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Scooters - 125 to 300 => LIKE 200i => Topic started by: Stig / Major Tom on May 08, 2016, 01:47:04 AM

Title: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on May 08, 2016, 01:47:04 AM
Anyone come up with a better solution than black electrical tape on the top of the head light lens to block the glare into your eyes when riding at night?
Probably not an issue for short riders - but most tall riders find it to be a problem.

I'm also wondering how much of the light's effectiveness I'm losing with that tape on there.
Soon I will tape off the area and spray it with some chrome paint if I can't come up with something else. I'm tired of looking at that black tape....or even the nearly matching blue painter's tape.
Stig
(http://i65.tinypic.com/eirpz7.jpg)
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: LidoCA on May 08, 2016, 03:10:40 PM
 I don't ride in the dark much, but I thought of painting the top edge of the lens to match the scoot. It seems that the glare is mostly from the 1/8" lip on the lens. Chrome paint or striping tape seems like it would work. 
 It doesn't seem that Taping it would interfere with the light pattern adversely.
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: TroutBum on May 09, 2016, 06:59:52 PM
Being 5'9" I don't have the glare issue. What about spraying tint on the lens where you use tape to stop the effects of the glare? Tint comes in different density.
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Groversmith on May 17, 2016, 08:14:50 PM
Im in the tape camp. It works...
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on May 18, 2016, 02:04:57 AM
Yeah, but I don't like the tape.
I think I'm going to try Troutbum's idea of spray tint in a nice matching blue......
But what to do with the rest of the spray can?
I never did like the color of those shrubs along the fence.....
Will the paint stick to tires?
Cats?
Squirrels?
Stig
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: vespbretta on May 18, 2016, 11:45:55 AM
What I have never tested and figured out a 100% so far: What is the material of the headlight "glass"? Real glass or real plastic?
I tend to make this decision depending a bit upon the answer of the above question (paint job or tape).
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on May 18, 2016, 04:16:46 PM
What I have never tested and figured out a 100% so far: What is the material of the headlight "glass"? Real glass or real plastic?
I tend to make this decision depending a bit upon the answer of the above question (paint job or tape).

Real glass-like plastic.
;-)
My photos of a LIKE200i on a very foggy night show a beam of light going straight up to Pluto from that headlight lens. Straight up.
 I mistook it for another Republican Tractor Beam attack and did a high side off into the shrubbery to escape.
http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=14598.msg144188#msg144188 (http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=14598.msg144188#msg144188)
Stig
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: TroutBum on May 18, 2016, 05:53:14 PM
Yeah, but I don't like the tape.
I think I'm going to try Troutbum's idea of spray tint in a nice matching blue......
But what to do with the rest of the spray can?
I never did like the color of those shrubs along the fence.....
Will the paint stick to tires?
Cats?
Squirrels?
Stig

Just for fun spray all your neighbors porch lights with the solution.  ;D
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: vespbretta on June 22, 2016, 03:01:34 PM
Attention! Warning! I just today figured out, that the Like headlight is REAL PLASTIC , not real glass!!!
This false information above from Stig unfortunately mislead me to use  the rougher side of the sponge today which I reget now.
Because I now have some "nice" and visible scratches in there.....

So I could need some hints for a proper polish treatment of the headlight (if possible) to get rif of the scratches again. Any ideas how this is properly done?
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: ScooterLar on June 22, 2016, 03:39:45 PM
Stig said....... "Real glass-like plastic." I understand that to mean it's "glass-like", but still made of plastic.
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: TroutBum on June 22, 2016, 05:18:07 PM
I use Novus plastic polish to clean my auto headlights of the ugly yellow build-up that degrades light transmission. They come in varying grades of grit to remove and polish plastics. Here's a link to the website. http://www.novuspolish.com/ (http://www.novuspolish.com/)

Tap Plastics carries the product.
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: MJR on June 22, 2016, 05:24:19 PM
Stig said....... "Real glass-like plastic." I understand that to mean it's "glass-like", but still made of plastic.

Is that something like Genuine Naugahyde Leather?
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 22, 2016, 10:21:06 PM
Is that something like Genuine Naugahyde Leather?
Yep....made by the same guys in Topeka.
Uses the same naugahyde / plexi rejuvenation spray.
Makes a wonderful tea as well.
Stig
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: vespbretta on June 23, 2016, 01:44:43 PM
Stig said....... "Real glass-like plastic." I understand that to mean it's "glass-like", but still made of plastic.

Well, fine then. As a non idigenous and the american english language being not my mother tongue, I am not familiar with all of your nice little puns.
Therefore the possible misunderstanding.

