Clean Headlights!
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New User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: El Paso, TX
Clean Headlights!
Ok, so I did some research to see how I could get my headlights looking new again. I had thought about just buying new ones until I found out that you can get them cleaned. So I searched the internet to see what I had to buy or if I could find a how to guide. I ran into an old forum http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulleti...&threadid=1888 There, they talked about cleaning their headlights by wet-sanding them and using rubbing compound to get rid of the scratches. Then finishing up by using plastic polishers. Well that sounded good but there are a few questions I have before following this procedure. First of all, I don't have an air buffer so I don't know what to use or how to do it by hand. Is that stuff hard to take off? What do I use to remove the rubbing compound? Has anyone tried this or another procedure as to polishing headlights? What do you recommend? The headlights look pretty old and I think would make my truck look newer even though its a 95. I'll try to post some pictures later.
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
This is what I did to my '92 E150.. I have some old turtle wax rubbing compound in a tub. I took some blue shop towels and rubbed it into the lens, and then buffed it clean.. The result was about a 50% improvement..
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New User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: El Paso, TX
Ok, well if it doesn't work I could always buy those diamond ones too. But just to try it out before spending $90, how do you remove rubbing compound if you don't have an air buffer?
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Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
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I got new replacement headlights off of ebay for about 50 bucks. Here is an auction listing for some. 7980938891 You can just type that number in the search window on ebay. They look just like stock. I decided to go with them insead of the the diamond ones. I think it looks better. Those crystal clear ones always show scratches, pits, and bug stains.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: El Paso, TX
Ok, this might sound like a stupid question but I've never done anything like this before so could you please explain to me how to buff it out by hand. I'm not sure of what tools I need to do this... sand paper, water, or what? Thanks everyone!
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
When I did mine, I took a blue shop towel, bought in a roll from autozone, got some of the compound on the towel, and then rubbed it into the lens. I then took a clean towel and just used a circular motion to get the excess off, and polish the lens.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: El Paso, TX
Wow, it's that easy huh? Thanks a bunch! I'll have to post my before and after pictures on here... maybe I won't have to spend so much on clean headlights after all. Thanks again!!
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
Heres what I did:
-Wet sandpaper (fine...1500 grit I think)
-TurtleWax rubbing compoud ( i used a piece of cotton cloth)
-Blue Magic Polish (polished with cotton cloth)
I did this only by hand...It works pretty good.
-Wet sandpaper (fine...1500 grit I think)
-TurtleWax rubbing compoud ( i used a piece of cotton cloth)
-Blue Magic Polish (polished with cotton cloth)
I did this only by hand...It works pretty good.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: South Dakota
A drill with a polishing pad you can pick up from a parts house or major department store. Start with medium pressure then go light pressure for finishing. And yes about twice a year. Basically if they start to yellow, replace.
Postmaster
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
Here is a pic of my lights(there's more in my gallery). Its been about 5-6 months since I cleaned them:
As you can see, the front is pretty clean, but around the edges there is some 'yellowing' that I could not get.
As you can see, the front is pretty clean, but around the edges there is some 'yellowing' that I could not get.