Hi guys,
My OEM headlights are starting to cloud up. I *could* polish them, but I kind-of like the look of some of those aftermarket headlights that have a darker background. However, I've read a lot of threads where people seem to hate on them and say they're all trash. So here's my question:
Are there any brands of aftermarket headlights that are good/reliable? I'm trying not to break the bank of course, but I'd like to get some new ones!

Some of the brands I saw were Spec-D,, CG, Spyder (they also have LED strip taillights now for the G35 apparently https://www.carid.com/spyder/black-s...45&url=1019214 )

 

The reason a lot of people call them trash is because they are. They are cheaply built, the night output is bad and many of the LED's burn out within a couple months. I'd recommend 06-07 Projectors, they can run anywhere between $200-$600 a set. Yes, they're more expensive than the aftermarket headlights but your paying for overall better quality and better vision at night. At the end of the day it's your car so if you wish to proceed and purchase the aftermarket ones then by all means do so. And I've seen about 2 or 3 sets of those "Spyder" aftermarket tail lights come up for sale on Facebook literally with only a months use..06-07 tail lights are way cheaper than those so my opinion would be to just stick to OEM on those as well.

 

See a body shop, or a professional retrofitter to get your lens sanded, polished, and clear coated.

 

I think my girlfriend might have the polish already because her mini's headlights were clouding up.

So just to clarify. There are NO aftermarket headlight brands that are any good? I don't mind spending more like $500 on a set if I have to, vs the $280-$350 that the spyder ones are.

 

The best headlights are modded factory or ebay headlights. eBay if you don't want to recondition your lenses. If the headlight lense is not cracked it can be made perfect again with the right steps. The good 3M kit that's around $20 or so has everything you need for a crapped out headlight sense to look new again. My process is wetsand with 1500 to 2000 to 3000 grit sandpaper paper. Clean all residue from sanding and use a strong cut rubbing or polishing compound, than a polish like Ultimate Polish. Last step is use a sealant like the one 3M has in their kit or a acrylic clear coat spray paint and back to new looking it is.

On the note of the best headlights are modded one. Perfect and much superior light output involves retrofitting projectors inside the factory housing. Mini D2S 4.0 provides one of the best lightout, sharp cutoff line to date for a headlight. You can even get older version D2S projectors from the 2010-2013 era and provide better light than out HID reflectors ever will

 

Yep ^

It's important to finish up polishing headlights with a clear coat! Otherwise in a few months you have to be back at it again.

 

A few things:
1. My lenses are not cracked.

2. I apologize if this is a stupid question, but are the projectors what give headlights the more "blue-ish" tint?

 

The blue-ish light is not related to projectors, it is related to the degrees kelvin of the bulbs. 6,000K white is best for clarity in night time visibility. 8,000K and up is blue, and worse for illuminating the night so you can see what's ahead at highway speeds.

 

No.

Ideal HID kelvin temperature is 4300k, with 5000k being pure white, 6000k being white with blue, and 8000k being pure blue.

Every bit you increase over 4300k you lose some light. For example, factory Hid projectors on cars use 4300k bulbs. New LED projectors that are purpose built are a different story.

If you get above 5500k, you are losing lots of useable light. You'll also see reputable sellers (Philips, Morimoto, etc.) not selling bulbs above 6000k kelvin temps.

HID is white at 4300k, but has a yellow Tint.

Here is my Moto with an FX-35 projector. It has a 5000k bulb. The color of the output is white, but across the cutoff it is blue-ish. This is called the color band and is noticed on higher quality projectors. Cheap Chinese projectors can never achieve the same level of crispness!

One picture attached showing 5000k color temp and one showing the high beam.

Attachment 178513

Attachment 178514

 

My '06 has factory spec lamps in it and has the best night illumination of any vehicle I've ever driven/ridden in. EVER. Better than Audi, Mercedes AMG, BMW, or anything domestic. The beam is incredibly bright, excellent casting distance with predictable fade, reflector throws a very wide beam, and it isn't blinding or annoying to other drivers. Coupled with the low axis height of the headlamps it's simply amazing, can't go wrong with stock, works excellent in foggy/rainy situation as well.

 

Wait til you ride in some of these newer vehicles. 06 is a good projector from Infiniti but the technology that's been fine tuning on projectors the last 10 years has made a big strides in output performance. There's a huge thread on hidplanet that a guy tested and compiled output shots using over 50 different projectors against the same wall with the same bulbs. Every projector has a special output to them all. Some have way to much foreground, some have wide beams, some have stronger bright spots, better color transition.

 

Best Advice! You could buy a 3M headlight cleaning kit, best on the market or like was suggested have a body shop sand/polish and clear what you have! Or keep an eye out on our Marketplace for a set of '06 projectors. The difference between what you have and OE projectors is flat out amazing! You'll actually be able to see where you're going at night!
Gary

 

So 06 G35 coupe projector headlights? Are they a direct fit and is it something an amateur could do at home?

Also, what's a reasonable price range to pay for them?

 

The projectors are a "Plug & Play" and the swap can be completed in your garage in less than an hour! There' a how to vid, just Search! Price depends condition and who you buy them from. WARNING: Do not buy them with broken tabs, that's a indication they were stolen...ripped out of a G! Keep watching our Marketplace for a set. Gary

 

I drive an 05 g35. I just re-did my headlights and both of my ballasts are out and was considering switching to led. Does anyone have any recommendations on what or where i should get them from? All i really know is that I need the h1 bulbs to fit in the sockets.