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Headlight plastic

11K views 20 replies 14 participants last post by  coup 
#1 ·
Hi.

I've taken my car up to have the headlights aligned before taking it up for MOT later in the month.
He said I should take it to body repair garage and ask them to buff the headlight plastic because my pattern was unreadable and he couldn't set them.

The plastic is pretty grimey and I've already tried to clean it as best I can with all sorts of cleaners.

Has anyone had a similar situation that can give me some tips on how to clean it?

Many thanks.
 
#2 ·
The fella's right, you need them buffed.
The clouding you have cant be 'cleaned' off in the normal sense

You really need a dual action or rotary polisher and some polish, you can buff them back to clear in about 5 mins a side.
You could have a go by hand i guess with an applicator sponge but i've never tried it, it may take a while.

I use two grades of polish, both meguires just different 'cut' grades. Do the coarser one first then the finer one (on my granda's '99 Focus) and it works just fine, only last's about 18 months though. I just do it again.
I'm sure some detailing nuts will have a more in depth procedure and may seal it with another product but my way will acheive what you need to achieve with minimal fuss.
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the replies guys.

So far I've used:
  1. Toothpaste.
  2. Nail Polish Remover.
  3. Acetone.
  4. T-Cut.
  5. Brasso / Silvo.

I was going to try some industrial multi-purpose cleaner next. But, I've got a drill and sander, and see that you can buy "polishing/buffer" pads which might be a solid option.
 
#10 ·
If you look on Utube there are a number of vids showing the cleaning or demisting of headlights as well as the application of a film to protect them thereafter. Most of the guys say that if you just check on them once or so a year you can redo them before they get too bad again.
 
#13 ·
I dont know if you have solved the problem yet or not. But recently I had to remove a nasty big and deep scuff on a headlamp lens for on a friends car and used a product from eBay for restoring headlamps. Used it as per the instructions given by the seller and it worked amazingly. The lens was really badly scuffed that I was told by many that it wont come out 100%. But after a few applications of this product, it has become 100% restored.

The link for the product is here

Hope this helps.
 
#18 ·
I have now polished the plastic with toothpaste, it has done a good job, and did not take very long, about 20 minutes each side.
I am thinking of sealing the finish with 'Johnsons' 'Klear' liquid, this is usually sold for use on kitchen floors, but is used by myself and other model makers to obtain an extra clear finish on the clear plastic cockpit canopies of plastic model aircraft.
Has anyone else tried this on a car?
Thanks again for all the advice.
 
#21 ·
The lamps come with a lacquer as new..
Unless your a SMART agent like Paul^ anything involving spraying can be tricky.

The lacquer is gone now with scratches and mild abrasives.I find Brasso/Silvo and jewellers rouge the best.
Try a hard car polish like simoniz or similar,maybe test it on a small area for a few weeks first to ensure you dont get any discolouration.
Then there are products like aquawax,polish while washing and use a chamois ,might be good also.

A floor polish.while it might work isnt designed for outdoor use or for use on clear plastic lenses.
 
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