Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: nickahill on 11 October 2008, 12:16:16

Title: Headlights poor
Post by: nickahill on 11 October 2008, 12:16:16

The headlights on my '96 Omega are really poor, it seems the lenses have become discoloured/tarnished.  Is this a common fault with age?  Are there any easy solutions to clean them or perhaps replace.  I have just upgraded the bulbs to try and makes some small gains.


Many thanks

Nick

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: JonArgraig on 11 October 2008, 12:21:28

Quote

The headlights on my '96 Omega are really poor, it seems the lenses have become discoloured/tarnished.  Is this a common fault with age?  Are there any easy solutions to clean them or perhaps replace.  I have just upgraded the bulbs to try and makes some small gains.


Many thanks

Nick

A upgrade to the mini face lift projector lens, or go full hog and go HID

The improvement is immense

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: ngrainqey on 11 October 2008, 12:29:08

Quote

Quote

The headlights on my '96 Omega are really poor, it seems the lenses have become discoloured/tarnished.  Is this a common fault with age?  Are there any easy solutions to clean them or perhaps replace.  I have just upgraded the bulbs to try and makes some small gains.


Many thanks

Nick

A upgrade to the mini face lift projector lens, or go full hog and go HID

The improvement is immense

i agree, i'v not got projectors on mine and you notice the difference.
it's like going from candle light in a dark cave to having a massive torch and turning it on! specially with high beam! lol

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: FT on 11 October 2008, 12:38:45

My n-reg omega had its headlamps replaced because it wasn't illuminating enough...got a replacement from the scrap yard and now they work a treat. Think the previous owner replaced them at or around 95K.  

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: Pete Elite on 12 October 2008, 00:53:15

 Hi Nick,
           I've just had to replace mine on my 96 Elite with Projector type Headlamps due to poor illumination(failed MOT)and has made a significant difference and was a very easy plug-n-play fit :).

  You won't be able to place a wanted ad in the Sale & Wanted section of the Forum until you have accumilated 250 posts unfortunately :(.

  You can probably find some on eBay for a reasonable price as I did :).

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: Proz on 12 October 2008, 02:04:12

Common on pre facelifts before the projectors ..... mine on my 97 P reg were virtually useless    :'( .....

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: MutantCav on 12 October 2008, 08:52:57

About £100 on ebay for a pair of aftermarket projectors but make sure you ask that they are definitely RHD before buying...

About £100 a pair for genuine second hand vaux ones, sometimes cheaper...

Either way, straight swap, no changes required...just undo the old ones and plug in the new ones :)

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: chartz on 12 October 2008, 13:32:08

I thouroughly removed the yellow coating with Brasso, then I used some paint polisher. It took me three hours but the result is near-perfect... See photo ! Oh, and that was two years ago !

(http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/3906/pict0135jpg1ut9.th.jpg) (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0135jpg1ut9.jpg)(http://img48.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif) (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: tmx on 13 October 2008, 10:12:21

can only go on what my 99 3.0 MV6 is but its equiped with Hella HIDS i have noticed that the plastic lense appears to be removable like the carello f/l vectra b lights

i was going to attempt to remove the lenses and try polishing em up on a buffing wheel

i have tried TCUT and auto glymn to no avail!

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 13 October 2008, 10:47:22

Try 2000 grid sanding with water and use a polish after..

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: chartz on 13 October 2008, 14:52:50

Yes, that should also work. But believe me, it's a real lengthy process, the coating is really thick—I'd say one tenth of a millimetre—and you need loads of patience !
But then it costs nothing !

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: hotrod222278 on 13 October 2008, 16:17:55

My 'M' plate estate has the old style lenses, this year would not pass the MOT.

Polished the with brasso, hey presto!!! It passed Took me 1/2 hour each side. :y

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: chartz on 13 October 2008, 19:31:29

THE way to go. Don't buy anything until you've tried this. See my photo up above.

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: willyboy on 15 October 2008, 18:40:57

At the York meet Ian_D  really cleaned mine up using rubbing compound /splash of water with a buffer- sander power tool  by hand it takes ages  but with a buffer tool  pretty quick.. :y

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: sev on 15 October 2008, 18:46:56

Quote

At the York meet Ian_D  really cleaned mine up using rubbing compound /splash of water with a buffer- sander power tool  by hand it takes ages  but with a buffer tool  pretty quick.. :y

so imagine brasso on a buffing wheel !  :y

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: iainb on 15 October 2008, 21:22:13

I did my 97 estate lamps last weekend with brasso and im realy pleased with the result. ;)

Title: Re: Headlights poor
Post by: gazza998 on 17 October 2008, 00:22:39

hi having read about your headlights last night i used some t cut on mine and they have come up like new. cheers gary (working hard on the night shift) lol ;D hope my boss is not on here :-?