New Headlight Maintenance

I just purchased Capa Cert TYC headlights, side marker lights, and turn signals. I have read before about sealing headlights, is this an issue with the TYC housings? Is it advisable even if it isn't necessarily an issue? I've also read about people taking the lenses off of light housings and coating the lens with clear coat to prevent fogging, is that worth it? What kind of clear coat would I use?

I'm unclear on what exactly is involved in sealing the light housings, I have read about the process of baking them to loosen the adhesive to take the lens off, is that part of what's involved in sealing them? Obviously not having moisture be able to get into the housing is preferable. What should I be looking at for if it's needed? the only housings on my truck that have ever had moisture in them are the turn signals, they were the cheap doorman replacements when one of my housings was shattered by a rock.

 

I’d just put them in. Then if you end up running into a problem. Fix the problem. Baking them ( in an oven?)or spraying them with clear coat would probably be just be a successful troll on where ever you got the information from and would highly recommend not doing such things.

 

Yes, in an oven. The baking thing was to loosen the glue that holds the lens on, so you can remove the lens. I’ve seen it discussed on here, removing the lens and clear coating it (inside and out) to prevent the fogging/hazing of the lens over time.

 

Wouldn’t that in itself fog lt (least slightly if your good at painting) in less you took multiple types of high grit sand paper and polishing it? wait to see if it actually leaks before taking it apart. Idk about what your talking about maybe.. but sounds like a troll to me. but I know there are ways to Fix problems when they start happening.

 

Aftermarket HLs are inexpensive, not worth trying to do all that IMO. I currently have the TYC Capa HLs. Been years since I've had em on, no leaks & no fogging. Neither did my prev set of aftermarket HLs. The Capa certified are a waste of money, I saw absolutely no difference vs non Capa.

When the UV coating on my HLs start peeling & then the lenses start to turn yellow, I don't bother trying to polish to get more life out of them. I just replace em cause they're cheap to replace. UV coating is just about gone so I figure I have another 6 months till they start yellowing. I've already got a set of new TYC non Capa ready to go in. Never buying Capa again.

 

I have Hella in glass. With all the bulb options they are amazing and kinda cheap. You probably don’t have to worry about bulb options in your year. But if a rock ever gets them im going to replace them with the same. Glass is better in my opinion. I went from wanting a light bar to not from the upgraded hella headlights.

 

Easiest thing would be to order some clear 3m headlight film and apply that and then run a bead of silicone around the edge where the lens meets the housing. Easy enough, hit or miss if they’re sealed properly out the box.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. I know there’s always people that over complicate things, just wanted opinions on what is good policy for new headlights. From what I’ve heard on this site the TYC housings are good to go so I’ll just pop them in and see what happens.

 

doesn’t matter what brand, I’d at least put some clear protective film over them cause in about 2-3 years the factory coating will be gin to flake from the sun. Least that’s been my experience with headlight builds using all different brands.

 

No mention of plexus on here yet. Can be bought on Amazon. Its pricey but one can lasts years. Used to clean and uv protect aviation plexiglass windows. If you use this stuff it's the last headlights you buy

 

I bought some TYC Capas and just installed them, been running fine. I use this stuff to protect, plan to clean and spray on each year.

https://youtu.be/E9NP0_nF2ak

 

Hahaha Scotty has a video about this stuff. That's great