new sleek kit
05-22-10, 02:48 PM
#101
right now i am planning on the $700 range for halogen, and $1500-$1600 range for HID.
now the reason for the price difference is the cost difference for the headlight unit.
now because i know people will ask, yes you can buy the halogen and put in an aftermarket hid bulb for a lot cheaper.
No, this option is not DOT/SAE legal. and the light pattern would be different as well.
the halogen reflector is different from the HID reflector, while they look the same they are not. in talking to David Hayes, the halogens are still drastically better than stock. though the HIDs are even better yet.
you will get what you pay for and i will also offer some type of warranty as well.
if anyone has any questions feel free to ask, i encourage anyone with input to say something as it could help make a better experience for everyone.
now the reason for the price difference is the cost difference for the headlight unit.
now because i know people will ask, yes you can buy the halogen and put in an aftermarket hid bulb for a lot cheaper.
No, this option is not DOT/SAE legal. and the light pattern would be different as well.the halogen reflector is different from the HID reflector, while they look the same they are not. in talking to David Hayes, the halogens are still drastically better than stock. though the HIDs are even better yet.
you will get what you pay for and i will also offer some type of warranty as well.
if anyone has any questions feel free to ask, i encourage anyone with input to say something as it could help make a better experience for everyone.
05-22-10, 09:16 PM
#102
Have you given thought to a glass lense?
HID lights usually tend to eat plastic lenses, they turn yellow and flake/ haze
This is a common problem for Volvo, Mazda, Porsche, & other auto manufacturers that have OEM HID headlights.
Or at least make extra lenses available for purchase.
Or make the lense material thick enough to be able to be wet
sanded & polished.
HID lights usually tend to eat plastic lenses, they turn yellow and flake/ haze
This is a common problem for Volvo, Mazda, Porsche, & other auto manufacturers that have OEM HID headlights.
Or at least make extra lenses available for purchase.
Or make the lense material thick enough to be able to be wet
sanded & polished.
05-23-10, 07:08 AM
#103
Have you given thought to a glass lense?
HID lights usually tend to eat plastic lenses, they turn yellow and flake/ haze
This is a common problem for Volvo, Mazda, Porsche, & other auto manufacturers that have OEM HID headlights.
Or at least make extra lenses available for purchase.
Or make the lense material thick enough to be able to be wet
sanded & polished.
HID lights usually tend to eat plastic lenses, they turn yellow and flake/ haze
This is a common problem for Volvo, Mazda, Porsche, & other auto manufacturers that have OEM HID headlights.
Or at least make extra lenses available for purchase.
Or make the lense material thick enough to be able to be wet
sanded & polished.
05-23-10, 02:02 PM
#104
That's what I thought also.
I don't think it's heat related, I think it's a light spectrum issue.
Kinda like when stuff gets left out in the sun, it fades (because of UV damage)
I'm just trying to throw ideas out there.
On a lot of the volvos that I have seen, the damage is through the entire lense, not just the outer surface.
+ glass lenses would make this kit world class.
I don't think it's heat related, I think it's a light spectrum issue.
Kinda like when stuff gets left out in the sun, it fades (because of UV damage)
I'm just trying to throw ideas out there.
On a lot of the volvos that I have seen, the damage is through the entire lense, not just the outer surface.
+ glass lenses would make this kit world class.
05-23-10, 04:05 PM
#105
That's what I thought also.
I don't think it's heat related, I think it's a light spectrum issue.
Kinda like when stuff gets left out in the sun, it fades (because of UV damage)
I'm just trying to throw ideas out there.
On a lot of the volvos that I have seen, the damage is through the entire lense, not just the outer surface.
+ glass lenses would make this kit world class.
I don't think it's heat related, I think it's a light spectrum issue.
Kinda like when stuff gets left out in the sun, it fades (because of UV damage)
I'm just trying to throw ideas out there.
On a lot of the volvos that I have seen, the damage is through the entire lense, not just the outer surface.
+ glass lenses would make this kit world class.
05-23-10, 06:34 PM
#106
its between polycarbonate (Lexan) and acrylic (Plexiglas). i figured on about 1/8 inch is pretty close to OEM thickness. i will have replacements available, i was gunna try to offer some sort of a 3m film uv film, it will also offer protection from rocks and road debris.
05-23-10, 06:45 PM
#107
That's what I thought also.
I don't think it's heat related, I think it's a light spectrum issue.
Kinda like when stuff gets left out in the sun, it fades (because of UV damage)
I'm just trying to throw ideas out there.
On a lot of the volvos that I have seen, the damage is through the entire lense, not just the outer surface.
+ glass lenses would make this kit world class.
I don't think it's heat related, I think it's a light spectrum issue.
Kinda like when stuff gets left out in the sun, it fades (because of UV damage)
I'm just trying to throw ideas out there.
On a lot of the volvos that I have seen, the damage is through the entire lense, not just the outer surface.
+ glass lenses would make this kit world class.
i will do some homework on the issue, but the c6 vette has a plastic lens with HIDs, havent seen any issues, but they are not that old. i have had the problem with some of my care none of which are HID, so i assumed that it was just weathered and sun damaged.
05-23-10, 08:30 PM
#108
I'm not sure if you are talking about the cloudiness or foginess on the inside of the lights or just what happens to old lights on the outside.
