Cleaning behind Headlamp Fairings
Discussion
jigs said:
Has anyone removed the headlamps to clean the inside of the headlamp fairings - condensation over the years has left the perspex and paintwork in front of the lamps a bit water-marked? If so how easy is it to do? Also can you retro-fit the larger later 100SE headlamps?
Yes, I changed the covers on my 4.0. It's not easy, the hardest part being sticking the pod back from the underneath (via the wheel arch) with yukky sealant and holding it in place with your third hand... Just take it steady, wear old clothes and have a helper.
Re the larger lamps, I've heard no, as they need a different pod as they are physically bigger.
Jigs,
Yes, me too and no the headlight can't be removed from the wheel arch. The pod has to come out and split apart (4 self tappers & sticky gasket.
Agree withy Simpo, if I'd known how 'orrible this job was I'd have left well alone as any self respecting lazy git should.
Cheers
David
Yes, me too and no the headlight can't be removed from the wheel arch. The pod has to come out and split apart (4 self tappers & sticky gasket.
Agree withy Simpo, if I'd known how 'orrible this job was I'd have left well alone as any self respecting lazy git should.
Cheers
David
jigs said:
Thanks Simpo - however I didn't want to change fairing covers just clean them from the inside - are headlight units easy to remove and refit from wheelarch?
Davidn describes it perfectly. It's not techical, just very awkward. And if you covers are scratched or you want smoked ones, it's no extra effort to change them for new.
One proviso - once you've re-fitted the pod, don't push too hard on the back of the lamp unit, or it will fall into the pod and then anyone within a mile radius is likely to know about it... if you get my drift!
Enjoy your day!
jigs said:
Thanks again Simpo and Davidn - I was afraid that was going to be the answer - I'll live with it a bit longer I think.
And I thought you were made of sterner stuff jigs! However, you have one pseudo-climactic excuse - wait until a nice warm dry day (ie June) to minimise the amount of moisture trapped in the pod when you reassemble it.
I'm in the middle of this job at the moment. I needed to reseal around the fairing, couldn't get the old sealant off without removing the whole pod and then thought I'd clean the headlights while I am at it.
Simpo and Davidn: have your lights remained bright and shiny ever since or have they started to mist up again? I'm not sure why they mist up but wondered whether I should apply more sealant around the base of the headlight to try and prevent any dust getting in from the back? Could dust be getting past the rubber boot somehow or is it all to do with condensation? Any thoughts?
Simpo and Davidn: have your lights remained bright and shiny ever since or have they started to mist up again? I'm not sure why they mist up but wondered whether I should apply more sealant around the base of the headlight to try and prevent any dust getting in from the back? Could dust be getting past the rubber boot somehow or is it all to do with condensation? Any thoughts?
If anyone is thinking of taking on the job of removing/cleaning the pods, I found a very useful article at:
http://go.to/tvrbristol
then go to 'members pages' -> 'Clives Tech tip'
Hope this helps,
Dan.
http://go.to/tvrbristol
then go to 'members pages' -> 'Clives Tech tip'
Hope this helps,
Dan.
GarryM said:
Simpo and Davidn: have your lights remained bright and shiny ever since or have they started to mist up again?
I had the car for a few years after I did the work and it seemed fine to me. However, I think you should try to seal the pods on a nice warm day so you trap as little moisture as possible when you assemble them. I left mine in the airing cupboard overnight.
what a f
ing diabolical job. First one was OK - this is going to be easy I say to myself - the second was has been an utter bManaged to clean my fairings by loosening the 3 wing nuts that hold the head lamp and letting it drop gently forward, put tape over end of the threads to stop scratching fairing. Then got her in doors as she had smaller hands to reach inside through the hole to clean the insides. Then matter of pulling head light back, re-fitting wingnuts and adjusting head light beam. A bit fiddly but a lot easier than taking the fairing out.
If you hadn't done it I'd have said that was impossible! If it had been me, the springs on the beam adjusting bolts would have "pinged" off into the pod and even if they hadn't I'd never have got the bolts back through the back of the pod.
Having said the above, the fairings on mine were not dusty/dirty. The headlamp units were and I can't see how you could clean them without dismantling. Also the seal around the outside on the wing needed redoing which I found couldn't be done effectively without doing the whole job.
If I was doing this again (
) it would take a fraction of the time...
Having said the above, the fairings on mine were not dusty/dirty. The headlamp units were and I can't see how you could clean them without dismantling. Also the seal around the outside on the wing needed redoing which I found couldn't be done effectively without doing the whole job.
If I was doing this again (
) it would take a fraction of the time...griff430 said:
If anyone is thinking of taking on the job of removing/cleaning the pods, I found a very useful article at:
http://go.to/tvrbristol
then go to 'members pages' > 'Clives Tech tip'
Hope this helps,
Dan.
This link can be found here now.http://go.to/tvrbristol
Hope this helps,
Dan.
OscarT said:
Hi Jigs (if you're still out there)
I fitted the later SE100 headlights and pods - Sportmotive do a kit - it's a great improvement both in light and appearance.
Hope you're still TVRing Jigs - some of us still miss you.
OscarT
Word on the street is Jigs has metamorphasized several times during the past year and has just re surfaced again under the name of OscarT who ever he is I fitted the later SE100 headlights and pods - Sportmotive do a kit - it's a great improvement both in light and appearance.
Hope you're still TVRing Jigs - some of us still miss you.
OscarT
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