Aftermarket Headlights

[MikeCuzzy]

Hey guys,

My headlights are in need of replacement as they are completely yellowed out from years of UV damage, and no amount of cleaning up can fix them (I've tried).

Was wondering what the quality of aftermarket headlights, such as these are: HOLDEN COMMODORE VT HEADLIGHTS PAIR BRAND NEW | eBay

I've heard stories of aftermarket lights leaking, being about as bright as a candle. Just wondering if people on here can vouch for them. If they are craptastic, can someone point me in the direction of some good ones.

Cheers,
Mike.

[wrx884]

wen u say u tried cleaning them up how did u do this? there is a restoration kit that u can get that removes the old UV protection coating thats gone yellow and then they give u a solutuion 2 wipe on thats the new coating and it bring the headlights back up new again, does work really well. u can get it from nearly any auto shop but i do know repco has it.

[MikeCuzzy]

Sorry should have said, there are also scratches and chips and so forth. Sort of a bit beyond help, hence looking at new ones, but I'm cautious about the quality.

Do you know if Holden still sell new geniune ones, if not I can get some second hand ones in decentish condition.

[MR_VX]

try holmart.com.au for geniune head lights, $214.50 each tho

[MikeCuzzy]

Just had a look, love how they use the identical picture for aftermarket and geniune...

I really could get away with just buying the RH one, as the LH was replaced around 5 years ago after and accident, that one could easily be restoed fine - and is really fine except for the slightest yellowing just near the indicator.

So do I buy the genuine one at $215 plus what ever shipping to Sydney is (probs $20-40) or do I take my chances with just buying one of those aftermarket ones from the guy in the link I posted, listed for $89 and he is around the corner?

[Irukanji]

I'd imagine something like silvo(sold at Bunnings) would work for scratches and stuff like that. It'll take a bit of elbow grease followed by a buffing wheel on a drill.

[MikeCuzzy]

I've tried many things, but I am thinking get a proper resto kit for the good headlight, such as the one shown on the how to (my right light is actually better than that one, so should come up fine).

How to fix yellowing headlights

The left headlight is had it really, I have to replace it somehow, no amount of elbow grease is gonna bring it back to a decent level. My thinking is just cough up and get the genuine one, as it's a headlight - kind of an important thing.

[JSTCOZ]

I bought the Halo/Angel eye black altezza headlights. no leaking, good lights and been perfect and look alot nicer/cleaner!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Holden-VT...#ht_1291wt_960

[uniacidz]

oh they loook goooooood

[bricat]

Just pop in to a wrecker. I'm sure they have many many lights so you could pick and choose. And don't be afraid to say no. I once had a wrecker try to sell me a cracked alloy rim. Ha hahahahah

[DAKSTER]

Just on the original question.. I have aftermarket lights on my VS, they are from Cars-R-Us but they look like the same brand of light.
They are obviously cheap chinese imports I guess, but the quality seems good and I dont believe they are inferior at all to original lights. Time will tell I guess, maybe they will fall apart but I cant see how.
They are well finiished and I have experienced no problems at all with them, and they provide far better light than the original VS lights did, even with standard globes. I'd have no problem recommending them.

[uniacidz]

I had aftermarket on my ford, as DAKSTAER stated, mine were bloody excellent. No leaks and exceelnt light output and converage.

Regarding my VX SS headlights, im thinking going down that path again as my originals hazed from the gases on the inside and theres no way to clean them.

[MikeCuzzy]

Well he says 1 year warranty on all parts, I've been to this guy before for an aftermarket part and it was of decent quality, he's not a bad bloke and he's just around the corner from work. I think I'll take the chance and replace my left hand headlight and the right is fine for now.

[accentstencil]

I will be replacing my headlights with the projector type from Cars'R'Us hopefully this week so I will be selling the ones off my Caprice. They are in very good condition apart from some minor stone chips. They will fit a VT and are a much better light than the series 1 VT (I don't know about series 2) but you will need to replace both as they look different to yours.

[HSV5L]

Autosol polish and a rag on yellow head lights work good.

[Irukanji]

Protip: Don't go to pick-a-part looking for VT headlights, all faded to hell, possibly unsalvageable.

The tail lights are in mostly good condition though, only $35/piece, no cracks, no dings.

Holden quoted me $200 for a headlight,
Bursons told me they don't stock the aftermarket normal headlights, only those "fully sick ones"(as I over heard the dude say over the phone to the other dude, evidently mocking them)
Wreckers are quoting me $110, had one place quote me $90 but when we got there he didn't have it...not sure what condition the $110 lights will be, but they'd wanna be clear as glass.

[wrx884]

either way if ur 1st set of after market headlights dont cut it ur still in front if u by another set haha

[MikeCuzzy]

All good guys, accentstencil sold me the pair off his Caprice. Already installed and look AMAZING, much better than my old ones - I'll put a pic up when it's not raining... and my car is clean :P