Headlights

[Alstep]

The plastic covering on the headlights of the wife's car are really getting so scuffed up from road dust, that the lights are dim. What's a good way to polish them out to brighten them up?

[RayinNH]

Auto parts stores carry buffing/polishing compound for headlights. I use one by Turtle Wax called "Renew RX Headlight Cleaner & Sealant. I use it three or so times a year to get rid of the haze.

[country gent]

There are several in the auto parts stores. Most are a cream or thin paste. a soft cloth, a dab of the polisher and a lot of rubbing and your good to go. I do it by hand so I don't get burns or swirls showing. Its not hard to do and definitely helps with the light out put.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I seen a youtube video using toothpaste.
I tried it, when that failed, I tried automotive polishing compound, that worked good on the areas that weren't too cloudy, so I upped the game and used Rubbing compound on the worst areas, then finished it with more polishing compound. I didn't use a a power buffer, I did it by hand with a wet sponge, it took about 30 minutes, they aren't like new, but are much better.

[kingstrider]

Makes me miss the old days when headlight bulbs were actual glass instead of plastic.

[NyFirefighter357]

The kit is basically wet/dry sand paper and buffing compound follow link and scroll to bottom half. https://wetdrysandpaper.com/

[facetious]

Some Flitz polish and a cloth wheel in your hand drill will shine them right up.

[BUCKEYE BANDIT]

https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/023400/023400014873.jpg

[NavyVet1959]

Cerium oxide

[Smoke4320]

Cerium oxide

Wear a mask if using
If inhaled will not leave your lungs

[frankenfab]

The headlights on my daughters 2004 Grand Prix were just too far gone. I got a brand new set on eBay for $100, and it took 10 minutes to install them.

[Hickory]

I polished the headlight covers for my wife's car with flitz.
Soft cotton cloth in a circular motion will do it.

[mrvmax]

Whatever you use you need to scrub off the top layer of plastic. Once you do that make sure you spray some clear coat with UV protectant otherwise you will just have the same issue again in a few weeks.

[William Yanda]

Meguiers is another brand

[Finster101]

Look on line for new ones. They can be had for so little now it really isn't worth polishing the old ones.

[44man]

Dealer said the shop wet sands and clear coats them. Mine need done too, will try the kit Carol has or Flitz.

[dragon813gt]

Buy new headlights. Polishing doesn't do much. It ends up being wasted time. I'm glad I have e-codes on my VWs and they all have glass lenses. My truck is almost at the point that I need to buy new headlights for it.

[Freightman]

M e to of course it is a big deal my old 1989 F250 just needs a new one run under it but that aint happning.

[dverna]

Try using OFF insect repellent. It is not perfect, but helps a lot

Don Verna

[10x]

Makes me miss the old days when headlight bulbs were actual glass instead of plastic.

Indeed, The filaments would break on rough gravel roads, and rocks would take out a sealed beam in seconds. I used to carry 2 spare sealed beams in my '57 chev. Not fun to change in the dark but better than driving without any headlights at all.
A neighbor had a stack of burnt out sealed beams headlights piled in a low corner of his yard. On a wet year, the area flooded and they floated out into the woods and onto the low parts of his field. Ah the 1960s.

[NavyVet1959]

Indeed, The filaments would break on rough gravel roads, and rocks would take out a sealed beam in seconds. I used to carry 2 spare sealed beams in my '57 chev. Not fun to change in the dark but better than driving without any headlights at all.

I've owned my pickup for around 13 years and as far as I can remember, I've never had to replace the headlight bulbs. I've probably replaced a couple of the rear brake or license plate lights over the years, but that's about it. The vehicle that I owned for over 10 years before that, I seem to remember replacing a headlight bulb at one time or another. I seem to remember having to replace them more often on vehicles back in the 1970s and 1980s though.

[MT Gianni]

The meter shop where I work uses Mothers polish to polish plastic covers. It works well on most, even those that get hard water spray and a lot of sun.

