Cleaning inside headlights

[Georgio]

There is what looks like a residue inside my headlights it doesn't affect the brightness of the lights but it really annoys me and ruins the look of the lights.

So when I was changing a bulb today I decided to clean the inside of them, however I couldnt get them open.
There are about 10 or so little clips around the edge of the headlight which are on very tight and look fragile so i didn't want to risk breaking them by forcing them out.

Has anyone ever opened up their headlights or does anyone know of any little tricks to open them up safely?

 

[blinx9900]

there is also glue holding them together, ive heard of people putting them in the oven at 250degrees F for 6minutes then they come apart easy, try at your own risk though.

 

[ManosEK9]

I think by removing those clips and the glue you don't just open the headlights but also you unseal them and this is not a good idea because they will not fit the same again like they left the factory, so it would be easier to fog and hence burn your bulbs (that's why they are so tight). But as you said you already have this fogging problem so there is no extra risk to take

 

[Georgio]

I think I'll leave it so, thanks lads.

 

[SpoonCTR]

Check out this link mate

http://www.members.aol.com/skorchedzero/diyheadlights.html

You need to put them in the oven at 300 F

 

[blinx9900]

manos brings up a good point but if your careful and have some silicone glue you should be able to get them back together easily

 

[diyek9]

here goes a good one i like to use http://www.honda-acura.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56277

 

[vtecroadhog]

friend of mine opened his ek4 headlights to paint them black inside like ek9...
used hot water to soften seal then VRY carefully and with patients u unclip one by one.

he got the job done... they look fab! jst broke on a little clip..but it is completly sealed with silicone.

 

[Dino-Spumoni]

Both these DIY's posted say 300 and 325 degrees for a short time, and you may have to put the light back in the oven to fully soften the seal, with the constant risk of melting the light!
215 degrees F for 14 minutes each will soften/melt the seal the first time every time, and theres no risk of melting the light.
When you pry them apart try to use just your hands at first, because tools have a tendancy to crack or chip lense pieces off. If that happens glue it back on with a thin layer of super glue.

I even posted a thread on here a while ago that goes through taking apart a light, along with making new gaskets, painting, and wet sanding and polishing.
http://www.ek9.org/forum/showthread.php?t=614&highlight=tail+light