Clouded Headlight Lenses

[Weasel]

What I did is sand with a pneumatic orbital sander with 600, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit papers to get down past the funky stuff to fresh plastic, then polished to perfect finish, then had them sprayed with an automotive clear at a body shop. (of course as you can see I also had a black candy sprayed on top of that for the smoked look) But I saw them after sprayed with just the clear, looked as clear as brand new!

Even though this is a bit more expensive then the DIY I would think it would last a looong time before fading again, and costs tons less than the new headlight assemblies. (then you can also polish and wax them with the regular paint for upkeep as well)

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by Tomaz

The problem is crazing, microscopic cracks in the plastic. The application of the product fills in the cracks temoprarily, but eventually the plastic dries out again and the cracks reappear. I've had some success with plastic polish and lots of elbow grease, but if the crazing is too deep, it won't work. I believe the crazing is mostly caused by long exposure to sunlight.

This is exactly the problem. My recent visit to the body shop confirmed this. They explained that the only answer is replacement.

[sscaro]

I find that I have to re do a bout every 6-8 months to keep new looking, but I've done it three times and it works great every time.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by sscaro

I find that I have to re do a bout every 6-8 months to keep new looking, but I've done it three times and it works great every time.

You mean reapplying the Crystal View product? I've tried Meguiar's PlastX and BlueMagic's Headlight Lens Restorer, but neither one worked for me. Mine is hazing across the headlight where the protective coating is eroding. I guessed I might just let the protective coating naturally wear away, then buff it up again Just wished they would have stayed with the glass lenses of old, where these types of problems were less prevalent.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

If you still have a warranty, have them replaced. I did.

howd you pull that off? i tried with my service guy to get them replaced he said its "normal wear and tear and are not covered by the warranty" does it have this cited in the CPO guidebook anywhere?

[Quicksilver]

Sorry.....Mine was covered for condensation under factory warranty not CPO.

[LightWerkz]

All headlights eventually get hazey from the sun and other elements.

Condensation is a whole other thing, if your light is leaking, then yes, get it replaced.

But I doubt they would replace it if the lens was just a bit hazey, thats normal.

Try some plastic X.

If you have a rotary, even better. Youll have them looking like new again.

[StartX5]

I have done this all day yesterday! including clean inner condensation and result turned out excellent! Look like almost new headlight.

[Naz24]

hmm cuz when i first got the car it did have headlight condensation, but it magically disappeared.. there still is residue from where the water was on the inside of the lense..good enough reason to be replaced?

[dkl]

There are vents in the headlights, so even new headlights will condensate if there's enough humidity in the air. You only have a problem if the condensation doesn't go away after an hour or so after usage or if it it condensed in water droplet size.