what is this crap on my headlight?!

[Robot Romeo]

ok, so i just finished painting my headlights. i had got some glue on the outside of the lens so i got some "goof-off", a solvent, and cleaned off the glue. no problem. then i went to over to the other headlight and wiped it down real quick and part of the headlight fogged up!

i noticed that there has always been a weird overspray on that headlight, like a clear coat. you could barely notice it, but when the goof-off touched it, it immediatley reacted with it and fogged up. i tried using toothpaste to take is off, but i don't think it worked.

so is there anything i can do to salvage this light? is there a way to buff it out? if not can i buy just the outer part of the headlight from mazda?

man, i'm an idiot.

 

[MP5_509]

I unfortunately cant help, but my gfs 2003 Corolla S has the same problem. I thought she had put some wierd cleaner on her lights but she hadnt. Hopefully someone will help you and it will help her headlights as well.

 

[Robot Romeo]

thanks for the reply, hopefully someone will drop some klnowledge on us.

 

[mazdaspeedpower]

thats messed up man.,

 

[Robot Romeo]

thats messed up man.,

i know, i should of just walked away after the job was done, but i tried to clean the headlight and screwed it all up.

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

Hey, as off as it may sound Ive had paintball lenses do EXACTLY that if I used any type of goo off or the like. On the paintball lenses its actually an outer film or something that doesnt react well with the cleaners, id be willing to bet its something similar on the lense...

 

[toucci]

it should polish out with some plastic polish

 

[nautical2086]

sure its not tree sap or anything like that?

 

[L8R]

i have that too man.

a lot of people in hawaii get that on their headlights...
my friend tried buffing, polishing, the whole sha-bang...

sorry to say, that wont come off.
i heard that metal polish removes it, but i cant say for sure.

good luck

 

[Robot Romeo]

i'm postive its not tree sap. it looked like overstrap from something. its on my paint too, you just can't see it, it just feels a little rough.

i have some aluminum/mag polish i used to polish my radiator cap. should i try that?

 

[wipedawg]

i would second the idea of plastic polish.. that stuff has worked wonders for me in the past

 

[SubXer0]

if that doesn't work wet sand the area with like1000-1500 grit sad paper then use some rubbing compound to eliminate the scratches then buff it out with car wax...sounds crazy but it works i've done it many times on my cars same concept as when peoples headlights "yellow" over thats how you get that off and make them clear again
hope that helps
peace
dante

 

[Robot Romeo]

all of this is great advice. i'll try it out. thanks.

 

[Robot Romeo]

where can you buy "plastic polish"? at any autozone/kragen/pepboys place? is it different than the aluminum/mag polish i'm using right now?

 

[SubXer0]

yeah auto zone should have it

 

[BradC]

McGuires (sp??) makes a 2 or 3 step plastic polish/cleaner. Supposed to be great for restoring lights, conv. top windows, etc...

 

[Robot Romeo]

McGuires (sp??) makes a 2 or 3 step plastic polish/cleaner. Supposed to be great for restoring lights, conv. top windows, etc...

excellent. i'll check it this week. thanks for all the help.

 

[neoshade]

I've used a couple of chemicals to clean my headlights in the past that work great. Start with what you have, or the less aggressive, and work up, spot testing first.

In order of "Harshness" (but not necessarily effectiveness!)

Motsenbocker's Lift-Off - This stuff is amazing. They make several different products, Lift-Off #1-4 being the most popular. These household products are very safe for their strength, and their documentation is very thorough. The #1 Food stain remover will make a red wine spill disappear instantly, using enzymes or something. Ever notice that there is a permanent outline of your wipers on your windshield? Water beads differently here. This is built up road tar and grease that is very difficult to get off. The Lift-Off #2 is a Grease Remover. With a bit of rubbing, it's the only thing that I can find that takes it off, and also acts like Rain-X for awhile. Prob bad for paint tho, so clean well afterward.
Pick up a sample pack at Home Depot or similar, and try the #2 and #3.
http://www.liftoffinc.com/product-stain-remover-kit.php

Gojo Hand Cleaner - an excellent and skin-safe cleaner with a soft pumice. The pumice in some versions of Gojo may me too rough, but it remains one of the best "safe" cleaners you can find. I use it to remove marks where many products will hurt the paint or finish.


Carbo-Sol - a residue-less cleaner that works great on anything without a paint or finish. Similar to alcohol, but much stronger, will weaken plastic. For Headlights, wipe on quickly with a towel that won't fray, like a tight microfiber. Removes scratches and polishes the lens clear in a few seconds. Be careful not to dig into the plastic though. Quick-short wet buff. Works amazing. Also great on upholstery.

Brake Cleaner - Another residue-less cleaner with a very high-vapor pressure (evaporates in a 2-3 sec). Designed to remove all oils from brake parts, this stuff will clean anything. Gets off tar and gue instantly. CAUTION - will break down some soft plastics very very completely. Once used to clean a cell phone. Within 20 mins afterward, the phone fell to pieces, literally. Just crumbled. Headlight Acrylic is not affected in this way, so its fine. Just be aware of the phone in your pocket, or using around other sensitive items.

 

[Juleehen]

When i wet sanded my headlights, i used a polish called PlastX. It is a plastic polish that i found at my local Canadian Tire. I read about it in other forums and people in the US had the same product at local stores (like autozone i think)
After 3 hours of hard work (sand, polish and wax), my headlights looked like new ! I don't know if it could fix your problem but like others already said, it's worth a try !

 

[raserx]

Yes, PlastX is by Meguiars and is available at any auto store. It works great but be prepared to use some elbow grease !