Date:         Sat, 24 Nov 2001 15:37:29 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Cleaning the tail light too.
In-Reply-To:  <000501c1742b$7bc665a0$6601a8c0@vista1.sdca.home.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>Good call on the cleaning of the tail lights. I just cleaned my tail lights.
>You were right. They were filthy down in there. Cleaned the bulbs too. The
>bulbs were even dirtier. What a difference when you just clean the bulbs
>alone!

Dirt gets in past the eals and the bulb bases. Japanese cars are far
better in this, but not totally dirtproof either.

>Tail lights are  not as smooth as the headlights. More difficult to clean. A
>small brush would be good which I did not have. What did you use?

I use a toothbrush... ideal. But I strip the taillights right down if
the lenses come apart (haven't done my Caravelle ones yet, maybe when
it's back on the road) and clean the components individually, then
make sure they're properly sealed on reassembly.

>But how did you dry the lights? I stuck absorbent paper towels down in each
>area to absorb the excess water and plan to let them air dry when the sun
>comes out.

If the light comes apart, no problem. Otherwise violently shake them
out and swab as best you can with paper towel, then leave them to
dry. I have compressed air available...

I have tried cleaning headlights out, and have ruined one or two by
rubbing the reflector surface. This causes fine scratches which dull
the surface visibly, resulting in inferior lighting. I've also
damaged them by trying organic solvents. Wash them with something
(dishwashing detergent should be ideal) which will NOT affect
plastics etc, or you may dissolve the finish. Again, rinse very well
with almost-hot water and shake out vigorously  and air-dry, or blow
out with compressed air.