[jcwit]

I use water, toothpaste, & baking soda, brought mine up to like new, did not use a rag, just the palm of my hand. I then use Meguiar's Headlight Protectant every month, 5 min. job.

But then I didn't wait till the len's were trash either!

[1911sw45]

Deet insect repentant does work. Spray and rub with a cloth.

[jcwit]

Deet insect repentant does work. Spray and rub with a cloth.

Not the greatest idea!

http://www.autopia.org/forums/everything-else/178896-bug-spray-trick-vs-headlight-lens-restoration-products.html


Look all the way down.

[koehn,jim]

I use a polishing compound after 1200 grit wet dry sandpaper, than dry and use clear uv resistant spray paint that is non- yellowing. I did mine a year ago and they still look good. we get a lot of sun here.

[johnson1942]

HUTS plastic polish,after you clean them of grime. makes them better than new. a good gun stock polish also.

[Ehaver]

Heavy rubbing compound, buffer with yellow pad followed by a few coats of automotive wax.

Just take it easy with the buffer and have a spray bottle on hand, keep it moist when polishing and it will come out great.

At least, that's what I do.

[jcwit]

HUTS plastic polish,after you clean them of grime. makes them better than new. a good gun stock polish also.

Just read up on Hut's, will have to try that, any polish that will work on corian will sure work on headlights.

[johnson1942]

HUTS was introduced to me by a owner of a 100,000 acre ranch. he has two small planes to check cattle with. the plactic windshieds of these planes would take a beating with all the bugs and sand we have in the air of the sandhills here. he would restore them to brand new every once in a while with HUTS. they also bring back to new, old sports car plastic rear window. i use it also to rub out the final finish on gun stocks or pistol grips.

[Green Ghost]

Here's how I get my headlights looking close to new- I sand the original UV coating off with wet 200 grit sandpaper followed by wet 400 grit sandpaper in the opposite direction. I then apply a 50/50 mix by volume of mineral spirits and urethane spar varnish. Put one medium heavy coat on. the way it looks wet is exactly how it will look when it dries. One treatment will last over a year.

Jerry

[xs11jack]

Once you get them polished, get a spray can of Rustolum clear coat. It will keep the UV rays from clouding the plastic up again.
Ole Jack

[Minerat]

We got the 2000 Jeep GC's fixed last year and they are just a clear as they where when new. Trouble is it cost me $60K because SWMBO bought a new Overland :o.

I used Maguires up till then and it worked fine for about 6 months.

[WILCO]

Makes me miss the old days when headlight bulbs were actual glass instead of plastic.

http://2040cars.com/_content/cars/images/60/287960/002.jpg

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Makes me miss the old days when headlight bulbs were actual glass instead of plastic.
well, since Wilco quoted you, so will I.

GM put glass sealed beams in my 2000 C2500 'classic'...I thought they quit using those in the late 1980s ? :veryconfu

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/2%20frt%20DRV_zpsnkvmbltn.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/2%20frt%20DRV_zpsnkvmbltn.jpg.html)

[Minerat]

We use to float the old sealed beams down the creek and shoot them. It could be a challenge some times. Probably against the law now.

[Houndog]

Look on line for new ones. They can be had for so little now it really isn't worth polishing the old ones.

This is the best solution! I've used most of the kits and several of the "back alley" methods and NONE of them last very long. Go to Rock Auto Parts on the internet and get new ones for cheap! They are not hard to install and the replacements will last several years.

[jcwit]

This is the best solution! I've used most of the kits and several of the "back alley" methods and NONE of them last very long. Go to Rock Auto Parts on the internet and get new ones for cheap! They are not hard to install and the replacements will last several years.

