Don't ever do this...

[ddalder]

In September of 2013 I purchased a brand new pair of OEM headlamps at a cost of about $1K. I was so pleased with their clean appearance, right up until I saw a small spec of dust inside the driver's side lens. I figured I was being pretty smart by using a can of the pressured air duster with the long nozzle to blow the dust away. Unfortunately, after I reinstalled the bulb and turned my headlamps on it started to smoke inside the housing. The reflective material cracked and became horribly discoloured. I didn't really think that the propellant would do that but I suppose it makes sense.

[crash93ssei]

Ouch :( the GXP headlights in my SE have that same cracking too. That chrome is ultra sensitive as well, the slightest touch with even a soft microfiber will scratch it!

[KM AXer]

OUCH! That sucks. Thanks for the warning.

I learned a lesson with a tail lamp: Years ago a friend cleaned out a glass driving light with 90% rubbing alcohol, so that is what I used in November. Looked great for about a minute, then the clear outer cover became opaque, and cracked all over. The colored portions of the assembly were completely unaffected! Grrrrrrrr.

Dang.

[nos4blood70]

The chrome in the GXP lights appears to be much more sensitive. I have a pair of GXP reflector buckets that are absolutely trashed from being exposed to water and heat. The chrome is peeling. The only purpose left for them is if anyone wants a blacked out retrofit… Hahaha

In contrast, I found that the chrome in the normal head lights, while extremely sensitive to touch, can be cleaned without damage with a glasses cleaning cloth and some moisture from your breath.

[CMNTMXR57]

So what exactly happened from doing this? Did it break the foil or something causing it to come into contact with a hot bulb? I'm trying to understand how a fire started.

I've given many GM light housings a quick shot from the nozzle on my air compressor (a heck of a lot more powerful than a can of compressed air), over the years and have had zero issues whatsoever.

[J Wikoff]

Does the canned air leave residue that would cook?

[BBamm]

Does the canned air leave residue that would cook?

Canned air is has some sort of accelerant in the can. That is most likely the culprit.

[CMNTMXR57]

Ahhh, got it...

[1oldman]

I thought the air in "canned air" could be used as a refrigerant. If that's true it would be like blowing Freon on the back side of a mirror, wouldn't it? - BC

[LuckyHammercheeks]

Most canned air is nitrous like they use to refill whip cream cans

[rustyroger]

Aerosol cans are normally filled with a propellant that won't react with whatever is to be put in it. For years hydroflourocarbon was used, much like old fashioned freon used in a/c systems. This has been outlawed in most of the world now.
I haven't any idea what is used now.
But anyway, if I see a speck of dust inside my headlamp I think I'll just leave it there.


Roger.

[Sirius]

I've been looking for dust specks in my headlights since this was first posted back in 2015.