Cloudy brake light - Journey

boulderado · 07-01-2008, 04:24 PM

The center brake light lens on our Journey has been cloudy for a while:

Does anyone know of a better replacement?

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boulderado · 07-01-2008, 04:24 PM

The center brake light lens on our Journey has been cloudy for a while:

Does anyone know of a better replacement?

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W8RLM · 07-01-2008, 04:47 PM

I've never seen one. GNR is coming up. Maybe the surplus store has some. If you are not going, perhaps you know someone who is. I'd buy a few if you can.

W8RLM

Bob

AFChap · 07-01-2008, 05:07 PM

When I pulled mine out to get a closer look, I found it is all one unit -- ie. the "lens" is not separate from the unit itself. Mine has turned much lighter in color more than it has become cloudy. But the LEDs inside apparently are red, so it is still red when the brakes are applied.

Some owners have replaced them only to have the new one do the same. Others have tried to rehab the lens by sanding with fine grain paper and the sealing it with some kind of protective coating. I have not heard any report on how well that lasts.

boulderado · 07-01-2008, 05:12 PM

Thanks for your feedback, guys.

Also, do you know if the regular tail light bulbs can be replaced with LEDs?

AFChap · 07-01-2008, 06:47 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">know if the regular tail light bulbs can be replaced with LEDs? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
They can be, BUT -- I don't know about the Journey taillights, but in the Hella taillights on my Ultimate the bulb socket is in the side of the reflector rather than in the back/bottom center like "normal" car tail lights. All the LEDs replacement bulbs I have seen are directional, meaning they have to be pointed in the direction they need to be seen from, so after checking my fixtures out I had to pass on that idea.

porscheracer · 07-01-2008, 09:01 PM

Plastic / polycarbonate lenses (including tails, headlight covers, etc.) CAN be polished out. Start with an ultra-fine grit sandpaper - 1200 or so. (Don't get agressive, and unless you're good, don't use power tools.) Once it clears up, finish with 3000 grit, and then jewelers rouge on a soft cotton cloth. Then Cover it with a good clearcoat (3 light coats). Then after 24 hours (and every 3 months afterward), coat it with a UV-blocking wax.

Randy Chesnutt · 07-02-2008, 05:03 AM

I do just like porcheracer explanned, except i use a razor blade to scrap it down first. Mine last about two years are so. We use this process on lens when we restore old cars.