UrS4 Headlamp Cleaning

[andrewd]

Had a productive 1.5 hours this afternoon following this guide to taking the UrS4/6 headlamps apart in order to give them a clean.

The only bit I found difficult was removing the reflectors from the housing - on both sides the top-inner push-fit clip just wouldn't release. Thankfully with the other two loose it was just possible to reach into the dipped-beam projecter and clean the back of the lens.

The glass headlamp lens cleaned up nicely in the washing-up bowl, and a gentle rub of the chromed plastic reflector with a new micro-fibre cloth removed a thin layer of dirt bringing them up to a nice shine. The biggest improvement though came from wiping the front and back of the glass lens on the projector. The amount of dirt on the MF cloth was incredible! I couldn't reach far enough inside the projector to clean the reflector, but I didn't want to completely disassemble the units and mess up the alignment.

All in all it's really brightened up the look of the front end. Didn't take any 'before' shots but suffice to say they looked dull. Here's the bright, shiny 'after' ...

[UrS4boy]

Alternative headlight cleaning procedures

Headlight cleaning was the first write-up I ever did (1998). Jonny's procedure (the one you used) is pretty good. Others might want to check out this procedure as well:

http://forums.audiworld.com/s4s6/msgs/149780.phtml

Too clean the back of the projector lens without disassembly, I found that a PLASTIC chop stick wrapped with a soft cotton cloth is very effective.

Whatever you do, DO NOT clean the "chrome" reflectors with Windex (ammonia based blue window cleaner) or the like. It will eat the chrome right off. Just use water and the finest cloth you have, e.g. microfibre cloth, with almost no pressure.

Dave F.

[andrewd]

Ah thanks! That was the page that inspired me to take this on in the first place ... I just couldn't remember where I'd seen it and the other page is the one I turned up via Google.

Have to admit I did use a light misting of window cleaner on the MF cloth before I wiped the 'chrome' bits. Looks like I got lucky with a non-ammonia based formula! :-o

I sort of regret not having got right inside the fog and dipped projectors, but I was anxious not to break anything given the scarcity of S4 headlamp units ...!

[Fat Audi 80]

Yes! Be very very careful with the Chrome. I have seen it literally flake off with no pressure...