Polish the headlights!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: B'more
Polish the headlights!
My 13 year old head lamps were heavily oxidized, which of course cut their light output a great deal. I was cleaning some aluminum stuff in the garage, as I walked past the truck with the rag and can of polish in my hand, I decided to try it on the headlamps.
Wow! It worked big time! Headlamps are clear and bright again. I used mother's alum billet polish, but prob any fine cut cleaner would work too.
Wow! It worked big time! Headlamps are clear and bright again. I used mother's alum billet polish, but prob any fine cut cleaner would work too.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
You polished the outside I'm assuming? Wow that's pretty impressive. Never woulda thought of that.
Keep us updated, tell us how it handles the weather and elements and if it has any long term affects.
If you would please, post the price and where you got the stuff, might be a good thing to add to the tech thread.
Keep us updated, tell us how it handles the weather and elements and if it has any long term affects.
If you would please, post the price and where you got the stuff, might be a good thing to add to the tech thread.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: B'more
Well, polishing plastic is not unheard of, I expect that it should be just fine. If the lens oxidizes again, just reapply some polish to clean it up.
You can get the polish at any auto supply place. I wouldn't use anything too aggressive though...
And yes, just the outside of the headlamp housing is what I polished.
You can get the polish at any auto supply place. I wouldn't use anything too aggressive though...
And yes, just the outside of the headlamp housing is what I polished.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
There was a lengthy thread on FTE some time ago addressing cleaning and polishing the headlights on old vehicles. One problem is, the haze always returns and the older the vehicles is, the more sunlight it's seen, the faster the haze seems to come back.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: B'more
That's probably true; mine were so bad I was considering some replacements... If cleaning them restores useability for a few months or so, then the 2 minutes it takes to clean them up again is no big deal to me! YMMV...
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Blytheville, AR
Replacements might be a good idea. You won't have to fool with polishing and you can find a pair inexpensively on eBay. I got clear corners and projector headlights for $150 shipping and all.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill, KS
Last spring I order some "clear plastic cleaner" and "clear plastic polish" from MacGuires and together they work great. My Ranger's headlights were so yellow I couldn't see anything at night...my wife's Windstar had also become very yellow. This stuff cut through the yellowish coating and now they are both pearly white!
With these headlights there is a coating on the outside of the lense that prevents discoloration and as time goes by the coating is slowly worn away and yellow color results. With the polishing discoloration is taken away, just make sure you coat it with some sort of covering (quality wax works well) and the yellowish fog will take longer to come back!
For a 10-15 minute hassle every couple of months is tons cheaper then new lights!
With these headlights there is a coating on the outside of the lense that prevents discoloration and as time goes by the coating is slowly worn away and yellow color results. With the polishing discoloration is taken away, just make sure you coat it with some sort of covering (quality wax works well) and the yellowish fog will take longer to come back!
For a 10-15 minute hassle every couple of months is tons cheaper then new lights!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: B'more
Spending $150 on headlights isn't something I really want to do... especially on my truck! There are other maintenace items that are more deserving of those dollars... You have a much newer truck though...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote