Cleaning US headlamp, how?

[66andBlue]

I am trying to clean the lens in front of the fog light/turn signal compartment and was wondering whether it is possible to remove the frame shown in the photo.
With the frame in place it is difficult to clean the area in front of the amber insert.
Has anyone done this successfully without destroying the lens?

[mnahon]

The only way to remove that metal frame is to grind off at least two of the plastic tabs arrowed in green in picture below, on one side of the frame. That allows you to lift up that side of the frame and slip it out. After cleaning, you can then put it back in and reproduce the tabs you ground off using some clear epoxy.

It's pretty interventionist.

Instead of that, you could use some Q-tips to clean the area you mention, but you probably won't be able to do a real good job if you have a lot of dirt in there.

Meyer

[wayne R]

Alfred,  When you get lens out,--- let me know--- if you are talking about how to  get the inside of your
lens clean and shiny again, regards Wayne.

[Jordan]

Alfred, if you end up not getting the frame removed you could try using a waterpic to get the dirt out if really dirty.  Use hot soapy water on the highest setting and then follow up with the Q-Tip.  You could probably use polish on the Q-tip as well and then blast out any residue with the waterpic.

[Pawel66]

Would ultrasound work here or would rather damage something?

I did clean the rear lamp bulb holder assembly in ultrasound - worked ok (I tried it on somebody elses' lamp  of course), but the lens was removed.

[bogeyman]

OK, don't laugh..

Polident.

It would take several  and a vessel large enough to submerge the area, but it will clean it up.

[66andBlue]

The only way to remove that metal frame is to grind off at least two of the plastic tabs arrowed in green in picture below, on one side of the frame. That allows you to lift up that side of the frame and slip it out. After cleaning, you can then put it back in and reproduce the tabs you ground off using some clear epoxy.
It's pretty interventionist.
Instead of that, you could use some Q-tips to clean the area you mention, but you probably won't be able to do a real good job if you have a lot of dirt in there.
Meyer

Thank you Meyer.
After looking at these tabs for quite some time and thinking it might be enough to cut the first pair (farthest apart) and then slide the frame out since it is tapered, I chickened out and decided to use soft swabs to clean behind the amber lens after first using compressed air to get all the loose dirt out.
It worked out reasonably well. The white speckles are tiny craters on the outside caused by gravel and sand hitting the lens (acrylic or polycarbonate?).

[mnahon]

That looks good Alfred; I don't think you'd do much better opening it up.

Your lens is still very clear; not much yellowing.

Meyer