I can polish mine out many,many times for $300.00.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

This is the best solution! I've used most of the kits and several of the "back alley" methods and NONE of them last very long. Go to Rock Auto Parts on the internet and get new ones for cheap! They are not hard to install and the replacements will last several years.
This seemed like good advice, so I took the 60 seconds to check the price for a pair for my 12 year Toyota ($72 per side), I'll keep polishing mine every spring and save the $150.

[jcwit]

Guess it all depends what one thinks "cheap" is. LOL

I will do the same JonB.

[Beagle333]

I bought this at Target this morning. $9.47 for the box. And it works just like the picture on the package, surprisingly! I like it!!

Here's the box and before/after pics on my 2007 Tundra.

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt214/shutupandjump/1EB21EE7-0062-4830-BEF9-4AF22710F145_zpshwpkce4m.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt214/shutupandjump/72D17AD4-44C7-4B9B-A658-74398BC17CB5_zpsauiovzya.jpg

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt214/shutupandjump/4339650C-5F7F-4B0B-86BF-68C442382CFA_zps1gcqszew.jpg

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Try using OFF insect repellent. It is not perfect, but helps a lot

Don Verna


Deet insect repentant does work. Spray and rub with a cloth.


Not the greatest idea!

http://www.autopia.org/forums/everything-else/178896-bug-spray-trick-vs-headlight-lens-restoration-products.html


Look all the way down.

A few days ago, looking at my "yellowed" plastic headlight lenses on my Toyota, which I posted about previously (the polishing compound treatment lasted about 1 or 2 years?). I decided to read up and try the "DW OFF" (Deep Woods OFF insect spray) treatment.

First, After doing some reading, I learned the oils (or acidic oils) need to be neutralized, I used baking soda and water.

this procedure did work real well removing the yellow haze and did a only a little bit to 'melt' any scratches, the scratches were still there but not nearly as noticeable.

The first lens I "rubbed" with a towel treated with DW OFF in a circular motion, the circular motion was a mistake. The end result of rubbing that way was the lens seemed smeared. Then I sprayed the lens with water, then "powdered" the lens with baking soda, then sprayed lightly with water again, and let sit for a few minutes. Then I rinsed real well, and the plastic was NOT soft and tacky like can happen with this chemical reaction. I then coated the lenses with a good carnuba auto wax.

The second lens, I did much the same, Except I used one, straight wiping motion of the DW OFF treated towel, doing one area of the lens at a time, each time using a new towel that was newly treated. After one wipe of a treated towel, you can feel the sticky melted plastic on the towel, and touching the area of the towel, onto the lens again, just makes a mess. This technique gave a much clearer result.

I guess we'll see how this lasts...it sure was lots easier than 30 minutes to an hour of rubbing with some sort of mild abrasive.

PS, be sure to take measures to not get the DW OFF on the car's paint...I'm not sure if it will melt the paint? but if it would, that'd be bad.

[Lloyd Smale]

I agree. it might help a bit IF your lenses haven't already yellowed but once the sun does the damage that causes them to discolor it usually damaged much deeper then these magic potions will cure. Even if they look better on the surface damage is done to the lenses all the way through and light output will diminish. About all your doing is putting a temporary bandaid on them.
Buy new headlights. Polishing doesn't do much. It ends up being wasted time. I'm glad I have e-codes on my VWs and they all have glass lenses. My truck is almost at the point that I need to buy new headlights for it.

[dragon813gt]

As an update I bought new lights all around for my truck, GMC Canyon, over the weekend. Cost a whole $188 for the headlights, turn signals and tail lights. TYC makes headlights for pretty much every car. The plastic they use doesn't yellow as fast as other brands. I'm sold on the brand after putting one on the Buick Regal we own. Light fit and looks just like the OEM.

[Bo1]

OFF insect repelent
Does really well for a temporary fix



Try using OFF insect repellent. It is not perfect, but helps a lot

Don Verna

[starnbar]

Like others have said if the lights aren't yellowed too bad then you can polish them out fairly good but if they are really bad then replacement is the only option.