Cloudy headlights

[hanovertom]

Cloudy headlights! What works? I used one of the 3M kits, seemed ok for a while, now clouding up again. My son used another brand that was even less effective.

 

[Harvey9]

Go on YouTube, several videos there about using Crest toothpaste to clear headlights. Not sure how well this works but may be worth a try.

 

[tomturkey]

the Harbor Freight kit worked good for me. I think redo's are just the nature of old plastic?? gobble

 

[ss55]

Check the directions. In the McGuire kit the new protective coating needs to be reapplied every few months to slow down the yellowing.

 

[SDE]

You tube video. Same guy, with the different methods of cleaning them. He sanded them and then used a spray can of clear coat. Claimed that it is the only permanent fix to the cloudy lens.

 

[Goose]

I've always worked them over with a DA sander with an 800 grit disc until the surface is back down to solid plastic and all of the deterioration removed. Then buff them with a medium buffing compound followed by a buffing with fine finish compound.

But, that's stuff I have in my shop anyway and I've found it works far better than a couple of the fancy kits I've tried. To do a real professional job, it helps to remove the headlight housings from the vehicle. That way you can get all of the edges, etc.

 

[timcasbolt]

I liked glass headlight bulbs better. Even when they did need replacement, which wasn't very often, it only took a few minutes and you were good as new.

 

[Dick2]

Use a drill or sander that spins fast to get a better finish on the lens.

 

[kencombs]

Yep,sand 'em first. I use 600, 1000, 1500 then polish. Urethane clear coat works well, has UV blocker in it which helps prolong the life.

 

[MarkB_MI]

If you used the 3M kit that has different grades of sandpaper that you use with an electric drill, you need to be sure and take off enough material that you're down to fresh plastic. Also, a cordless drill won't spin the disk fast enough to do the job.

If you did it right and the lenses quickly crazed, then I'd say it's time to spring for new headlamps. (Ouch!)

 

[M-MAN]

Lots of stuff works but none of it lasts. UV damages the plastic and some worse than others. If you plan on keeping it replace the lights. The aftermarket ones don't hold up near as well as factory ones but sometimes the cost makes it worthwhile.

 

[bill mart]

just replaced the entire left headlight assembly on my 2002 mercury with one from Taiwan off of ebay. $26 including a new headlight bulb. We will see how long it lasts. Bill

 

[Stephen Newell]

Treat the headlights the same as the paint. Buff with rubbing compound and use a good car wax.

 

[Steve@Advance]

I saw toothpaste used to fix a really sun baked speedometer lens on a Triumph. Looked like new, but wasn't exposed to much sun afterward.

 

[TomH in PA]

Once the factory coating is gone the plastic will cloud over every time.

 

[Delawaresurfman]

My son said DEET bug spray works great. He heard it from the men at work and laughed. They went to a work truck and spayed it on and wiped it off. Cleared right up. He did it on my sister Inlaws car and cleaned them up.
Now I have not seen it in person but I hear it works. The spray we have at work is like 98-99 percent DEET. Not the "OFF" brand that has less DEET.

 

[JL Ray]

I had tied about everything out their on my 1998. Then I tied brake fluid. Haven't touched it since. Proceed on your on here. You have to tape thing off where you don't want it and be careful not to drip it. one clean swipe with a brush. don't go over it twice. It does melt the lenses.

 

[WI Dan]

We did the toothpaste buffing trick two weeks ago. Nothing else - no clear coat, no progressive buffing grit. Makes a world of difference! Probably won't last very long, but it was easy.

My wife just used a rag and wiped on the toothpaste, buffed and rubbed it around for a couple minutes or three, then washed it off with the rest of the car. Only took a couple minutes. I was expecting it to take half an hour on each.