RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I totally agree with rbdeli, cooking spray works. I ran out of ideas on what to use so I took his advice and it really did work for me. It's only oil, so if it doesn't work. It's not like it'll ruin your headlights, just wash it off. I also agree that the BlueMagic headlight restoration creme does! Complete waste of money.
Posted on 06/25/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
pam cooking spray is what worked best for me.
it's oil, folks. Completely harmless. If you don't like the results, wash it off with soap and water.
After reading this board, I spent hours trying to get the headlights on my BMW 540i looking like new. Finally, I said, 'what the heck' and sprayed on pam cooking oil. They look like new. My wife came out and looked and was amazed.
My guess is there are a couple competing interests with people selling expensive products on this board. My other guess is that there are a couple of different causes for foggy headlights. What works for some won't work for all. The PAM cooking oil simply lubricates the cracks, making the lenses new, shiny and transparent again. It works and it's easy to re-apply as needed.
The $7.00 I spent on BlueMagic headlight restorer was a complete waste of money.
Posted on 03/30/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Nothing is going to work as well as replacing your headlights of coarse. I do the sanding, polishing, and clear coat at my job, it works great, how long it lasts depends on many factors, but if you just buy the stuff yourself not in kit form for about 30 to 40 bucks you will have a 5 to 10 year supply I am sure. All you will have to do is eventually clean, polish and put more clear coat on them. Just remember to get wet sandpaper some 1500 and 2000 grit.
Posted on 02/04/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Its true Meguires is not a good option, Far too much labor involved with limited results, in addition you have to repeat the process every week or so. Plastix is no better.
Any type of sandpaper wet or dry no matter what grit, should never be used as a cleaning method to remove oxidation from transparent or light projecting plastic lens, no matter what you may have read in some of these biased internet auto forums.
They are generally sponsored by wax companies and serve to promote their product lines. All abrasive cleaners damage the surface of the headlights, polish is included in this group. The key words in safe effective headlight oxidation removal is NON ABRASIVE. If its not pure liquid, its not non abrasive.
Posted on 01/06/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Here's what I do, it's simple and it works!
1. Use rubbing compound (Cheap)
2. Use polishing compound (Cheap)
3. Use Meguiar's PlastX (About $8 - Optional)
You can see at night again!
Posted on 12/27/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
(submitted via email)
I suspect this post is a commercial. Based upon my experience, the claim for Meguair's is a total lie. I bought it at NAPA.
The product I bought at Advance Auto is also extremely disappointing, but at least they do not post a lie on your website. They both contain abrasives - very fine grit sandpaper. I suspect that I have ruined the lenses.
H Boykin
Posted on 12/19/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
The best stuff to use is Meguair's Plastix polish. I am a complete car buff and use top of the line waxes such as zymol, meguiar's, blue coral, etc.. to keep my vehicles spotless. I applied the "plastic" polish to my friend's headlight that was completely yellowed like a stick of butter. It made the headlight 400 times better but it does not make it look completely new. If you want to try a cheap fix, use the plastix. They sell it at auto parts stores and even at walmart for 6 bucks. If you want your car looking show quality and you have really damaged headlights you will probably have to buy new lights. The plastic rubbed on and off about 3 to 4 times makes a HUGE world of difference.
Posted on 11/04/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
For how long do the results from an initial treatment of Pittman's last?
Posted on 08/23/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I tried using Mothers PowerPlastic plastic polish. It did not help in removing the water spots or oxidation that built up due to the sprinkler.
Posted on 08/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I can tell you what does not work on plastic.
Sandpaper, rubbing compounds, and Pam.
All have side effect that are worse than the oxidation itself.
And toothpaste only works on glass.
Posted on 08/12/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Yup cooking spray did the trick :0) I bought the brand name stuff and it just made a cloudy mess but it looked instantly better with the cooking spray. I carry oil, power steering fluid & now cooking spray!
Posted on 07/22/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Here in the UK we found a product from America called Pittman's ALR.
It is truly an amazing product. My cousin introduced it to our car club and within a half of a hour we actually cleaned the lens on 20 cars out of one 1/2 ounce vial. Four of the lens it cleaned were actually solid brown. Now you would never know. They look New. a couple of members had used an abrasive headlight cleaning kit on their lens, they were scratched up so bad we could not help them. Pittman's removed the oxidation but the scratches were still there. My cousin and I ordered more and now we both make a nice second income restoring oxidized headlights with Pittman's ALR.
Posted on 07/09/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Toothpaste with baking soda used it on my bmw 540i works great but as soon as u put it on wipe it of fast in a circular movement.
Posted on 05/29/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I live in Germany. I ordered Pittman's on line and the stuff worked like a charm. The oxidation on my lens had turned brown!
A few drops of Pittman's cleared them up in a few seconds with no damage to the lens or mess to clean up and I still got a almost a full vial left.
Posted on 05/16/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Used the Permatex kit and it is work. Not enough sandpaper in the kit, it takes 4 hrs not 30 minutes and it does not do a good job.
Posted on 05/14/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
A friend told me to brake fluid and it works but only for a while. Later a friend told me to try McGuirres PlasticX it also worked very well just follow the instructions and wa la, clear plastic headlights it only cost about $7 bucks very cheap!
Posted on 05/03/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
belive it or not chery koolaid works well no buffing...just apply let sit about half hour and wipe off with a damp rag,wala! no more foggy headlights
Posted on 03/24/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
That dullness comes from oxidation.
Use a non abrasive deoxidizer to clean them up.
