How do I revive the plastic on my headlights

A

airhog

New member
The plastic lens on my headlights has yellowed and fogged over the last few years. What is the best way to restore this to a clear lens again.
 
USE THE SEARCH BUTTON!!



Tape up around the headlights, sand with 1000 grit sand paper, then go back over it with 2000 grit, then polish the headlights with a rotary, then apply a sealant or wax.



Thats how I do it, but there are lots of methods out there. I would not suggest using a rotary unless you are experienced with it, you could melt the plastic with too much heat!



Since this is your first time I would recommend going to your local Autozone and getting some of those buffing wheels that go on your drill and doing it that way, its much safer, but will take much longer.



Hope this helps!
 
There's a few products on the market that will remove oxidation without taking off the protective layer (that protective layer is about 8-10 microns) on the ABS. One of them that I've heard good things about is Pittman's One Step. If you don't want to spend the money on that you can polish them. You don't want to polish new headlights because there's not really a need, but a very fine polish with a finishing pad will make them shine like diamonds. If the lights are already oxidized, that means that protective layer isn't doing it's job anymore so I'd recommend polishing them. Start off with the least abrasive combo and work your way up, just like on a car, but remember that you're polishing plastic so take it slow! After that make sure you put a durable wax (or sealant and wax) on them to give back that missing UV protection.
 
I haven't used this product yet but I have heard nothing but great reviews for it. It is called GlassyLite and I plan on using it soon. My favorite auto mag Sports Compact Car had a really good review on it. I will let people know how it works once I use it.



Amazon.com: GlassyLite: Automotive



I anyone has used it please let me know.
 
Can I use the sandpaper by hand? Should I just put on some normal car wax on after I use the sandpaper or should I try a plastic polish on it first?
 
Clean the headlights

Sand 1000-1500-2000

Polish with a polish or Plastx on a rotary/DA

Apply a wax/sealant with UV protection



Alternative: Buy replacements. :p
 
I've been finding that M105 does a better job than Plast-x. It doesn't need to be worked as hard to leave a fine finish, yet cuts through oxidation just as well.
 
What if the headlight is littered and pitted with 300k miles of road rash? Can that be sanded out, or better to just buy a new lens?
 
qwertydude said:
I've been finding that M105 does a better job than Plast-x. It doesn't need to be worked as hard to leave a fine finish, yet cuts through oxidation just as well.
Click to expand...



I've found that it varies based on the specific headlights.



I tend to use wet sanding, followed by M86 on 3.5 inch orange (rotary), followed by M86 on 3.5 inch white(rotary), followed by 3.5 inch white with PlastX for extra clarity.



Sometimes, I have to step up to M105 before the M86, but sometimes it is not needed.



I definitely have found PlastX to add lots of pure clarity as a final step, though. I never skip that step...
 
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