996 Misty Front Lamps

common problem. generally you should remove the headlight unit if possible, or at least get the plastics and dash out of the way.

get the bulb out, and use a "rag-on-a-stick" method. I used a bit of isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) sprayed in first to break up and crud and grease, then got a fresh rag in there an manipulated it with a stick to wipe the inside of the glass lens. worked fine for me, just needs a bit of patience and dexterity.

 

yep, common issue, but don't go sticking a screwdriver or anything sharp in there.

 

http://ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/headlamp-misting.25552/
http://ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/misted-headlights-998.10482/

 

truth is, I didn't use this Forum's search engine I have cleaned dozens of headlamps over the years, mostly Italian and warm water/mild detergent is all you ever need.

 

As others have said, but use meths - seems to work much better and lasts much longer.

 

sorry - better than what?

 

Soapy water, think I tried vinegar too.

Meths was easy to use, evaporates thus not leaving streaks and last for years. Does stink a bit mind you..

 

if you get neat meths seeping into the bonding between glass and plastic body of headlamp assy this can only be bad news in the long run and the same goes if left without totally removing from chromed plastic. I appreciate that people don't want to be bothered to go to the length of using a brush etc to scrub inner glass surface but even meths won't totally remove all traces without a bit of scrubbing. I have never been unable to remove all deposits using water and detergent and the whole procedure takes around 10 minutes at the most. Having cleaned 748/916/996 and all were mist free for years afterwards, there really is no need to use anything stronger.

 

could've just been my bad luck. First time I cleaned the inside of the lenses, it fogged up again within weeks. I'd just used some washing up liquid and a bendy bristled brush... I wasn't best pleased. A friend with a 998 suggested I use meths, but to be careful and it's worked a treat:

First pic is from 2004, the second from 2011 and last from 2014.



Last time I saw the S, they were just the same! Spotless.

I'm sure there are many ways to clean them. This just worked really well for me, so figured I share the info.

Cheers

 

glad it worked and hope your glass doesn't seperate from body as a result. They can do this all on their own without meths intervention

 

ahh, @Bullitt , you failed to notice that the meths has turned your fairings black! Still, got to be better than the yellow ;-)

 

haha, I know - best not tell all those that their yellow bike can be turned black with liquid!!! :tearsofjoy:

 

It's worse than that Jim, his screens completely evaporated :Wideyed:

 

Frankly, I love the yellow. One day the carbon will be yellow too ;-)

 

thought I would just re-iterate for all the intelligent richards out there :-

 

I had this problem on my 748, apparantly caused by the coating on the tip of the bulbs burning off over time. I removed mine from the bike, and very carefully dissassembled, and used of all things Tesco hard surface/window cleaner, a rag and a stick to gently reach inside and polish, I then blew them out with a hot air gun, left overnight to ensure fully dry, then replaced, they look brand new, and still look as good 3yrs later.