Whats everyone doing about cloudy headlights?????

[cdynaco]

I hate these lens covers. A few years back my buddies Cherokee was so bad it made it hard to see the road. We tried one of the buffer kits with a drill and after repeated attempts it helped some but not all the way. (Hope your results are better.)

So when my Mustang was delivered I had a 3M installer put the clear mask on the front hood and bumper cover, mirrors, fenders, rocker panels (which I LOVE); but he said D.O.T. wouldn't let him apply it to the headlight lenses.

I just bought my first PT Saturday, and the first thing I ordered was the Weathertech tub style "FloorLiner" and "Cargo Liner" in preparation for snowfall. I saw they have "LampGard" so I ordered it also. It states "40mil optically clear" for $54.95. I'll post the results when I get them.

WeatherTech Automotive Accessories - Car Mats, Floor Mats, Cargo Liners, Side Window Deflectors and More

[William_F]

Mine were clouding horribly inside and out. I would say about 90% of mine was exterior so I was able to clear the exterior up pretty easily.

I used Black Magic Head Light Restorer and some some 2000 grit w/ wet sanding. The whole thing cost me about $7.

My wife's truck lights were starting to cloud as well, but I got to it soon enough that just the product with no sanding was enough to clear them up.

[Candyman]

Hey Everyone,

The reason why the Polycarbonate Plastic becomes oxidized is due to a high rate of overall exposure to Ultraviolet Rays with little to no form of protection. Weather it be a good coat of your favorite wax, or paint sealant, you should apply at least one to two coats of protection to your headlights at least every 30 - 60 days.

Once you get to the point where they are oxidized, the coating is started to deteriorate to the point where it needs a more serious form of restoration.

You can correct this issue by way of sanding the area smooth using a progression of fine grade Wet/Dry Sandpaper ranging from 800 - 1000 - 1500 - 2000 grit paper dipped into a bowl of clean water to smooth out the surface, and then apply medium to heavy cut compound to bring the finish back up to a clear new looking lens, however this is only a temporary solution, or cover up to the overall problem as the damage is already done, and over a period time the lens will have to be cleaned once again.

The only true method I have seen that will correct the problem is to sand the lens smooth, and re-shoot a new coat of Clear Acrylic Urethane Paint directly over the lens. Then Color Sand the lens out and finish off with a fine to medium cut compound, glaze, and wx, or paint sealant. Then you will have essentially a newly restored headlight, at which point you can then just follow up regularly with protection and should not have any further problems.

ANyways, go easy, and I will catch yall later.

Candyman

[PetePT]

I recently asked a local guy what he does - they just hit'em lightly with sandpaper then powerbuff them using cutting compound.

Worked like a champ on the exterior, but the inside...

Pete

[darkpt06]

if you have a bottle of scratch-X laying around it shines them up for awhile, i use to use that stuff on my 97 tracer, worked great.

[CYCLONE_06]

I just did another set of PT lenses, as im in the process of painting the inside surrounds body color again. Anyway, i used 800 sandpaper to start, then went to 1000. Then I went and got some 3M heavy cut compound, and I went over the lights about 10 times each, with a mothers power ball on a plug in Mikita drill. The RPMs on the plug drill are faster than a buffer, but the lenses look brand new.

~CYCLONE_06

[probesport]

Flitz and a little bit of elbow grease cured the very hazy lenses on my PT. It only took a few minutes of buffing and they were looking fantastic.

[ChattaBenji]

I just bought some Meguiars PlastX but it turns out most of the problem is on the inside. I cannot find any info on how to remove the headlight covers, and I don't have a manual.

Anyone know?

Thanks!

[CYCLONE_06]

Yup, put em in the oven for 8 minutes at 250 degrees. Then unclip the clips and pull em apart. Work quickly tho, and wear oven mitts or something to keep from gettin burned.

~CYCLONE_06

[seadooboy]

So in talking with the Walmart head lamp guy and te reading I have done on the net states that polishing the lamps away is not permanent. Walmart guy says they will start to yellow again in 6-12 months. On the net (and yes I forgot the link), it states when lamps are new they have a protective coating sprayed on them to prevent yellowing. As you drive your car rocks, sand and road grime bounce off the lights causing this coating to wear away. Your lamp surface also becomes pitted increasing surface area of your lamp, light distortion and yellowing/fogging.

So has anyone straight out replaced their head lamps? I have found where I can get them for about $80 a side. My question is how long does it take. It looks like the bumper cover need to come off, not sure what comes off after that.


Thanks