How is the quality of aftermarket headlamps?

[the fat bastid]

My car has had the pirate eye for awhile now. As you know, the sprays and waxes are only temporary fixes. I want to replace them but am worried about the replacements being cheap expensive junk. Does anyone know how the fit and finish is? Do they have the clear coating on them? Do they hold up?

Here is the ones i'm looking at:
amazon search (https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mercury+marauder+head lamp)

Thanks dudebros.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Just polish your stock lenses.

1000grit wet sand, then 2000 grit wet sand. Then clear coat and polish/wax. Save the money for go fast parts.

[RF Overlord]

I've heard both good and bad about some aftermarket headlamps...

I bought a set for my MGM from 1A AUTO and was concerned when they turned out to be Eagle Eyes, which I'd heard bad things about. They're actually just fine and WAY better than the frosted originals.

If you can find them, I'm told Depo is the cat's ass.

[RubberCtyRauder]

put xpel headlight lens film on them, factory or aftermarke. you can get them cheaper on ebay

[ctrlraven]

If you are worried about fit and finish of aftermarket headlights, you could restore your factory ones.

uqOKmZ9mMfc

I did the sanding method, started with 600, moved onto 1000, 1500, 2500 and 3000. Compound and polish were also used and sealed it up with U-Pol Clear #1 UV spray (https://www.amazon.com/U-Pol-Products-0796-Clear-CLEAR/dp/B009LHER0M/ref=pd_sim_263_91?_encoding=UT F8&psc=1&refRID=BYYA2TXV0TNADMC1JZYH)

[Turbov6Bryan]

Don't buy aftermarket. They have cheap Chinese wiring, bad quick connects and within a few years you will experience that cheap top coat deteriorating

My depot scatters like crap, so I buy all the oem ones off eBay when you guys buy that any brand aftermarket

Wet sand the pits and old deteriorated plastic off up to 2000 grit then clear it with a gravity feed gun set to 45 psi and use clear for basecoat clearcoat at the paint shop

Mine look like new, like brand new for about 8.00 in clear. Serious

[RF Overlord]

Wet sand the pits and old deteriorated plastic off up to 2000 grit then clear it with a gravity feed gun set to 45 psi and use clear for basecoat clearcoat at the paint shopThat's great that you have professional-level body shop skillz and equipment, but most of us don't. I could buy 4 sets of aftermarket headlamps for what I'd have to pay a shop to do that work once.

[Turbov6Bryan]

That's great that you have professional-level body shop skillz and equipment, but most of us don't. I could buy 4 sets of aftermarket headlamps for what I'd have to pay a shop to do that work once.

Honestly if you own a air compressor with a water drier, the rest of the stuff is just like buying tools to fill your toolbox

Drywall sponge at Home Depot was 10.00
2000 grit was 5.00
Pint of clear 40.00 that's enough for clearing a front clip or more
Gravity feed gun at harbor freight 20.00
Plastic cleaner 12.00
Thinner 25.00
Mask 25.00

Now your set to paint what ever you want :)

I really wouldn't consider wet sanding headlights body work. It's not like your hanging a quarter panel, welding it, filling it etc


4 sets of lights would be over 800.00 for the crappiest ones no?

[8UWITH6]

He is far from a professional LOLOLz. Just a do it yourselfer.

[88CuttyClassic]

the fit kinda sucks but i left my stock ones alone so i could use the aftermarket pair for HIDS. i restored my stockers and threw them in a box along with the side markers.

[Motorhead350]

I have one after market one from a wreck in 2004. I still haven't had issue. It won't fit as nice, but it'll work fine.

As for yours, clean them with 3M. No need to replace. Be careful to not sand off the paint off of your body.

[tbone]

I've had my aftermarket ones for a few years now. No issues whatsoever. Love them.

You can't polish out imperfections when they are on the inside of the plastic, which was the problem with my particular OEM's.

[RF Overlord]

I've had my aftermarket ones for a few years now. No issues whatsoever. Love them.What brand and where did you get them?

[FordNut]

I had TYC aftermarket ones for years. The OEM ones fogged up. Only problem was the focus and aiming was a bit funky, there was a bright spot a little high and off-center.

[Ambitious1]

If you are worried about fit and finish of aftermarket headlights, you could restore your factory ones.

uqOKmZ9mMfc

I did the sanding method, started with 600, moved onto 1000, 1500, 2500 and 3000. Compound and polish were also used and sealed it up with U-Pol Clear #1 UV spray (https://www.amazon.com/U-Pol-Products-0796-Clear-CLEAR/dp/B009LHER0M/ref=pd_sim_263_91?_encoding=UT F8&psc=1&refRID=BYYA2TXV0TNADMC1JZYH)

How long did it take to do this? Did it look like new or close? Or did it just remove some of the yellow / hazing?

[ctrlraven]

How long did it take to do this? Did it look like new or close? Or did it just remove some of the yellow / hazing?
I gave myself the weekend, one day for the sanding, compounding, polish and laying the UV coating then let the headlights sit for 24 hrs since I had removed them from the car and no hurry to reinstall. I would say they are back to around 85-90% clarity. Mine were pitted REALLY bad form 250k miles of road debris and the car never being in a garage so I took the extra time to really cut down and level out the lenses, I was pretty impressed and please with the results.

If the headlights aren't damaged but just hazed up then just use 2000/2500 and move onto 3000/3500. The key is getting rid of all of the old UV coating, providing any sanding swirls left over have been removed from the compound and polishing and throw on a legit UVA/UVB protective coating.

[GreekGod]

I had TYC aftermarket ones for years. The OEM ones fogged up. Only problem was the focus and aiming was a bit funky, there was a bright spot a little high and off-center.

I believe my replacements (from Rock Auto) were also "TYC" -- they are excellent quality, fit, and finish. They seemed as good as OEM >>>

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Part Number Part Type Price EA Quantity Total

MONROE 550018 Shock Absorber $ 33.79 2 $ 67.58

VARIOUS MFR FO2503197 Headlamp Assembly $ 138.79
VARIOUS MFR FO2502197 Headlamp Assembly $ 142.99

Shipping Priority Mail $ 14.53

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