New member - "Light guy"...

[hckeynut15]

Hi people, Pretty new here 9 (already posted some things) but wanted to say "HI" to all the Vibe owners. I'm a New Product Development Engineer for headlights and tail lights. I work at a plant in Battle Creek Michigan and we make/made the first gen Vibe headlights / tail lights as well as the current '09 Tail lights. I have an extensive understanding of each of the models and would be happy to answer any technical questions. I've been in the automotive lighting biz for about 10 years so, I've picked up a few things along the way. Please don't hesitate to contact me about your lamps if you're unsure of anything.- JimPS Oh.. I should mention that I'm a proud owner of a brand new '09 Vibe... Figured that I should support my company and buy a car with our lamps on the back.

[kevera]

Welcome.Can you get 03-04 headlights cheap???

[lovemyraffe]

Welcome "Light guy". I do need some new lamps for my '05. Any suggestions?

[ArcsVibe]

Welcome to the family!

[ned23]

Okay, I've got a question or two. a. Could you use anything to effectively polish scratches out of the lenses without compromising the UV protection? b. Any other hints/tips/dos/don'ts on caring for the lenses?

[lowincash]

welcome to this great little forum =D i'm a light guy too...sorta lol i just like brighter lights haha so you only do headlights for the first gen vibes? i need to buy a set of 09 headlights for a project i'm doing and dealer is quite expensive =/ maybe you can help =D

[northvibe]

awesome, glad you signed up! welcome :DWhat size bulbs (9xxx, etc) are in the 2009 vibe headlights? Was wondering if the HIR's would fit.....

[lowincash]

the 09 vibes are 9006 for the low beams...i used the HIR in them but i have them for sale now because i'm retrofiting tsx projectors in my headlights soon =D

[BlueCrush]

Welcome to GenVibe, Jim...or Light guy.....or hockey nut....!

[808 Vibes]

Welcome. Thank you for having a plant in Michigan

[Caretaker]

he, he, he.....see what you've done......you've chased him away already!!! OK, I'll pile on: I too would be interested in a new set of '03 headlamps due to the extreme pitting on the lense. There I said it.

[hckeynut15]

Sorry, no discount on headlights or tail lights. Wish that were the case. Our contract with the Manufacturers doesn't allow it. - Jim

[hckeynut15]

Regarding new lamps for the Vibe, I would suggest one of the following:1. Scrap yard - find one that was rear ended and junked. Pull them off of that2. Ebay3. This forum4. Buy them OEM from the parts shop (big bucks though)...Remember, the 03-04-05 are the same as 06-07-08 just different color extension due to removal of the black paint. Also the newer lamps have a gray housing with gray hotmelt (gives a different - cleaner look). Same mold for the housing and all the datums are the same and no different wire harness hook up...- Jim

[hckeynut15]

Ned23,a. I read a post on here where a guy used 1000 / 1200 / 2000 wet sanding paper that effectively removed the hardcoat and brought the polish back to it's original shine. He did the entire surfaces of both lamps. If a lamp had an overall yellowing I would follow that plan of attack however, if there is only a scratch or scuff that made it down to the base plastic (poly-carb)... I would localize the sanding to only a small portion (as small as possible in attempts to keep the factory hardcoat intact). Still use the rough to finer grit method just not do the entire thing. The only concern is to re-apply the hardcoat to the surface to protect the lens from further yellowing. I did see a product on here that suggested a "UV" protectant for use in aviation. I'm not sure how that would work. At the plant, our hardcoat undergoes a few steps in curing the paint. Probably something that most people can't do on their own. For re-application of a UV protector, you may have to go off the beaten path (something other than automotive - don't limit yourself).b. Hints on the lenses... If possible, keep most chemicals off of the lens. We do extensive testing to see if there are substances in general automotive that would lead to hardcoat failure. Everything from gas, anti-freeze, bug and tar remover, etc... Standard car wash soap should be enough - alcohol in the car wash soap is used to strip off old car wax but, shouldn't be enough to effect the hardcoat in normal use. Try and keep anything that feels abrasive/gritty away from the front lenses. If you feel you need to use something different, try to use it in moderation and in a small area, just in case it reacts to your lens. Try and keep your lenses free of obstruction. For example, if you work on your car and use a rubber mat over the lamps to keep from scratching things, it could cause it to heat up too much inside and cause problems. Also, the lamp is vented. If you obstruct any of the vents on the back side, it could limit the life of your lamp or cause performance issues.- Jim

