My "clear" plastic headlight on my 97 F250HD are no longer clear, but are a bit "opaque" I know I can buy new ones from NPD, LMC, etc but I saw a Kit in the NPD catalog that says it can take care of/correct the extact thing I'm talking about. Is it worth trying or should I just go ahead and buy the replacement units. Or is there something I can do to clear them up myself minus the cost of some "kit". Thanks all, Keystonepaul

 

I guess it's just a matter of price versus results. If it's cheaper to buy the kit and you don't mind going thru the motions of using it and it works, then go with the kit.

If you'd rather not chance it and just by replacements, then go with that.

Myself, I'd give the kit a try first. But I've never had to use one before so I don't know for sure how well they work.

 

I think all the clear headlight lenses eventually cloud up on the surface, given enough time, and enough sunlight. We have plenty of sunlight here, and we keep vehicles a long time.

I have been clearing them up for years. I have a couple cans of Turtle Wax Chrome Polish, back from the days when all cars had chromed bumpers. One of the ingredients listed is hydrocarbons.

I fold a paper towel into quarters, and put some polish on the towel. Then scrub an area of the lens. Flip towel inside out, add more polish, continue to new area. Repeat till lens looks pretty clear, then do one last overall pass with a new paper towel with more polish on it. What comes off is yellowish-brown. When it stops coming off, I'm done.

Some people on forums told me what I am doing is WRONG, that the hydrocarbons will destroy the plastic... hasn't happened over 4 different vehicles over quite a few years. They also said that my method would "destroy the anti-yellowing layer of plastic" that supposedly was on the lens originally... uh, what? If the lens surface is turning yellowish-opaque, whatever coating that was applied, if there ever was, is gone anyway!

So I'll just continue doing what I'm doing, about every two years per vehicle in our strong sun environment. To each his own.

 

Thanks folks. Torky I like your logic- it's....logical. I'll be finding me some chrome polish and giving it a go. Thanks again folks. Keystonepaul

 

PEP BOYS sells a lens polishing kit for $19.00. you use your drill, it took me a couple of kits and a couple of hours, but I was able to return the lenses to bright white almost new condition.

 

Spend $3.19 on a bottle of Mother's chrome polish, does just a good of a job as the high dollar kits. All you need to add is a terry cloth rag and elbow grease.

 

I did mine with fine polishing compound, then some chrome polish. They have stayed clear for almost a year now. Its what I had in the garage, and there was more in the garage than in the wallet? Plus I can be cheap.

 

(heres my reply to the same question another person posted...)


as for the dull headlights... you probably have the same problem i had and a lot of others have. i just used a headlight resto kit on them and you can definitely tell the difference. the kit is made by 3M (got at walmart) and comes with everything you need for two headlights... just take your time and follow the instructions... you cant mess it up. i even did the girls car... hers were worse than mine.

heres some before and after pics...





and the girls car...

 

This stuff called Crystal View works really well. I have known a lot of people that used it and were happy with the results.

Headlight Restoration | Headlight Cleaner

 

Thanks folks, Carolina Kid that's exactly what I'm talking about in your pictures and just what i'm looking to accomplish. I'll check Wal-Mart out as well. Keystonepaul

 

What''s even more amazing is the orange is gone from Carolinakids turn signals as well! (g)

 

Go on youtube and search... 3m headlight restoration... there is a complete how to vid on there. Their kit seemed to be the best with what it all included. Take your time and follow the steps correctly and you can't mess it up. I used one kit on the headlights and tail lights of my truck...

 

Oh yea... and if you search for the 3m product online you can see who carries it. I know walmart does and I think one of the major parts stores does as well...

 

I was a polishing fool!

 

I have heard good things about the 3M headlight restoration too.