When its on the outside, its just because they've been scratched up and the sun has beat on them, all you have to do is polish them and it restores them to normal (you can get a 3M kit at autozone, or do it yourself with sand paper and then a buffer)
When its on the inside, its usually moisture related. You can see this on some stock fd tailights that have been taken apart and modified to look like JDM. You need to seal them really well so no moisture can get in.
When I had my G35 coupe, a common mod was to take apart the headlights and paint the inside of the housings, after that, some had the moisture problem. In order to avoid this, your kit needs to be completely sealed or left wide open in the back. The evo-R kit doesn't fog because there is no back to the unit, so if it gets wet under the clear cover, the water just evaporates (it leaves dirt though and is extremely hard to clean, which is why a sealed kit would be better). To seal the clear cover on, you can get headlight glue, I got mine from the nissan dealership. But this means that your buckets for the projectors need to have backs on them and then bulkhead connectors for the wires (or seal the wires where they pass through the bucket).
When its on the outside, its just because they've been scratched up and the sun has beat on them, all you have to do is polish them and it restores them to normal (you can get a 3M kit at autozone, or do it yourself with sand paper and then a buffer)
When its on the inside, its usually moisture related. You can see this on some stock fd tailights that have been taken apart and modified to look like JDM. You need to seal them really well so no moisture can get in.
When I had my G35 coupe, a common mod was to take apart the headlights and paint the inside of the housings, after that, some had the moisture problem. In order to avoid this, your kit needs to be completely sealed or left wide open in the back. The evo-R kit doesn't fog because there is no back to the unit, so if it gets wet under the clear cover, the water just evaporates (it leaves dirt though and is extremely hard to clean, which is why a sealed kit would be better). To seal the clear cover on, you can get headlight glue, I got mine from the nissan dealership. But this means that your buckets for the projectors need to have backs on them and then bulkhead connectors for the wires (or seal the wires where they pass through the bucket).
05-24-10, 07:37 AM
#110
I don't think so Dan. HIDs run cooler than halogens so I just don't see this will be an issue. With the halogens though, they are hotter and could over time cause the plastic to age I would think from the heat. But that is what replacement parts are for right? And if you use the halogens for high beams only, I just don't think they will be on long enough to cause an issue.
05-24-10, 10:50 AM
#111
Spend some time walking around used car lots.
The damage I spoke of is throghout the entire plastic lense (not just the inner outer surfaces)
Volvo is the worse out of all the auto manufacturers, seconded by ford & Mazda
normally the brunt of this distortion is directly infront of where the high beams are.the distortion also usually follows the light pater caster by the fixtures.
The RE-Amemiya sleeks suffer from this very issue.
Think of light damage to your body caused by tig wealding in a short sleeve shirt.
It's light damage, not heat.
The damage I spoke of is throghout the entire plastic lense (not just the inner outer surfaces)
Volvo is the worse out of all the auto manufacturers, seconded by ford & Mazda
normally the brunt of this distortion is directly infront of where the high beams are.the distortion also usually follows the light pater caster by the fixtures.
The RE-Amemiya sleeks suffer from this very issue.
Think of light damage to your body caused by tig wealding in a short sleeve shirt.
It's light damage, not heat.
05-24-10, 04:47 PM
#113
It would be worth looking into polycarb (which is an exotic composite) vs glass (much more common molding media)
I'm sure if you are making a molded lense out of a clear media, it's going to be expensive.
The question is how expensive.
Make sure you are clear about your requirements for the molding of the polycarb, it can not have perosity, cloudyness, or uneven coloration (all things that can easliy go wrong)
glass is much more predictable.
I'm sure if you are making a molded lense out of a clear media, it's going to be expensive.
The question is how expensive.
Make sure you are clear about your requirements for the molding of the polycarb, it can not have perosity, cloudyness, or uneven coloration (all things that can easliy go wrong)
glass is much more predictable.
05-25-10, 12:34 AM
#114
i dont think that the glass is going to be feasible. i have found a few local companies that can vacuum form me some lenses, the cost of glass i dont think will be worth it. i think of it this way for the majority of FD drivers they are not their daily, and they dont get driven much at night (50/50-day/night driving on top of not being driven every day) i figure it would take a while for the problem to present itself. then just buy a replacement.
say it takes 5 years of daily driving for it to occur, and driving 1/2 that much 10 years, i would be ok with that.
say it takes 5 years of daily driving for it to occur, and driving 1/2 that much 10 years, i would be ok with that.
06-01-10, 10:26 PM
#117
I don't think so Dan. HIDs run cooler than halogens so I just don't see this will be an issue. With the halogens though, they are hotter and could over time cause the plastic to age I would think from the heat. But that is what replacement parts are for right? And if you use the halogens for high beams only, I just don't think they will be on long enough to cause an issue.
Just my $.02
Idel
06-02-10, 01:30 AM
#118
awesome, thanks for the input. more input is welcome. i still havent found anything on fading b/c of hid. it all seems heat and weather related. anyone with experience on the issue please comment.
good news david, i think i should be getting another 7 very soon
good news david, i think i should be getting another 7 very soon
06-02-10, 06:08 PM
#122
Regards,
Idel
