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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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Does the canned air leave residue that would cook?

J Wikoff wrote: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.

Ahhh, got it...

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

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

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.

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