R&R a headlight bulb...

I've done this several times on several different cars/trucks, but at least 1/3 to 1/2 the time I have to change the bulb again because it quickly developed a "hot spot" and blew up.

Usually, I swab the "virgin" bulb with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before I install it, but I can't find the bottle of R/A. Any other tips on pre-install clean? Any sure-fire cleaning solution substitutes.....ANY you MUST have tried them personally.

I've always worn a pair of gloves (to keep any oils off the bulb) and have never had one develop a hot spot...

we do this with theatrical lamps all the time. RA is all you want to use. Windex and the like leaves a residue

I usually just wipe them off with my shirt. I've never had a bulb fail from a hot spot.

I've had bulbs brown from skin oils, but I've never had one blow up from that skin oil.

i thought this was going to be a thread on how some designers make it nigh impossible to r&r a headlight without major disassembly

but yes.. oils on your skin can destroy a lamp.

You might not see it on a 55watt lamp.. but in theatre it is more likely the lowest wattage you are going to see is 575 (there are lower, but not generally used) with a lot going up to 1k.

The oils on your fingers, even if you cannot see them, create a hotspot on the glass as it heats up and boils off. This weakens the glass at the spot, which can lead to it expanding and bursting. Might take the next time you turn it on, might take months, but the glass is weaker there and is a timebomb waiting to go off.

I have repaired follow spots that use a similar system to HIDs.. but at 3kwatts of power. When those lamps goe (which are at many atmospheres of pressure when hot) they generally explode and take the reflector, some of the internal mechanism, and I have seen one distort the housing as well. (that one probably also destroyed the spot ops underwear too)

I found the RA this morning, buried under some "debris" in the trunk.

On my car (a '92 Integra) I can do the driver's side bulb BLINDFOLDED....it's that open under the hood. On the passenger's side you nearly have to disassemble the intake and remove the battery, or you risk touching the bulb on some surface and hence, a possible hot spot.

If I can muster the energy and it will stop raining, I will need to finish this job today or tomorrow morning.

I had to replace one on my sister's Malibu. Unbelievable. Had to go in blind, through the fender liner.

"Use the force, Luke."

What year Malibu? On the late 90's - 200x's if you pull up on two tabs the whole headlight unit comes out and the bulbs are easily accessible

Changed the bulb yesterday and did the driver's side as well. Used a "mid grade" Sylvania bulb....as that was all I could find at the 'Zone. So far, so good, tho haven't tried the high beams, yet.