Two of my four lenses have become very cloudy on the inside. Too cloudy to transmit much light. Hella suggested soaking them in rubbing alcohol for 24 hours or so. I have now done this twice with no effect. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Cloudy Hella 4000 lenses
- Thread starter dcaven
- Start date
Doesn't the glass come apart from the metal housing? I thought it did. I thought there were 4 screws holding the metal retaining ring on.
No. The lense and the housing are one piece. No way to scrub the inside of the lens. Soaking the thing in alcohol is supposed to fix it but did not in my case.
I have noticed this with many of the BMWs replacement lights for the older cars. It seems to happen more with the ones that have the glass bonded to the housing with a silicone type adhesive when they are constructed. The adhesive outgasses and clouds the back of the glass. The older ones were bonded with a more rigid adhesive and I never really noticed the issue with them. When those did get cloudy with age and use: they could be washed with alcohol as mentioned. The newer ones need to be wiped and then final clean with the alcohol. Some people have tried BBs in the alcohol to agitate and clean the glass but I have found that it is best to remove the bulb mounting flange from the light and use paper towels and chopsticks to wipe the glass. The bulb mounting flange is generally tabbed to the reflector and the seam is caulked over. this can be removed to gain better access to the inside of the light.
I put in Hella's 130 watt bulbs. Was out yesterday morning and with the lights directed correctly I'm getting a tremendous amound of light even with the two cloudy lenses. I've decided to replace the lenses as nothing I've done to fix them has worked. I was amazed yesterday. I had been considering Hella's large led lights for the winch bumper but honestly don't think I need anything more than the new lenses. The 4000's are pretty awesome.
That's the issue. The overwattage bulbs will make the sealant outgas. I'd swap back, the 100w is plenty bright aimed bright.
I have new in the box Hella lights that have been shelved for 5 years that have fogged and have never even had a bulb installed.