Fog Light Restoration Help Options

[Biggles]

Hi Everyone

i'm in the process of restoring some Hella H3 fog/driving lights (the ones with 5 rivets on the back) but need a bit of help.

Everything has come apart ok except for the lenses from the lens bowls.

Every picture I've seen of these shows the lens come away from the bowl with a gasket in between, but these look as though they are sealed with white sealant. It all looks original, but i'm thinking is it the gasket that's just gone very hard over 40 years or is it a type of glue ?

If it is glue, could it be soaked in petrol or something to soften it ? I'm worried force could crack the lens.

Thanks !

Chris

[anderssj]

If I remember correctly the lenses on the Hella H3s driving lights are sealed to the reflectors with a white adhesive. It's similar to what Cibie and Marchal use on their headlights. Pretty tough stuff. I've never used a solvent on them--I've always been concerned about the solvent fogging the reflector (had that happen once trying to clean an old light with rubbing alcohol).

You might want to call one of the hi-buck headlight restoration places (the ones that do the lights for old Ferraris and such) and see if they can recommend anything.

Hope this helps.