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Cadillac Forums: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics
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Old 07-02-09, 03:53 PM
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H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

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Got the H.I.D. kit yesterday and installed them along with polishing the headlamps. My lights were all sunbaked and didn't look very good. I purchased a "Headlight Restoration Kit" that we carry at my dealership from BG Products. Probably one of if not THE best results I have seen yet from such an item.

What I installed was an H.I.D. kit from VVE, 35w 9006 lamps in 6000Kv
BG CA875 - Headlight Restoration Kit

Here's a couple of "before" shots of the headlamps.





Here goes, this is my first how-to write up, so hopefully it helps some of the members on the board.

First you have to remove the front bumper. I won't go into too much detail here, but here are a couple diagrams.

Lower Engine cover retainers


Fender liner retainers


...and finally the Bumper fasteners


Once you have the bumper cover off you can get to the 3 fasteners for the headlamps.



Once those 3 fasteners are off on each side you can remove the headlamp. It takes a LOT of effort to get the ball/socket separated, so pull HARD.



Once you have the headlamps out you can proceed to install the H.I.D. kit. Here's the way I chose to do it.

Drill a hole in the low beam access cover. I used a 7/8" Unibit and then my dremel to cut some reliefs for the plugs to pass through.



Use caution when installing the bulb into the headlamp housing as to not touch the glass, this can cause them to break once powered up. Since the wires inside my headlamp housing were not marked as to positive/neg and both were black, I used a test light to figure out which was which. I marked the connector accordingly.



My kit came with grommets on the wire harness that sealed up the hole in the access cover nicely.



Next I mounted the ballasts, they fit nicely under where the headlamp goes in, there's a pretty good flat area to bolt them down.



Continued ...

Last edited by Dan_W; 07-02-09 at 03:57 PM.
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Old 07-02-09, 03:54 PM
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Re: H.I.D. and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

Once I had the H.I.D. stuff all situated I went on to polish the headlamps, here is the BG Kit I used.



Basically there are 3 chemicals and 3 different grades of sandpaper included. You start with 400 and work your way up to 2000. After the first step they looked like this...



After the 1000 grit and some cleaning



And finally you apply what I think is some type of varnish, then they are super glossy and nice.



They require a LOT of drying time even though the instructions say aprox 1 hour. I let them sit for about 4, then took the heat gun to them to make sure they were good and cured.

Here are the finished lights installed.







I wouldn't say they are perfect, but then again, they do have 100k on them, and they look a ton better. They look nearly new from just a few feet away.

Here are the H.I.D.s on



...and a lousy shot of the light on the wall at work.



Well, that's my novel, hope some of you find it useful!
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Old 07-02-09, 10:41 PM
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Re: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

Good job, you'll enjoy the extra light, you could also install a white LED in the triange light. That can be done from the wheel well.
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Old 07-03-09, 10:06 AM
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Re: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

Great write up. Thanks.
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Old 07-03-09, 10:56 AM
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Re: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

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Originally Posted by Sammy Z View Post
Good job, you'll enjoy the extra light, you could also install a white LED in the triange light. That can be done from the wheel well.
well, if ya have small enough hands and arms.....from the engine bay is another option


Nice job!!
6k is the best IMO
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Old 07-03-09, 11:14 PM
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Re: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

as mentioned earlier - install the led's in the triangle for an even look. I actually purchased the LED's (triangle) first and still have to wait to purchase the HID kit. so i did the reverse in your approach.

Looks really nice and thank you thank you thank you for the nice diagram in taking the front bumper off... really will come in handy for me.
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Old 07-04-09, 01:33 PM
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Re: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

great write up. those are the same kits i have. you ought to think about putting the same kit in the fogs. i need to do the same to my housings, they look really good. you did a great job
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Old 07-06-09, 10:45 AM
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Re: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

Does anyone know if the BG restoration kit is sold at retail stores, or can you get it on-line?
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Old 07-06-09, 06:21 PM
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Re: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy Z View Post
Does anyone know if the BG restoration kit is sold at retail stores, or can you get it on-line?
I looked quickly online, but didn't see it available. Just go to the BG website and find a local shop that carries BG products if you would like to purchase the kit. I'm not sure if it's something that would be sold over the counter or if they would want to provide the service to you. I'm sure if you ask around someone will sell the kit to you.
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Old 07-06-09, 06:22 PM
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Re: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

Quote:
Originally Posted by afterdigital View Post
as mentioned earlier - install the led's in the triangle for an even look. I actually purchased the LED's (triangle) first and still have to wait to purchase the HID kit. so i did the reverse in your approach.

Looks really nice and thank you thank you thank you for the nice diagram in taking the front bumper off... really will come in handy for me.
Do you have a reliable source for the LED 194s that might match better? Thanks for the compliments, and no problem on the diagram, glad to help out.
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Old 07-09-09, 01:38 AM
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Re: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

very nice writeup, with details. i am interested in the headlight polisher. i'll have to do that sometime soon!

also, you really don't have to drill reliefs on the side of the holes for the dust caps. i drilled a 1 inch hole on both and it's a perfect fit! i've tried it with three different brands of HIDs and each one fits perfectly with the supplied rubber grommets. they all seem to be a standard size. and at one inch, you need to remove a small piece of plastic on the wire attached to the light that plugs into the ballast. once removed, you can reverse feed it through the 1 inch hole, then replace the plastic clip. it quite literally is the perfect fit.

funny thing about that, my friend and i were thinking about drilling a hole there, and, without measuring anything, he just drills this 1 inch hole in the cap. i'm like, wtf dude! turns out it was THE perfect fit! lovely.
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Old 07-16-09, 09:33 PM
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Re: H.I.D. Install and Headlamp polishing combo how-to LOTS of Pics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan_W View Post
Do you have a reliable source for the LED 194s that might match better? Thanks for the compliments, and no problem on the diagram, glad to help out.
hope this helps:

http://autolumination.com/194.htm

i'll have to mention that i have not installed them yet but if you give me till this weekend - i'll do it and take pics....
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