Taking oxidation off headlight covers
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From: Dark side of the sun.
Taking oxidation off headlight covers
I got a new silverstar bulb because stock is just not enough,well,put it in the passenger side and hit the switch,I thought I left the stock bulb in. Could'nt tell a difference. The stock was dark as well,How do I take the oxidation off these covers? Thanks.
Cargo Master
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plastic can be polished, using soft metal polishes like Flitz or a what I did on a motorcycle lens, sand with 1000 wet/dry sandpaper using soap and water, then buffing with rubbing compound and then polishing compound.
It takes time and I'd concider just replacing the lens.
I've found some on ebay, but they aren't that cheap and they will fade just like yours did.
If the surface is rough to the touch, you might want to start with 600 or 800 grit paper, and all you want to do is get to a smooth surface, then the rubbing compound takes over making it clear again.
I use 3M automotive liquid rubbing compound and a professional buffer / polisher, but a good drill at about 1800~2000 rpm should do the trick too. It takes time thou...
It takes time and I'd concider just replacing the lens.
I've found some on ebay, but they aren't that cheap and they will fade just like yours did.
If the surface is rough to the touch, you might want to start with 600 or 800 grit paper, and all you want to do is get to a smooth surface, then the rubbing compound takes over making it clear again.
I use 3M automotive liquid rubbing compound and a professional buffer / polisher, but a good drill at about 1800~2000 rpm should do the trick too. It takes time thou...
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A friend said rub turtle wax on them real good,and It should take the oxidation off. I did,and it worked a little. Not enough to count though. Theres water inside the lens and I'm hoping I don't have to pull the lens off to get the water out.
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I had the same problem, yeah, nothing really works, i wish ford would come out with some glass lenes for our year. I ended up replacing them. - it was not cheap, but now i get wonderful sight. it's like over 40 times brighter
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You can get Diamond Cut headlights off eBay for ~$100. They don't get ugly like stock ones do.
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As far as the oxidation goes karljay is right I have done lots of headlights that way. You might even ask at the auto parts store they actually make a kit just for doing headlights. If you don't find them at the parts store you might ask a salvage. I know quite a few salvages that list online use the kits on all their headlights so that they can list them as great condition and get top dollar.
As far as the turtle wax is concerned (or any good car wax) although not to good at removing oxidation if you do wet sand them and buff them out once you get them where you are happy with them, put several coats of wax on them and they will stay that way a lot longer. As a matter of fact, wax the lenses everytime you wax your car.
By the way, that goes for ANY plastic headlights! If they are made of plastic and sit in the sun unprotected they will oxidize. You have to remember most of these lenses we are talking about have been in the sun 10+ years!!
As far as the turtle wax is concerned (or any good car wax) although not to good at removing oxidation if you do wet sand them and buff them out once you get them where you are happy with them, put several coats of wax on them and they will stay that way a lot longer. As a matter of fact, wax the lenses everytime you wax your car.
By the way, that goes for ANY plastic headlights! If they are made of plastic and sit in the sun unprotected they will oxidize. You have to remember most of these lenses we are talking about have been in the sun 10+ years!!
Last edited by jughead2; Feb 3, 2005 at 08:38 PM.
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The stock lenses are made of Lexan plastic which gets really bad with the sunrays. Diamond lenses are different plastic. Sure, they get ugly, but not AS ugly and it takes for ever. Example: My cousin has a 95 Lincoln Towncar with stock diamond clear lenses...All they have is maybe bug splatter and some dirt, which I'm sure can be cleaned off.
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Ok,What about the inside of the lens? Theres water in there as well. I hear putting windex in will dry it up,but how would I get the windex out if I leave the lens on?I can tell they need re-aligned when I can see trees instead of the road.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Ohio
You should just go get 2 other headlights out of a junkyard & make sure they are still sealed with a bulb ,i had water in the headlights of my 87 f150 & it got so bad it seems like i was replacing bulbs every other week & you will notice the difference right away,i never realized how bad mine were until i put the other ones on. Lucky me i only have water in the passenger side light of the truck im working on now.
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as far as water goes, drill a small drain hole at the bottom and reseal the top with clear RTV.
I like the look of those eBay diamond lights, BUT they don't fit the 88 models. I'm looking for some that do fit as dull plastic really make the truck look old and sad. I might end up finding something the same size or smaller and see if I can make it fit.
I like the look of those eBay diamond lights, BUT they don't fit the 88 models. I'm looking for some that do fit as dull plastic really make the truck look old and sad. I might end up finding something the same size or smaller and see if I can make it fit.