Best resolve for poor headlights in a BK Legacy...

[PhoenixDownVII]

My 98 GT Sedan and my current 96 L Wagon both have very poor visibility at night. My GT's headlights were in good shape, but it just didn't light up the road well. Several times my friends would be like "There's a ton of deer here, keep your brights on!" and I'd have to verify "Umm...they ARE on...!"

My new L Wagon has catarax (yellow mist) which makes matters worse. Before going to buy new/used stock lights is there a better alternative? What's the most cost effective way for better lighting? I don't want huge hella fog/rally lights or anything. But should I get a cleaner stock pair and put a better bulb in?

Any recommendations are surely appreciated...by both me and the deer I avoid.

[Reason]

auto stores like Autozone and Pepboys have a head light kit. Depending how bad your headlights on just plastic polish and some time and you can clear them up a bit. For pitted lens sanding them with 600-800-1000 grit sand paper then polish it up. Also get yourself some nice bulbs. I used silver stars, PIAA and a few other name brand bulbs but by far Raybrig was the best. I may be offering bulbs to the members here. I got a set for myself to see how they are. The stock lights I have right now are shit. But clearing up the lens is a good start. There may even be a write up in the DIY section here.

[sharky nrk]

I cleared mine up the other day and it helped dramatically. Unfortunately my adjustments LandR on the pass and UandD on the drivers are busted - so my lights still suck - alot :shock:

[Reason]

Sharky brings up a good point, check the alignment of the beams on a wall or a garage door.

[StatGSR]

wetsanding will improve them to a lesser state of suckyness. its not that hard just time consuming. if u want to do that, u will need atleast 800 and 1500 grit wetsanding paper. i just finished mine a week ago and i would really recomend going up to 2000 grit, then using a good rubbing compound like 3m, and following that with a good wax job.

even so my output isnt amazing, just much improved. im planning on picking up some luminics bulbs in their "krypton" size which is supposedly larger and brighter than standard size bulbs, but only time will tell if thats going to improve it that much.

[PhoenixDownVII]

Thanks for the advice guys. Maybe I'll clean them up this weekend and put other bulbs in and see how that will suffice.

StatGSR: A GSR and a Legacy eh? I had to give up my LS integra for this Legacy Wagon, which is quite the difference. However, it's so I have a nice big, winterable daily backup to the upcoming miata purchase next year. Can't wait. AutoX'd my Mr2, Rx7, and found the miata's to be the funnest to drive.

[Reason]

These were done with 600-8-1000 grit and mothers plastic polish

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/11/cb7bumperlight-1.jpg

7 year old corners
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/11/cb7corner-1.jpg

[Plays_with_Toys]

If you want to replace the headlights at some point get the JDM projectors. Seriously the best lighting upgrade you can get besides hella 500 foglights. I say that because, driving lights are not legal to run with oncoming traffic. The hella 500 fogs are ok, and actually projected further wider and more intense than my stock 96 headlights which are supposed to be the "better" US headlight.

The JDM projectors are worth their weight in gold and I can only imagine what level HID conversions take them to.

[PhoenixDownVII]

Well I went out and bought a Headlight Cleaner kit and better headlights and it worked out pretty well! Came with sand paper, cleaner, etc. Thanks for the advice!