This is nothing new, and maybe even a repeat here (although a quick search yielded nothing) regarding headlamp/headlight restoration. After doing much readup on the 'net, I decided to "practice" my newly learned skills. Since MY truck was too new I opted to "experiment" on my sister's aging '96 Mustang. Her car is mainly kept outdoors so the years of sunlight (and poor paint care) have taken it's toll. I just wanted to share w/ the forum what a little hope, patience and time can do. If your headlights/lamps look like this, there may be a chance to still get them looking new before you toss them out the window!!!


Picture #1 - Before Here we can clearly see the signs of aging polycarbonate lenses...the yellowish tint and some form of "peeling" film that wouldn't wash off. The lense surface was rough and felt like a fine grain sandpaper. Light output was pretty crappy and it didn't look too hot either.


Picture #2 - After Here we can clearly see the yellowish tint is gone, and the optical clarity to the lense has been restored. This was achieved by using a 1500 grit wet sand paper to remove all of the scuffs, mars, scratches, gouges, pits, and yellow spots. I kept sanding till the lense felt smooth to the touch. The lenses are fairly thick, so they can take quite a bit of sanding to get the results you want w/o removing TOO much material. I followed the wet sand with a quick wash and dry. At this point, you're left with a "hazy" looking lense. But the benefit here is that the hazyness is the result of micro-maring left by the sandpaper that is easily removed w/some polishing. Using a quality plastic polish (scratch remover) like Meguiars PlastX or in my case Blue Coral's Plastic Polish, a quick buff by hand yielded the above results. Topping the plastic polish w/ a metal polish (like Mothers Mag & Chrome Polish) didn't yield much benefit, however, if you don't have the plastic polish, the metal polish will yeild similar results.

Tony

Edit: Fixed my poor spelling and grammar usage...that's what happens when you're posting stuff late at night.

 

Great job! They look 100% better.

 

Excellent write up Tony!

 

is the Meguires an abrasive or chemical polish?

 

According to Meguiar's website PlastX uses a Microscopic Diminishing Abrasive Technology (MDAT). I'd guess that means it's an abrasive and not a chemical polish. I'll let RP chime in now.

Tony

 

Both.

Plastx utilizes a dimishing microscopic abrasive that will basically break down to nothing. The abrasive that is in this product is different from what's present in their polishes to my recollection.

Further, as I recall from the class back in April, it does have some chemically agressive ingredients that help out with the clarity aspect.

RP

 

I used Flitz polish and their buffing ball (goes in a drill) to do my neighbor's mustang lenses. Took @ 10 minutes and did a great job. Only had to do the very edges by hand. This stuff is also supposed to leave a protective coat to prevent further hazing. We'll see.
Rich

 

I know that Eastwood sells a kit that refurb's lenses, but I have only used two things personally: Simichrome metal polish, followed by Meguiars Clear Coat Body Scrub. Have done several headlight lenses that started out much worse than the before pics above, and ended up with the same or better results than the after pics. Not flaming, just sharing results using different products.

SL

 

I would only polish plastic headlights lens when they really need it only, because new cars now days have a "protection seal" that protects the plastic lens from Uv damage and scratching. What kind of a protective seal the newer cars have I have no ideal, only thing I know is what I have read.

Headlight lens I know cost a arm & leg, there is a plastic film that you can apply over the lens. I think its called rockguard, and 3m makes a film also. I heard that plastic film like Rockguard works great protesting from rock chips and you can't hardy see it there on the paint only when you get close to it.

 

Well the car is going on the "For Sale" block in the next month or so. She's got a new 2005 Mustang GT on order. I was just helping out as much as possible so that she can get a decent sale price. Cosmetically, the lenses are nothing compared to other things like the interior, and engine. Those need lots of TLC...more than what I was willing to give her for free. The lens restoration was an experiment on her car not mine!

Tony