Technical > Automotive > [Tech] Plastic head light refinish

[Tech] Plastic head light refinish

They work, but it is short-term at best. The plastic tends to be permanently damaged once it starts to crystallize and gets cloudy like that.

There are several kits available, I really don't think any of them are especially better than the next. You can do about the same thing with a good rubbing compound and a green pot-scrubber pad from 3M.

reply to SparkChaser
I bought some headlight lens restorer liquid from AutoZone and it worked great. Used it on my x-wifes Honda Accord too and it cleaned them right up with just a rag and some elbow grease.

Definitely worth the effort. Can't remember the brand but it's in a black bottle.

reply to SparkChaser
Try spending time with some of the headlight polish, if it doesn't seem to be working then best to remove the lights or mask off the surounding areas and work with different grits of wet sandpaper and work your way to highest grit wet and then use the polish after that.
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reply to SparkChaser
i used the kit they sell up here at canadian tire, 4 different sandpapers and a glaze, got rid of my grand prix cataracts pretty well

reply to SparkChaser
Had a local place do it and it looks like it's still foggy on the inside. They refunded my money since it didn't look much different than me cleaning it myself. I'll have to figure out how to take the head light covers off, and then clean inside. Should look fine then.

Just replace them.

reply to fartness

reply to TA63

reply to SparkChaser
I used Go-Jo hand cleaner and had it worked just fine.

reply to SparkChaser

reply to SparkChaser
Thanks for the comments.

I did think of replacement but didn't price it, yet. Looking on the internet the dealer price is about $340 each. I can get a honda part for $250. I do see them for $100 at some places. I assume these are after market. Not sure I could put it in myself due to back problems. So, I'd have to pay for installation.

I think a $20 bottle of restore is the way to go. If it fails I can look in to replacing. Fortunately, we don't use it a night very much.
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reply to Zatochi

reply to SparkChaser
The kits work for a while. I used the Meguiar's PlastX kit that included a buffer wheel for your drill.

Here's how it went on my 1992 Lexus SC400:

Before: (Didn't get a pic before washing the area)

reply to SparkChaser
I used this kit:

»www.autozone.com/autozone/access···381_0_0_

With fantastic results on my VW. It is a lot of work though. Took me the better part of the morning to complete both headlights.

It's been about 6 months in since I did it and the lights still look like new.

reply to SparkChaser
About 10 years ago my brother wanted to do this with his Ranger. He tried many methods and none seemed to do the job, after some research he found that the South American version used glass lenses that were the same fit. He ordered some off Ebay and they worked fine.
Might be a solution.
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reply to SparkChaser
I've used Novus Plastic Polish on the headlights on my Caravan, using a random orbit polisher/sander. Works pretty good, but really doesn't last.

On my Jeep, I just bought new headlights. $80 for the complete set on eBay... Headlights, turn signals, corner lights....

My van is about $140 for the set...
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reply to SparkChaser

coating on

mixture

reply to SparkChaser
For what it's worth, Consumer Reports tested a few products back in March of this year:
»www.consumerreports.org/cro/head···uide.htm
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