Car Headlights - Cloudy

[Solittle]

Many of todays car headlights get cloudy after a few years. Is there any way to restore that crystal clear transparency? I suspect it is caused by the UV rays from the sun and age but have no clue on how to remove it. It reminds me of the back window of convertible tops or side curtains on a boat.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

wipe with acetone, then polish with a cleaner wax for the plastic that they sell at auto stores,or wall mart, Mothers sells one, works well

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

I believe Meguire's also has a whole "headlamp restoration" system. 2 or 3 steps, but it works. May not get them perfect (depends on how bad they are), but make them a lot better.

 

[Cofe]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

For the time involved, and the expense of cleaners. I have often found new head lights on ebay at a fraction of the cost. My2cents

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

wal-mart sells a kit to fix it. it is a polish with three different sand paper like wipes that get finer and finer. the last one is almost like paper you cant even feel that its sand paper. i used this kit and i could not believe it when i got the first light done. it looked so different than the other one that i did not do yet. it looked brand new. I did the other one and now they look like new lights!!

 

[sstaz]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

Just use a high speed buffer and Maguires extra cut. Makes them look like new and only takes a short time.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

YUP! Mcquires one step. works excellent and you can use it on your boats windsheild.

Get at auto store, about 25 bucks.

 

[ShadowB]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

I buff mine with tooth paste every year, save your self some money it works just as good as the kits. If you have a severe problem get some jeweler's rouge, still a fraction of the cost of a kit.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

Well, ShadowB stole my thunder because I was going to lay the toothpaste answer on you.

A little quicker way is get a 2 dollar can of rubbing compound.

Quicker yet is the Meguiar's PlastX. Don't waste your money on the fancy ball attachment for your drill. Just get the bottle of stuff for about 6 or 7 bucks and rub it on with an old towel.

I never tried the jeweler's rouge but that sounds good too.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

I've heard wiping them with brake fluid will do it, but I have never tried it and don't get it on anything else! Its a good chance if your headlights are a few years old that the reflector is gone as well, its an extremely thin coating of metal and it oxidizes away, if its starting to go, all you can do is replace the light.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

Boil in vinegar for 3 minutes, remove and immediately dip them in gingerale.
Seriously, they can be restored with the correct high speed buffing wheels and compounds, I had a buddy restore some lincoln MkVII headlight covers.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

I did the 3 step kit on mine with wet sandpaper then it comes with a clear liquid sealant.They look new.

The big trucks where i work they use the fine cut polish and high speed buffer...works very well also.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Car Headlights - Cloudy

Glass shops usually do them 15 bones for 1 or 25 for 2....buffed out in 20 minutes like new....some detail places too.....car washes....all around 25 -30 for 2