On Mar 13, 2:54*pm, wrote:
On Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:54:22 -0700 (PDT), spamtrap1888





wrote:
On Mar 12, 7:37*pm, "Arfa Daily" wrote:
Question for our leftpondian cousins. Do you have trouble with DIY fitted
headlamp bulbs over there ?

Back in the day, we had simple bulbs that fitted in a simple holder, that
fitted easily into the readily accessible reflector assembly. Then we went
over to sealed beam units. Remember them ? Very expensive headlight-shaped
bulbs. Still relatively easy to change though, usually fitting into a frame
that carried the alignment screws, so no immediate realignment required.

What I miss most about the sealed beams is their glass lenses. Now I
have cloudy plastic ones. Which were thoughtfully not designed to be
consumer replaceable. The cost of new headlight assemblies is
prohibitive.

There is a better solution. *Go down to your local automotive supply
house and ask for a headlight lens restoration kit. *They run from $15
to $20. *Sears has one for $40. *Or you can go to Walmart and pick up
a kit and a 12-pack of your favorite beverage. *You'll deserve it
after polishing the headlight lens.

PlainBill



Now we've gone back to individual bulbs. Except there's now no holder as
such, and the engine compartment is so full that you can barely get to the
back of the reflector bowl. On top of that, they have put alignment tabs on
the bulbs, and that's where the trouble really starts. I am sick to death of
every second car on the road having one headlight pointing into the ditch,
and the other pointing at the moon. Bad enough when they are coming at you
from the other direction, but really annoying when you've got one behind
you. It seems that this is caused by people trying to fit their own
replacement bulbs, and not getting the tab to line up properly with the cut
out in the reflector, making the bulb sit at an angle. They then manage to
force at least one side of the metal clip in, and bodge the cap back on
behind it. Friend of mine that works in a garage says that they see it every
day. Coppers here are not interested in such things any more, even though
having defective lighting on a car is illegal.

My car's maker strongly discourages DIY replacement, to the point of
not giving the bulb part numbers in the owners manual. Although
supposedly they are more concerned about amateurs leaving fingerprints
on the bulb, which will lead to cracking and "POOF!"

On my car, the passenger side is easy: remove a plastic cover by
popping a bail, then remove the bulb by popping another bail. The
"base" is keyed to go in only one way, then swing the bail back to
secure it, replace the plastic cover and away you go. I haven't
noticed any mis-aiming.

The driver's side is harder because the battery limits the clearance.

So do you get the same problems over there now ? Is it similarly illegal
(some states, all states ??) and are you likely to get pulled for it as you
have dedicated highway police ?

I see enough cars with only one headlight lit that I have to say
enforcement is lax.

These are the 'plastic' experts we've used for years:

http://www.tapplastics.com
TAP Plastics, San Leandro HQ 510 357 3755

TAP Plastics (408) 292 8685
1212 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95125

TAP Plastics Inc (408) 265-6400
1008 Blossom Hill Rd # F
San Jose, CA 95123

TAP Plastics Inc (650) 962-8430
312 Castro St
Mtn View, CA 94041

They have polish systems to 'recover' CD's and DVD's with video