My 'New' Headlights

[Mike Hewitt]

Well had some time to kill, so I decided to try and clean up my headlights. They were yellowed pretty bad and seemed like they were not projecting light well.

Here's a before pic:



And here's an after pic:



I only have one done, and haven't tried it in the car to see if there is a big difference light wise yet but will when I'm back from Smithers!

Looks 1000 times better to me!

[Sheela krasnuik]

WOW, that is a huge difference.  Good job!!

[Sy Haw Wong]

I am curious.  Whats your secret??

My neighbor used the Meguires lens polish on her BMW and it didn't do as well.

[Ivan Skare]

I'd wet sand with 1500 grit followed by Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish.

[Mike Hewitt]

I am curious.  Whats your secret??

My neighbor used the Meguires lens polish on her BMW and it didn't do as well.

Well I got some good info and tips from a well known source!

I used a scotch bright type pad on the lenses first, then cleaned it off with water. Then wet sanded with 1500 grit, then used a compound that I got.

Half hour-45 min later that was the result! I still got one more to do, so maybe when I'm back I'll do a little write up type thing, pics and all..

[John Hartman]

Very nicely done, looks great!

I will add that if you have access to a professional quality polisher(not random orbital buffer, but polisher) and you know how to use it, you can use it on plastic headlight lenses like this too.  Probably spend more time taking the polisher out, setting up, and putting it away after than actually polishing the lenses 

[Mike Hewitt]

I've thought of this same thing. I have the cheap Princess Auto style polisher but not too sure about using it. I don't know if it would make it look THAT much better or not. As these are the cleanest lenses I've ever had on a DSM. I'm following Sheela's instructions to a 'T' and it's a compound she had and sent to me with some powder coated parts. So it's mostly her work!

The only thing I'm really curious about is should I put some sort of sealant\protect-ant on over top. I have a Super Lacquer clear coat rattle can style that I used when tinting the Laser's headlight lenses. Not sure on how the would react with lighting passing through, or dulling lenses at all.

[John Hartman]

no, do not paint/spray them!!!  It may look great at first but it will flake off over time and look like SHIT!


Use a good quality automotive wax with a uv protector in there.  Then keep applying it a few times a year.  Its the UV rays that cloud/yellow that type of plastic.

Of course rocks hitting it does it no good too, but short of the redneck wire grills over it, nothing is going to work for that.

[Mike Hewitt]

Ok no spray bomb clear! Good to know!

I will pick up some sort of wax on Tuesday. Any suggestions of what to get. Looking for personal experiences there.

And as far as grills go, it's functionality over appearance right? 

[CamWeiss]

http://www.eshine.ca/zymol_vintage_glaze_22oz-2320.php?cat=71

No?


Mothers or Meguiars then, I guess.
I prefer paste wax. Less mess.

[Marke Bailey]

aluminum polish is supposed to work.

[Ivan Skare]

Youd be amazed at how well the Mother's aluminum polish works.

I also second what John said, using a polisher is probably the best method.

[Sheela krasnuik]

no, do not paint/spray them!!!  It may look great at first but it will flake off over time and look like SHIT!


Use a good quality automotive wax with a uv protector in there.  Then keep applying it a few times a year.  Its the UV rays that cloud/yellow that type of plastic.

Of course rocks hitting it does it no good too, but short of the redneck wire grills over it, nothing is going to work for that.

+++1

[Josh Royle]

Im going to be doing this this weekend on my gf new eclipse front headlights.

[Cole MacDonald]

Looks really good Mike!