Having recently acquired a 95 Honda Civic, I need to fit beam deflectors before driving in France. The headlight glass has a (polycarbonate?) cover about an inch in front of the lens, so the deflector can't be positioned accurately. Has anyone a solution? Or do I (as suggested by HJ)just leave the beam adjusted to its lowest position and forget about the deflector?
Regards,
P.
|
|
The polycarbonate cover is probably an after-market stone guard addition which can be unclipped, the beam adjustor put on the lense, and the stoneguard refitted.
|
|
It's been said before;point it at a wall or garage door and play;you need to get rid of the bit of the beam that goes to lower left;sticky tape of any sort will do.
|
Personally I have always used Black Tape without problems. However a recent thread suggested that black tape can absorb heat and result in the glass cracking. The suggestion was that manufacturers of the better after market patches use back silvered obscuring patches. I would have thought that this gave rise to internal refections and scattering of light to all sorts of new directions. So I am going to use white tape from now on.
Does anyone have hard experience of glass or reflector failure inspired by use of black tape? or is it a manufacturer scare story?
(As I glance out of window, look at existing Black Tape and keep my fingers crossed).
;)
pmh (was peter)
|
I've had a second look, and the plastic cover is integral with the headlight casing. Any owners of similar cars out there who've used the tape method without melting or damaging the plastic?- the assembly looks expensive to replace!
P.
|
I have asked a couple of main dealer repair centres if they have ever seen headlamps in for replacement as a result of plastic tape burns - the reply was on both occasions 'not yet'. One chap did helpfully suggest that the tape's glue would most likely let go if it got too hot- before polycarb was damaged.
I intend to put yellow tape directly on the polycarb - If nobody has any experience to share I will report back in September when I return.
|
|
|
|
|
I think I am right in saying that you want to get of the bit that goes to the UPPER left - after all that is what will dazzle drivers when you are abroad and driving on the right! You will need to put the tape on the lower part of the glass and (cos of the mirror effect of the reflector) that will cut out the upper part of the beam! E&OE!
|
|
|
jc
Like you I've always used black insulating tape. What I believe you meant to say was you need to get rid of the beam which goes to the upper left as viewed from the driving seat - that section which illuminates the left side of the road. The section of lens blanked is usually (but not always before someone shouts!), the lower left as you face the lamp. Worth checking the handbook - some indicate where to apply the blank.
Regards
John S
|
|
|
|
|
As I've said before, I just set the beam to its lowest and I haven't had any problems yet.
If you want to stick something on the lens, what about investing in a pair of beam benders? They don't block the light or hold heat in, just refract it in the "wrong" direction.
Less than a fiver a pair I think.
Terry
|
Terryb,
Thanks,-I've used the amber beam benders for some years, but I thought that the positioning was critical - I suppose that I could stick them as near as possible to the 'dip' fresnel pattern on the lens, as viewed from directly in front of the headlamp. At least it would 'show willing' to any gendarme!
Many thanks for all your answers.
Regards,
P.
|
I used black 'gaffer' tape on the platic lenses of my old Rover 200 when I went abroad. As it was Winter the lights were on most of the time. Unfortunately, when the black tape was removed after the trip it took off a thin layer of the plastic (a bit like onion skin).
Best to buy the proper deflectors and save any possible damage.
Buy cheap, buy twice!
|
|
Don't use black tape - use ordinary masking tape, the stuff you use when you are painting something. You cut it to cover the little square at the centre of the headlight and the other bit of the lens that points light to the left - the car handbook will often show you what part of the light to mask. It is white so it won't absorb the heat and it stays on perfectly well in wet weather. If some of the sticky stuff stays on the headlight surface when you come to remove the tape, you can get it off with meths or white spirit ...
|
I saw a press release this week that Metro 'Beam Benders' are supposed to work on any car. They have another advantage in that the kind of glue they use does not harm polycarbonate headlamp lenses and, after use, they can simply be sponged off with warm water. They're yellow in colour, and should be avaialble almost anywhere. If you can't find them, go to the first FAQ answer and use the link to Saxon Accessories (top of the list) which distributes them.
HJ
|
Why would anyone want yellow?
Even the French finally worked out that you cant see where you are going with yellow headlights. But then if you are p***ed half the time does it really matter. (Refers to "the French")
pmh (was peter)
|
There used to be an optician in the BR, maybe they (or a medic) could comment, but I always thought that a yellow tinge (as opposed to the French version) increased contrast or the eyes ability to sort out 3D, depth of field or somesuch.
AFAIK the French yellow headlights disappeared because of EU harmonisation.
Be interesting to have the definitive answer.
|
|
Along with dim-dip in the UK.
|
|
|
Can't claim the definitive answer - but was told once that during the war the French changed their lights to yellow to distinguish themselves from the Germans - presumably the 'free French' were behind it. Could have been the Germans that required it though.
Or another explanation altogether.
|
and just checked - French Regulations allow yellow or white lamps (last updated March 2001).
