Dismantling and re-sealing headlights.

I removed my headlights this evening as I'm stripping back and respraying my front panel. They came out no problem but when I put one of them on the bench it rattled like the glass was loose! Sure enough the glass was no longer stuck to the reflector so I checked the other light and found that one was the same and also on that one the locating nib was not lined up with the notch in the reflector so I'm assuming that someone has had them apart in the past! Has anyone encountered this before and can anyone recommend a suitable sealer? It looks like some form of seam sealer on there at the moment but it's rock hard and I'm thinking of a nice bead of silicone to re-assemble!
Also, has anyone ever cleaned the reflectors etc without dismantling and offer any tips as my spotlights in the grill are discoloured (as are the headlights) but look to be in good condition otherwise!
Thanks.

Don't know if tiger seal or similar would do the trick? Or if they're a bit ratty buy new ones?

Ref the spots, fill them with boiling, soapy water and soak for a bit, empty out and see if you can get cloth inside or cotton buds etc to clean as much muck off the lens as possible.

Then wait until they're are bone dry.

Once dry, half fill with (uncooked! lol) rice, tape over the hole and give them a good shake for a few minutes. Keep doing so until the lens comes up clean.

As daft as it sounds, this works really well!

Don't know if tiger seal or similar would do the trick? Or if they're a bit ratty buy new ones?Ref the spots, fill them with boiling, soapy water and soak for a bit, empty out and see if you can get cloth inside or cotton buds etc to clean as much muck off the lens as possible. Then wait until they're are bone dry.Once dry, half fill with (uncooked! lol) rice, tape over the hole and give them a good shake for a few minutes. Keep doing so until the lens comes up clean.As daft as it sounds, this works really well!

What also works well is Efferdent Denture Cleaning Tablets.  2-3 tablets per lense. Fill with very hot water let soak, then rinse with Hot water, shake out the liquid, and add the Rice.

To Glue them Back, I would use clear RTV silicone.  It is waterproof, and grime proof.  Vibration resistant and holds up well.  How well you ask?  I had a 25 Gallon Aquarium and it was Glued on the sides with Clear RTV.  I Still have it after 20 years, and it still don't leak.

Clean the area to be glued with Alcohol allow to dry and apply.

 

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll let you know how I got on.

I also had the glass come lose on my headlights, I had to put a cable tie around 1 headlight as it nearly fell off!
The headlights were about 18 years old and on my daily drive, I did buy some new headlights to replace mine as the reflector was looking old and the glass was stone chipped after 200,000 miles on the car.

The new headlights as about £35 a side and they made a huge difference in light out put which really surprised me.

My car is a daily so I do need good headlights during the winter and darker days.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK1-CABRIOLET-CADDY-HEADLAMP-HEADLIGHT-HALOGEN-114941753H-HELLA-OEM-A344-/191146887724?fits=Model%3AGolf&hash=item2c813e0a2c:g:1y4AAOxy63FSsuFA
buy two new ones they are so cheap its not worth a bodge job. hella ones are £37 delivered

Thanks for the tips. In the long term I will replace them but I had to buy a new car before Christmas and had to have my boiler repaired last week which has taken a large chunk of the Golf budget.
I'll have a go at repairing for now.