Headlights

[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/everyt...-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 .

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.

[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 ?

[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.