Headlights - clear plastic cover is now hazy

[gbraden]

The clear plastic headlight covers on my '03 Dodge have become hazy. This seems to be a common problem with lots of vehicles of various makes and models.

I first paid a local shop $40 to clean the left headlight cover which was in much worse shape than was the right one. I couldn't tell that it looked any better after he finished. Next, a friend of mine used 3500 grit paper, some sort of paste and lots and lots of elbow grease and got mine to looking pretty sharp again.



My question is:

How to keep the lenses clear?



Anyone know?

Glenn

 

[JJPage]

Harbor Freight sells a 3M lens renewal kit for $7. 00, I used it on my Daughter's Honda, worked real well. Started off wet sanding, then polishing, looked like new.



I have been told polishing with toothpaste works also.

 

[DavidC]

UV rays cause the cloudiness/yellowing. The head lights themselves when on create their own UV rays. I have used 3m finesse-it and a mothers power ball to clear up lenses. I have also used a mild rubbing compound and then finished with finesse-it. If they get bad enough wet sanding with 600 then 1500 then mild rubbing compound and last finesse-it. They can be a full time job. The best you can do is use a UV inhibitor like 303 protectant etc. I use a lot of products from zainostore.com which have UV inhibitors in them such as Z2 and ZCS. It helps but does not eliminate the occasional finesse-it buffing. autogeek.net has a very long thread going on with some people using urethane from Home Depot to restore lenses.

Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum



Dave

 

[Prairie Dog]

I bought new ones from an on-line source. They were chinese but look and fit perfect and were DOT approved. Cost me a total of $104 (total for both) delivered to my house. Time will tell wether they hold up or not but if they only last 5 years I'd be happy.

 

[Newt]

I'm using 303 on my 09. So far so good.

Newt

 

[upsyes]

Amazon.com: 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System: Gateway



Nothing works better. DO NOT use a liquid restorer! Read posts on-line.



I have used these kits on several cars and the lenses are like new when done. Tkes about 15 minutes each headlight. You HAVE to remove the uv damaged yellowed layer of plastic to expose the virgin clear plastic again.

 

[JJPage]

Amazon.com: 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System: Gateway



Nothing works better. DO NOT use a liquid restorer! Read posts on-line.



I have used these kits on several cars and the lenses are like new when done. Tkes about 15 minutes each headlight. You HAVE to remove the uv damaged yellowed layer of plastic to expose the virgin clear plastic again.

Yes, that's exactly what I purchased at Harbor Freight!

 

[TimothyLong]

I used the Rain-X stuff and was not impressed. Don't wast your money on it.