Headlights hazy
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Port Murray, NJ
You can use toothpaste on a damp rag and polish out the haze. If it is bad, I have taken 1200 grit wet sandpaper to them and then polished them out. You can also buy plastic polish at the auto parts store. That works well. My gauge cluster was so scratch and stained from the previous owner that I had to wet sand it and then use the plastic polish to get it back into shape.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Kingsland, GA
Think that plastic polish or toothpaste and one of those felt wheels on a Dremel would work? My wife's car's headlights look like poo, but with the car being 6 years old and going out the door in a few months for a new Fusion, I just want them to look nice when I sell it without having to spring for new ones...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,967
Likes: 7
From: Eccles, WV
Just borrow a buffing wheel, and put rubbing compound on it. BE CAREFUL. You want to clean, not burn. That plastic will melt.
Then change the pad and use polishing compound. Made the wife's creeper lights look like new.
Then change the pad and use polishing compound. Made the wife's creeper lights look like new.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 910
Likes: 8
From: West-Central New York
I wet sanded and then clear coated my tail lights on the bronco and it worked fantastically. I was really surprised how well it worked.
Not sure if that would help the headlights but I would imagine it should.
Not sure if that would help the headlights but I would imagine it should.
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
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MO
I used some Meguiars Cleaner Wax on my lights and it acutally cleaned them up pretty well. I was suprised how well it worked. I used it on headlights, tail lights, and even my running lights on the cab. There was a noticeable difference in the clarity of the amber lights on the cab.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Hi group
You can actually clean up any hard plastic if you choose the right product to do the job.
I bought some plastic lenses from my local wrecking yard. They were badly oxidized and scratched. I took out the scratches with fine sandpapers, finishing with 3000 grit. A bit of HAND compounding (to keep down the heat) to remove the sanding marks. I chose Meguiars M84 Compound Power Cleaner because the abrasives break down to a fine rouge and leave only very fine compounding marks.
Since the compounding marks were so small the Meguiars M17 Plastic Cleaner Polish easily removed the rest. Mother's makes a good Plastic Polish to but whatever you use has to have a light cut to it. Just Plastic Polish will not do more than fill and hide the compounding marks - temporarily.
CAUTION: Don't expect water white color and perfect clarity from clear headlight lenses for one reason - you can't polish the inside. The rest will all come out
Visit my website for products.
You can actually clean up any hard plastic if you choose the right product to do the job.
I bought some plastic lenses from my local wrecking yard. They were badly oxidized and scratched. I took out the scratches with fine sandpapers, finishing with 3000 grit. A bit of HAND compounding (to keep down the heat) to remove the sanding marks. I chose Meguiars M84 Compound Power Cleaner because the abrasives break down to a fine rouge and leave only very fine compounding marks.
Since the compounding marks were so small the Meguiars M17 Plastic Cleaner Polish easily removed the rest. Mother's makes a good Plastic Polish to but whatever you use has to have a light cut to it. Just Plastic Polish will not do more than fill and hide the compounding marks - temporarily.
CAUTION: Don't expect water white color and perfect clarity from clear headlight lenses for one reason - you can't polish the inside. The rest will all come out
Visit my website for products.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,415
Likes: 2,911
From: Reed Point, MT
This is great info guys!! Kinda wondering about plastic polishing for something besides headlights....my bike's windscreen. JT, got any ideas? I was thinking about trying brake fluid since the windscreen is nearly impossible to see through anyways and if it got ruined, oh well.
Thanks for the tips!!
Cody
Thanks for the tips!!
Cody
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MO
Originally Posted by cleatus12r
This is great info guys!! Kinda wondering about plastic polishing for something besides headlights....my bike's windscreen. JT, got any ideas? I was thinking about trying brake fluid since the windscreen is nearly impossible to see through anyways and if it got ruined, oh well.
Thanks for the tips!!
Cody
Thanks for the tips!!
Cody
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ProStreetDriver
General Automotive Discussion
1
Mar 31, 2013 08:24 PM