So we ended up getting a new car a couple weeks ago, but it had some bad oxidization spots and scratches on the headlights. I spent countless hours over the last week on sanding them back and trying to restore them with headlight restoration kits, but I just couldn't get them back to looking clear again. I bit the bullet and took it to a detailer to get them restored yesterday and now they basically look like new. It only cost $170.

I probably spent that much on kits and tools, not to mention time. I should have just done that from the beginning sigh...

Well, that's my story for the week.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I remember after many times changing headlights myself and paying about $35 per bulb at super cheap, one time I was in a hurry and found a mechanic who did it on the spot. It cost about $40 including labour (partly because their bulb cost about $15+GST). Made me wonder if it was worth my time driving to the shop and buying a bulb and installing it.

I used to have to change bulbs pretty often (one car or the other each year or so) but now I think about it I haven't had to do it for a long time, or at all for our current cars. Must have been something weird in the electronics on the previous cars (which were a lot older).

[–] eagleeyedtiger@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Thinking about it, I haven't had to change a headlight bulb in years either. The only time I can remember doing it was at least 10+ years ago.

The one time I stopped at a mechanic to get it done on the way home, they basically did it for $15 and it took literally 5 minutes in the parking lot.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 week ago

Some cars are really easy to change bulbs. Some are not.

I had one where the left was a 5 min job but changing the right one involved removing the windscreen washing fluid tank.

Another was fine unless you needed to change the lower bulb and then you had to go in via the wheel well, disassembling things along the way.

I'm actually pretty happy I haven't had to change a bulb on years 😅