HOW TO: Restore hazed headlights

[kboutsider]

got around to trying this today and the difference is outta this world. never thought and should of taken before and after pics. took a little time but it was well worth it in the end.

 

[InFlames]

did you do the wet sand or what evilmonkey suggested?

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

This is the stuff I use. Works awesome. (Excuse the sideways pic as I'm posting from my phone)

 

[InFlames]

how bad were your lights? mine are pretty bad.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

they were getting pretty cloudy...how bad it is shouldnt matter, its just grime and s*** building up....seriously, just use plenty of this, a soft cloth and some elbow grease and you'll be set...our P5s lights are crystal clear

 

[NCZ13]

they were getting pretty cloudy...how bad it is shouldnt matter, its just grime and s*** building up....seriously, just use plenty of this, a soft cloth and some elbow grease and you'll be set...our P5s lights are crystal clear

actually its not build up.

Yes it is grime, but headlight haze is caused by the layers of plastic breaking down due to UV rays from the sun, and the heat from both the lamp and the sun.

road grime also plays a role.

You have to actually polish out the "dead" layer of plastic. 3m rubbing compound should work, but real correction comes when using a proper machine polisher.

Rubbing compound is to abrasive to not leave its own minor scratches and marks. going over with a finer polish will help remove these marks.

 

[kboutsider]

did you do the wet sand or what evilmonkey suggested?

I wet sanded them followed the OP instructions.

 

[mx-p5]

i tried the stupid kit you get from autozone and my lights are looking worse after just 2 months.

So, i think i'll have one of the local detailer guys do thier magic on them

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

mine come out perfect anytime I do it (dunno) no scratches....Im not doubting you but I use this method so I know it works fine

actually its not build up.

Yes it is grime, but headlight haze is caused by the layers of plastic breaking down due to UV rays from the sun, and the heat from both the lamp and the sun.

road grime also plays a role.

You have to actually polish out the "dead" layer of plastic. 3m rubbing compound should work, but real correction comes when using a proper machine polisher.

Rubbing compound is to abrasive to not leave its own minor scratches and marks. going over with a finer polish will help remove these marks.

 

[NCZ13]

mine come out perfect anytime I do it (dunno) no scratches....Im not doubting you but I use this method so I know it works fine

oh i know what your saying... i can compound my lights and they will look great fine. but then i look extremely close and i can see the marks left behind from the compound. its miniscule status really.

If its what you got, Rubbing compound works just fine. Its plastX that i find to not be sucha great product.

 

[mx-p5]

also, any micro scratches, with HID's, turns into GLARE

So, is there a way to make them PERFECT again and still be able to add a UV coating to help the clearness last?

Already tried the DIY kits form walmart and autozone

 

[NCZ13]

also, any micro scratches, with HID's, turns into GLARE

So, is there a way to make them PERFECT again and still be able to add a UV coating to help the clearness last?

Already tried the DIY kits form walmart and autozone

a synthetic sealant will provide some protection, but there isnt any real way to add a UV layer of protection. Unless there is a clear bra vinyl that has UV protection.


Check out Meguiars 21 synthetic sealant. Its a great product at a great price. This will slow the hazing of the headlight by reducing the road grime factor. Having that layer of protection will provide a barrier between the plastic and the grime.

 

[mx-p5]

will do sir. thank you

 

[mx-p5]

crap, i just bought Plastix. Shoulda reread this thread. looks like i go back to the store after work. I gotta fix the haze before palooza tomorrow

 

[mazdaspeed777]

crap, i just bought Plastix. Shoulda reread this thread. looks like i go back to the store after work. I gotta fix the haze before palooza tomorrow

Whats wrong with Plastix? I used that stuff and it worked great.

 

[mx-p5]

to be used soley to remove haze?

 

[NCZ13]

it will remove the yellowy haze, but it wont be super crystal clear...

the headlight will be less yellow because the abrasives in the polish will be cleaning all the haze out of the scratches, however it wont look brand spanking new because all the scratches will still be there.

 

[mx-p5]

hmm...i got 1000 and 2000 sandpaper and a spray bottle with water.

Do both of those, hten polish? And i don't have any compound pads or anything. All i got are washcloths.

 

[NCZ13]

i have a feeling it will be very hard to remove 2000 grit with plastX alone...

make sure you soak the sandpaper before you use it for at least 10 minutes...

 

[mx-p5]

argh. i won't have time to do it tonight. Hazey headlights for mazdapalooza is FTL