[hckeynut15]

lowincash... Only did the front light for Gen 1.. The '09s were done by a company called Valeo. I ran into their engineers in Japan when we went for some earlier build events. Don't have any contacts though (they're the competition). Again, I would comb over the junk yards to see what I could find. If you try eBay, beware of knock-off companies that are making lamps to look like the OEMs but are not. We received a Chevy lamp back for warranty that leaked really bad only to discover it wasn't our lamp. Some company in China made it and was selling the lamps over the internet at a fraction of what body shops could buy it for. Just be mindful.- Jim

[hckeynut15]

maxx... Sorry, wish I could help. Just curious, pitting on your '03? From general driving or something unique?- Jim

[lowincash]

i'm just going to buy them from the dealer...it's like $500 for both headlights =/ but i want it to fit perfectly and i've had bad experience with aftermarket brands not fitting too well lol thanks for the info tho

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by hckeynut15 »Sorry, no discount on headlights or tail lights. Wish that were the case. Our contract with the Manufacturers doesn't allow it. - JimSo what your saying is your no help at all.

[hckeynut15]

Right... sorry.

[hckeynut15]

Well, the dealer sells our lamps made in our plant from regular production. Fit should be good and performance is guaranteed. You're right about the aftermarket stuff. I've seen lamps in the mall parking lot that fit terrible. - Jim

[keithvibe]

I would hate to hear your thoughts on what I did to my headlights that you worked so hard at making LOL Where are the photos of your vibe?????

[Caretaker]

Hi hckeynut15. The corrosion on the lense is nothing unique. I think everyone who ownes a first gen vibe has this issue. Before long (one or two years from purchase), you start seeing the lense looking like it has been sandblasted 24 hours a day. Over time, the lense becomes very hazy. Plastic polish fails to restore them. I did see on MotorWeek where Pat Goss had a person wet sand them and perform two other levels of restoration as well. I think the "semi truck to the rear end = thereby ending the life of someone's Vibe" is the best course of action to finding a reasonably priced set of new headlamps. Thanks for the note on the 03-08. I guess as long as it is a first gen Vibe, I can pick any wreck from the junkyard and grab the headlights with confidence.

[vhoward1122]

I remember seeing in walmart a kit that said it restored the plastic lenses of headlights when they weren't clear anymore. It came with several grades of sandpaper, liquid polishing compound, and a liquid your were to coat the lens with and let it dry on it.Of course, that was a while ago, so they may not carry it anymore.

[808 Vibes]

Quote, originally posted by hckeynut15 »Sorry, no discount on headlights or tail lights. Wish that were the case. Our contract with the Manufacturers doesn't allow it. - JimI thought you make them in your plant in Michigan? Doesn't that make you the manufacturer? Quote, originally posted by hckeynut15 »I work at a plant in Battle Creek Michigan and we make/made the first gen Vibe headlights / tail lights as well as the current '09 Tail lights.like Keith said, pics of the '09 are not required, but highly recommended.

[hckeynut15]

Sorry, yes, my company in Mich makes the lamps but a contract with the automotive company (in this case GM/Pontiac) would be violated if we sold them behind their back.As soon as I get her all washed up, I'll snap off a few pics. - Jim

[ned23]

Quote, originally posted by hckeynut15 »Ned23,Try and keep your lenses free of obstruction. For example, if you work on your car and use a rubber mat over the lamps to keep from scratching things, it could cause it to heat up too much inside and cause problems. Also, the lamp is vented. If you obstruct any of the vents on the back side, it could limit the life of your lamp or cause performance issues.- Jim Okay, that's a particularly interesting suggestion, thanks. I hadn't thought of that one before. My old Tracker had a feature where the daytime running lights would turn off if you put the parking brake on or even just pulled it up one notch. Thanks for the other tips, also.