Anyway, [real "glass-like" plastic] or simply just ["plastic"] would have made it clear right away from the beginning - also for all other people outside of america.
But on a second reading now, I also understand Stig´s comment as the plastic version. Too late for me now, but the polish will hopefully fix it. :-)
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 23, 2016, 03:20:49 PM
Attention! Warning! I just today figured out, that the Like headlight is REAL PLASTIC , not real glass!!!
This false information above from Stig unfortunately mislead me to use  the rougher side of the sponge today which I reget now.
Because I now have some "nice" and visible scratches in there.....

So I could need some hints for a proper polish treatment of the headlight (if possible) to get rif of the scratches again. Any ideas how this is properly done?
Very sorry Robo....not trying to  confuse you.
Also....I have seen the blue or green side of those scrubbing sponges scratch GLASS! so is not advisable to use on glass or plastic. 
McGuires (spelling?) 'Cleaner' car polish I have used successfully to polish scratches from  antique German toys made of plastic.
I do not know of any Asian built scooters using anything but plastic lenses on their lights (turn, brake, stop, head - lights)
Again...my apologies.
Stig
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: vespbretta on June 23, 2016, 09:08:12 PM
No big deal, Tom. Of course probably all of these headlights nowadays have plastic lenses. I should have known it better anyway...  ;) ...or asked a second time.
So in the end its my own fault and confusion.
But these damn plastic lenses are so crystal clear and with all those "glass-like" marks and signs on it and it felt really hard and strong (knocked on it before), so that I was tempted to use the "other" side of the sponge to get rid of the remaining glue of the electrical tape.  :)

Thanks for the advices for the car polish. I´ll give that a first try, ´cause that´s what I have at home.
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 23, 2016, 09:59:14 PM
No big deal, Tom. Of course probably all of these headlights nowadays have plastic lenses. I should have known it better anyway...  ;) ...or asked a second time.
So in the end its my own fault and confusion.
But these damn plastic lenses are so crystal clear and with all those "glass-like" marks and signs on it and it felt really hard and strong (knocked on it before), so that I was tempted to use the "other" side of the sponge to get rid of the remaining glue of the electrical tape.  :)

Thanks for the advices for the car polish. I´ll give that a first try, ´cause that´s what I have at home.
I had to use orange degreaser to remove the tape gunk.
Stig
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Mr. Paul on June 24, 2016, 12:43:42 AM
I have used plain old Crest toothpaste to remove metal scratches from auto windscreen. May work for you on plastic. Toothpaste, water, and a soft toothbrush. Circular motion. Hope that helps.
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: bdsimmons2 on September 30, 2021, 08:02:26 PM
I just added a strip of 3m (or at least I thought it was 3m) automotive vinyl wrap to the top of mine.  Although I found out afterwards that the light still can "glow" through the vinyl wrap a little, but I was able to get it on there nice and straight, and I used a gunmetal/metallic grey that looks like the stripes on my matte black Like.  It does look a little odd at night, but the glare is stopped.
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Kansas kymco on September 30, 2021, 11:47:41 PM
I use Novus plastic polish to clean my auto headlights of the ugly yellow build-up that degrades light transmission. They come in varying grades of grit to remove and polish plastics. Here's a link to the website. http://www.novuspolish.com/ (http://www.novuspolish.com/)

Tap Plastics carries the product.
I use Novus plastic polish  for yellow tinted plastic Lens. It also works for removing scratches in the windscreen.  I use a 5" random orbit electric polisher.  Because of the extremely fine grit in the polish it takes awhile to remove scratches but does a nice job.
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Ruffus on October 01, 2021, 09:53:26 AM
@Kk yes, if an item is not available anymore.
 I'm a pretty cheap guy but IMO it's not worth the effort when i.g. an headlamp assambly for my Grand Dink 150 costs €36,- new inclusive bulbs and delivery.
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Kansas kymco on October 01, 2021, 11:53:11 AM
@Kk yes, if an item is not available anymore.
 I'm a pretty cheap guy but IMO it's not worth the effort when i.g. an headlamp assambly for my Grand Dink 150 costs €36,- new inclusive bulbs and delivery.
I can't argue with that,  very reasonable.  Ruffus your not cheap your frugal.  When I get the liquid cooled Bet&Win 150 I will try to get some pictures. I bet it will be a match to your liquid cooled Xiciting 150.
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Ruffus on October 01, 2021, 02:32:57 PM
@Kk, frugal is the word👍😄
Title: Re: Solution to headlight glare?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on October 01, 2021, 03:40:00 PM
Vivo used to say, "headlight glare?....close your eyes!"

....wonder what ever happened to ol' Vivo.....

Stig