Condensation in headlight

[RBH]

whats the best way to dry out the headlight?

would i be better taking the light out altogether and doing it in the house where its warm?

or leave it in and try and dry it out with a hairdryer?

[ijk571]

Had this before in my old Mondeo. I took the headlights and took them indoors to change the bulbs last winter and when they went back outside the change in air temp made them condense inside. I found the best way was to take off the rear cover (to let the damp air out) and then dry them naturally or use the hair dry carefully.

[soulman]

hair dryer and silicon gel packs ..

[farley2708]

i took mine out,couple of hours in front of a blow heater,got it de-misted,nice and warm,for me it was where i drilled out the cap for the HID cable to go through,so some insulating tape & a wee bit of black silicone,added a sachet of silica jel just for good measure,job seems to have been a good un,that was 4 months ago

[RBH]

i took mine out,couple of hours in front of a blow heater,got it de-misted,nice and warm,for me it was where i drilled out the cap for the HID cable to go through,so some insulating tape & a wee bit of black silicone,added a sachet of silica jel just for good measure,job seems to have been a good un,that was 4 months ago

yep.............this has only happend since ive removed the hid kit

[rich r]

I took all the bulbs out of mine (to give the damp air plenty of ways out) then heated the headlight from the front gently with a 150W halogen lamp to get the moisture to evaporate and head out the bulb holes. Don't get it too hot or you'll melt the plastic headlight. Been mist free since.

A pack of silica gel will help get the last of the moisture out - but remember to remove the gel when it's absorbed it, or it could just release it back when the bulbs heat up!

The important thing is to have the rubber cover on the back of the headlight. If it's missing, split or has holes in it, then the water will just come back. Also try not to slosh screenwash all over the back of the headlight when refilling it

[RBH]

so the gel packs need to come out when the jobs done then?

[gtr1000]

As a temporary solution and I found the condensation will come back.......

Place baking foil over the outside of the headlamp and run the engine with both dipped and main beam on. The heat generated can't escape with the foil in place but beware - don't walk away from the car and check every 2 mins or so cos the heat can melt the headlamp lens. been there, done it .

Alternatively, use a thick bath towel instead of baking foil.

HTH

[bigdave1701]

I've had a misty drivers side headlamp for a couple of days. Thinking hair dryer, silica gell and sealant round the HID hole.

[rich r]

Basically dry it out however you choose, and then make sure damp air can't get back in afterwards.

Unfortunately at the moment the air is very damp (at least here in Yorkshire), so you might still get a little bit of misting. The ideal time to do this is on a very dry, hot day in summer.