Would Silverstar Headlight bulbs help to overcome fogged lenses?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

LibbyChantel - 22 Sep 2006 15:47 GMT

My plastic headlight lenses (95 mercury cougar) are fogged over with
age, which makes them kinda dim. I see Pep Boyz has Sylvania SilverStar
headlight bulbs on sale right now. The sylvania web site calls them
"high performance", but no real specifics. My question is, would these
bulbs be brighter and help to overcome the fogginess? I can't see to
drive at night or in the rain.

Thanks,
Libby

Reply to this Message

Mike Romain - 22 Sep 2006 15:58 GMT

Headlight bulbs are only legally allowed to be so 'bright' or to put out
a certain amount of lumens.

Lots of companies try to imply their colored or high intensity (focused)
lights make you see things better.

The 'performance' label normally just means they will burn out really
fast....

You need new lenses. There isn't much getting around that.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

> My plastic headlight lenses (95 mercury cougar) are fogged over with
> age, which makes them kinda dim. I see Pep Boyz has Sylvania SilverStar
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thanks,
> Libby

Reply to this Message

Scott Dorsey - 22 Sep 2006 16:35 GMT

>My plastic headlight lenses (95 mercury cougar) are fogged over with
>age, which makes them kinda dim. I see Pep Boyz has Sylvania SilverStar
>headlight bulbs on sale right now. The sylvania web site calls them
>"high performance", but no real specifics. My question is, would these
>bulbs be brighter and help to overcome the fogginess? I can't see to
>drive at night or in the rain.

No, in fact you will find that most of the bulbs are no brighter than the
OEM types, except for high intensity lamps which pull more current and
require upgraded wiring.

Just pull the lenses and polish them with a good plastic polish. It will
take a couple hours but if you don't have the money to replace them, it
will be just fine.
--scott

Signature

"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Reply to this Message

jeffcoslacker - 22 Sep 2006 16:44 GMT

Scott Dorsey Wrote:

> >My plastic headlight lenses (95 mercury cougar) are fogged over with
> >age, which makes them kinda dim. I see Pep Boyz has Sylvania
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

I was gonna suggest that too, I've had good luck with 3M clearcoat
polish and a machine buffer, gets that yellow cloudy off those old Ford
headlights...brighter bulbs (if you can find them) will only scatter
more on trying to pass through the lens, with little or no net gain...

Signature

jeffcoslacker

http://www.automotiveforums.com

Reply to this Message

Bob M. - 24 Sep 2006 01:36 GMT

> My plastic headlight lenses (95 mercury cougar) are fogged over with
> age, which makes them kinda dim. I see Pep Boyz has Sylvania SilverStar
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thanks,
> Libby

Libby

The only fix is to get new headlight lenses from the dealer. You may be able
to buy just the lens, or you may have to buy the entire headlamp assembly.

Much less expensive than running into someone when it's raining.

Reply to this Message

Masospaghetti - 29 Sep 2006 02:13 GMT

> My plastic headlight lenses (95 mercury cougar) are fogged over with
> age, which makes them kinda dim. I see Pep Boyz has Sylvania SilverStar
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thanks,
> Libby

Definitely get a plastic polish, you should be able to salvage the
lenses. As far as the headlights go, Silverstars actually put out _LESS_
light than a stock halogen bulb. They claim "brighter" because it's a
whiter color, but its actually projecting fewer lumens onto the road.
Oh, and they burn out about 3 times faster than a regular bulb too.

If you want better headlights, the only thing I've found worthwhile are
GE Nighthawk bulbs...they won't last as long as a regular halogen, they
actually do produce noticeably more light. Only bulbs I've been
impressed with.

For reference...here are the numbers on the H4 halogen bulb:

Stock 55w        1000 lumens    450 hour life    $7
Sylvania Silverstar    910 lumens    150 hour life    $20
GE Nighthawk        1148 lumens    300 hour life    $13

Only place I've found Nighthawks is at Walmart, strangely enough.

Hope it helps.

- J

Reply to this Message

Stephen H - 14 Oct 2006 06:20 GMT

At our dealership, the detailer will polish out some fogged up lights; so
it can be done; if you don't think you can do it, check with a auto
detailing service that works on dealership cars.

Signature

Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm

>> My plastic headlight lenses (95 mercury cougar) are fogged over with
>> age, which makes them kinda dim. I see Pep Boyz has Sylvania SilverStar
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> - J

Reply to this Message