How to Clean your Oxidized Headlights. Under $30

[cpgifford]

Cleaning Oxidized Headlights
(In about 2 Hours, and under $25)
By: cpgifford

• I work at an Auto Parts store and have tried Every product on the market. All are overpriced and may work for a month but then the oxidation comes back slowly. So I set off trying to find a better solution on this subject. This is my write up on how to do it your self and save you money on the "Kits" and new headlights

Before



After

I bought most items at Wal-Mart because they are cheaper on sandpaper.

Items Needed

-400 Grit Wet Sandpaper ($3)
-800 Grit Wet Sandpaper ($3)
-1000 Grit Wet Sandpaper ($3)
-2000 Grit Wet Sandpaper ($3)
-Meguiar's Scratch X 2.0 ($10)

-Water Bucket filled with water

Procedure

1. Removing Headlights.
Post-Facelift
Pre-Facelift

I would only take one out at a time just to be careful.


2. 400 Grit Wet Sanding (~20-30 minutes)



Start by dipping the sandpaper in to water so that you clean the area so the sandpaper can sand away the oxidation. You will notice a change of color in the water and plastic that is coming off of the headlight. Check the sandpaper for plastic caught in the grit and clean it off with the bucket of water.

Make sure you sand evenly across the headlight because you don't want one area to be really clean and another to be kinda hazy.

The water should start out yellowish and turn to a white in color.
Once you get an even overall smoothness or lack of on the surface and the yellow water is gone, then move on to next step

Wipe off any water and trash left on the surface with a towel or cloth.

You will notice the color hazed to be gone and you will see a even haze from the sandpaper.

3. 800 Grit Wet Sanding (~10 Minutes)




This step is to reduce the scratches and scoring from the 400 grit so that you are left with a smooth glossy finished product. You will notice from start to finish that the sandpaper starts out rough meaning you can feel it sanding and by the end you will notice it "Glide" over the area. Once it glides, wipe off the surface and continue to step 4.


4. 1000 Grit Wet Sanding (~10 Minutes)




Same procedure from step 3.

5. 2000 Grit Wet Sanding (~10 Minutes)




Same procedure but instead of continuing on to the next step, make sure after you wipe it off for any oxidation left on the surface. If there is left over oxidation use the 800 to remove and then sand back up to 2000 grit.

6. Polish (~8 Minutes)




For this step, the headlight has got to be dry and clean. I suggest wiping it off and letting it sit for about 5 minutes so the excess water can dry off.

Start by using a little Scratch X (Quarter sized) on a Waxing Pad and slowly work it in to the surface, applying more as needed. This step is important and you need to take your time. The more you polish the more it will look like new.

Once your done with that, Wipe off the excess polish and install it back in the vehicle.
Then move on to the other light.




End Result