Probably cheaper for the manufacturers just to stick with white.
|
funnily enough Rebecca in an extremely tedious ten minutes this pm I checked that model of legislative clarity the Statutory Instrument 1989 No 1796, namely the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.
Indeed in the UK we are also allowed to have white or yellow (and only white or yellow) headlights in the UK as provided by RVLR 1989
section 11 (which clarifies when other lights may be shown) and schedules 4 (dipped beam), 5 (main beam) and 6 (fog lamps).
This doesn't explain why yellow headlights are not seen in France, except to say my French colleagues always mumble that its the EU's fault.
Plus this of course means that all those bikers running around with red, magenta, blue headlights and variations therof ought IMHO to be nicked.
(Ducks behind parapet)
|
I refer my honourable friend to the answer I gave earlier...Why aren't yellow headlights seen anymore (or rarely)?
The French can blame the EU, but I'm sure it's a financial decision by the manufacturers...and easier for a dealer to shrug the shoulders and blame it on the EU (like many things in life!)
|
|
|
|
|
They are available in clear or yellow;tho' why anyone should want yellow I can't understand-it only reduced h'lamp output about 20%.It was noticeable how quickly yellow lights disappeared from old french cars when it was no longer a legal requirement.
|
I should have written that the front of Metro Beam Benders is yellow; the back is reflective silver. Light from the lamps does not pass through the yellow. They're £5.95 a pair. Unfortunately gaffer tape and insulatin tape can make a right old mess of polycarbonate lenses.
HJ
|
|
The very latest Metro are Fresnel lenses again-white or yellow-Halfords!!!
|
I am intrigued if they have suceeded in making Fresnel lenses for a one size fits all. Modern reflector design results in some very strange masking positions, I cannot concieve how they can have achieved this.
Oh for the days of 7" Round headlights! (With halogen bulbs).
pmh (was peter)
|
|
The back of the carton shows several different positions to suit more modern motors as well as the older rounds and squares.
|
|
gaffer tape and insulatin tape can make a right old mess of polycarbonate lenses.
Just back from a few weeks in France with my 2001 Passat.
I'd fitted a well known brand of headlamp beam deflectors due to the warnings about damaging polycarbonate lenses.
They were fitted in warm dry conditions, first cleaning the headlamps as per enclosed instructions.
Next day it rained and when I stopped for a break on the M20 one deflector was half detached. Had gone by the time I reached Dover.
When it had stopped raining I examined things - the double sided sticky tape was still 100% attached.
A couple of weeks later in hot weather, relaxing on a camp site, I observed the remaining deflector sliding down the headlamp , the adhesive having melted, The tape was still in place.
A waste of the £6 I was charged.
I subsequently kept my headlights on the full down position and did not seem to upset anyone.
Anyone else experienced these problems?
|
|
|
|
|
I saw a press release this week that Metro 'Beam Benders'are supposed to work on any car. They have another advantage in that the kind of glue they use does not harm polycarbonate headlamp lenses and, after use, they can simply be sponged >> off with warm water. They're yellow in colour
HJ,
Thanks for the warning. Just checked the headlamps on my 2001 Passat and they seem to have plastic covers.
Normally used duct tape (Scottish economy) but will look for the Metro ones, if there is a sale on.
|
|
Speedring sell 'One size can be cut to fit all' Eurolites Beam Deflectors for £4.99 inc free delivery. I remain unconvinced on this one; I live in a tourist area and see plenty of overseas cars not bothering to stick anything on the lights. I also find it difficult to believe that it is any spcial glue on beam benders etc that saves a lens from destruction - I think a bit of ordinary masking tape wouldn't cause any harm - but I'm not so sure I want to risk it for £4.99.
|
|
ref rebecca's thread that both white and yellow headlamps are legal in france, the yellow colour is only allowed only on those cars registered before the law was changed (around 1995 from memory). all cars after that date are white only and cars before that date can use white. in any event, any non-french registered car didn't have to have yellow lights, it was probably a long developed argument to sell expensive deflectors so as to avoid being picked on by the gendarmerie. myself i always used insulating tape but then i had glass lenses. you can buy a white sticky tape (made by 3m) used by artists which is repositionable and the glue doesn't leave traces and leave the roll in the glove box for when it falls off (if it ever does).
|
|
|
|
|
|
I bought a set of the popular beam deflectors to fit on my 2001 Passat ,instead of using the usual duct tape, as it has plastic headlight lenses.
Even with correct fitting , one dropped off in the rain and another one in the heat due to the glue softening.The double sided sticky remained attached to the headlamps in both cases.
When I got home I tried to sponge the remaining glue off (as per instructions) with hot soapy water - it would not budge.
Methylated spirits has shifted it OK after carefully checking for any unwanted solvent action in an unobtrusive area.
So a waste of £6 quid or what?
Anyone been brave enough to try masking/duct tape?
|
Glaikit Wee Scunner,
Yes I stick duck tape onto my headlamp protectors when I go to France, that way it's not stuck directly to the lense.
|
|
|
|
