quite hazy. I then use a rubbing compound by 3M and finish with a wax of your choice. I have been told to keep them looking good longer to spray them with a acrylic clearlcoat that is UV rated. I have purchased a can of it but have not done that yet. If you think yours are beyond repair you can look up a replacement set on partsgeek.com if you know the year and make of car or truck of headlight they used on your particular motorhome. Hope this helps.

SCVJeff · 10-01-2011, 04:41 AM

3M sells a complete kit with all the sandpaper, wet sand, and final foam polisher with drill chuck. If the haze is on the surface, this WILL get it out. I just did the CRV and my daughters car, which makes at least 8 with the same kit

bcbowers · 10-01-2011, 08:02 AM

FWIW - I used the 3M product and even pulled the headlights to work on them in my garage. The 3M product did a pretty good job but my son told me about the Clear View product. I used it and the results were better. The Cleasr View product claims that you shouldn't have to polish the headlights again whereas the 3M product makes no such claim. I also found the Cleasr View product easier to use. Just my opinion.

Mekanic · 10-01-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdarling10

I have a 2002 Alpine 38.5 ft motorcoach and need to replace my headlight lens. I have tried to clean them with a special cleaner but to no avail.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Jdarling10

Find out what other vehicle your headlights fit (like a 87-91 F-150??) and then find new ones on amazon or ebaymotors.

bcbowers · 10-01-2011, 11:10 AM

J - There are a lot of threads on this web site discussing Alpine headlights which are actually considered to be 1999-2003 BMW E39 type headlights.

Here's a link you shoudl check out:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f104/01-a...hts-98291.html

Triker56 · 10-01-2011, 11:31 AM

I had to keep cleaning mine about every 6 months.
Got tired of doing that. And they never got clean like new.

Replaced the pair from 1A Auto for $60 including shipping. They said bulbs not included. But mine came with all 4 bulbs.

Renipladlo · 10-01-2011, 08:03 PM

The BMW E39 Headlights are for 99-2008 and maybe 09 Alpine SE & Apex's. They are not for avalanche models. You can usually get a new set of DEPO's with angle eyes for around 378 or so. They look cool, check out "headlights" on the alpine forum, you would be amazed at all the things you can get for these things which came directly from the auto industry.

Wayne R · 10-01-2011, 08:31 PM

Anyone know of a 5 volt control unit to drive the headlight servo motors in the Depo lights? It would be nice to have electronic headlight adjustment.

takepride · 10-03-2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne R

Anyone know of a 5 volt control unit to drive the headlight servo motors in the Depo lights? It would be nice to have electronic headlight adjustment.

Wayne:

You are truly a glutton for punishment....

(tell me how they turn out...)

Lindenberg · 10-10-2011, 03:38 PM

I went to Kmart and purchased Crystal View Headlight Restorer.
http://www.myheadlight.com

It was as easy to use as the video shows and they look like new. I tried the buffing, sanding, etc... without any favorable results. This stuff does work.

jdarling10 · 10-11-2011, 01:03 AM

Thank you very much....I'm on my wat to K-Mart tomorrow.
Joe

SCVJeff · 10-11-2011, 02:51 AM

No doubt that full refinishing takes care, and obviously there are varing steps of "fog". My concern about this clear coat stuff on the headlights is that it will burn and flake off just as it does on many cars and motorhomes. Then you're right back to good ol fashioned sanding and polishing to which I get about 3 years before I need to think about doing it again.