TIP: Put a little cleaner on your fingers and rub them together
If you feel anything other than your fingerprints it is not non abrasive.
Paste and polish are abrasive.
Posted on 02/20/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Keep in mind that modern headlights are plastic.
Plastic scratches pretty easily. Whats the good of taking off the film if you ruin the face of the lens while doing so?
There are a lot of available choices. Choose carefully.
A word to the wise is to avoid any method that involves sandpaper.
Posted on 01/27/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
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By the pool guy (Guest Post)
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Acid and water with tee shirt. Nuff said....
Don't buy any of that crap and tell the makers of these stupid head lights to change them back to glass.
Posted on 01/24/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
"The liquid will not remove the clear coat on the lens. I think that i was taken for a ride."
I would advise you to read ads carefully. Pittmans advertises One Step as a de oxidizer. No where in their ads does it claim to remove anything other than oxidation.
"GUARANTEED NOT TO DAMAGE THE UV LAYER OR LENS SURFACE
NO OTHER HEADLIGHT CLEANING SYSTEM CAN MAKE THAT CLAIM"
Their reviews indicate a high degree of satisfied customers, of which I am one.
Posted on 01/16/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
"I purchased the pitam'ns system. It did not worked at all. The liquid will not remove the clear coat on the lens. I think that i was taken for a ride."
It helps to read. It's a de oxidizer, the description tells you in bold letters it only removes oxidation and it won't work on headlights with sealers on them.
Posted on 01/09/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
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By whitejack (Guest Post)
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Is using Pam some sort of a urban joke? I tried Pam.....big mistake.
Posted on 01/09/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Don't waste your money on Lensrenew. I have done body work for years and the lensrenew system is nothing more than old body work techniques that work on paint. After about a hour of applications and one scratch clouded lens later I sent the product back. They tried to tell me I did not follow instructions. I told them I work with the same body repair tools and compounds every day so there was nothing special about their headlight kit and that was not the case. That was over 2 months ago. I am still waiting on my refund.
Posted on 01/09/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I just went through about 30b ucks worth of crapola to clear up my headlight lenses. Then I found this website and holly s#%* PAM, who would have guessed. Don't know how long it will last but I bet my wife wont miss it for awhile and there is plenty of room in the explorer for it. Thanks Guys.
Posted on 12/03/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I purchased the pitam'ns system. It did not worked at all. The liquid will not remove the clear coat on the lens. I think that i was taken for a ride.
Brake fluid works as good as that product. That's what is probably in there. Anyways, I purchased lensrenew. It does take a little bit of patience, but the lenses look great.
Posted on 12/01/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
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By Gary Dent (Guest Post)
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I had a company who said they could remove the micro-cracks in my plastic lens covers on my 1999 Jeep. First they used a very fine emery cloth and some type of polish. When they were done, they "painted" the lens with a clear paint. It looked OK, but now some months later, the lens show the brush marks of the clear paint and it is a lot worse than when I started. I have found some after market headlights on Ebay for only $29 each side. I would recommend replacing bad headlight lens. You will be money ahead.
Posted on 11/27/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
A few months back I bought a kit to clean my lens.
They looked great for a couple of months then I notice the sealant on the lens was begining to yellow a bit. Its been four months and there are places where the sealant has begun to chip and peel off. I contacted the company about their 5 yr guarantee and found out that their guarantee only covered the products usefullness. In other words it was their products expiration date. Then they told me my problem was likely caused by the user not following the kits instructions. Long story short /I had to buy new headlights lens.
Posted on 10/16/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I agree about the pam messing up the lens. I know a guy who messed up his girlfriends car with some pam.
I too would look for something designed specifically for removing oxidation from automotive headlights. $200.00 is a lot of cash to spend on replacing headlights damaged with pam or sandpaper.
Posted on 10/14/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
The Pam trick will only make the Lens worst due to the oils in it cooking from the bulb heat. In time it will yellow so bad you wont be able to save it with Brillo :P. my recommendation is to use a cleaner or solvent made for that type of lens and make sure the Product list that type as a safety measure. A Pair will only cost you less than 200.00 dollars at some places, may be worth it to make your car look its best for another 4 years :)
Posted on 10/12/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
You could have saved yourself time and money if you had used Pittman's One Step ALR. Its designed to remove oxidation from acrylic, polycarbonate, and plastic lens on contact without damaging the UV layer or the lens.
Posted on 10/02/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
The Acetone Nail polish remover was a big mistake! Yes it took off the oxidation but also removed the top layer of plastic which leaves the lens more dull and streaked!
DO NOT USE ACETONE NAIL POLISH REMOVER!
cheapskate#2
Posted on 09/24/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Some of the above ideas may work. I do not endorse the use of a degreaser (which is what the kitchen sprays are essentially made of). I know that toothpaste will make them worse in the long run.
Of course most will admit that sandpaper is the worst thing that can happen to the protective UV layer, which covers the lens.
Depending on the cost of replacement I would not experiment on expensive projector lens covers.
If the car is easily found in the junk yard, you can find a replacement lens, therefore you can take a chance on ruining your lens.
Understand the lens are no longer made of glass.
That was the beginning of the problem. Using chemicals designed for metal and glass could cause mini fractures within the acrylic /plastic /polycarbonate lens.
Degreasers would be absorbed into the lens and could cause them to turn yellow as a reaction to the heat of the bulb.
There are plenty of companies that make headlight cleaners, The problem is that they are time consuming. Many take multiple steps to completion and 99.9 percent of them employ some type of abrasive.
Of the few that don't Only one, is a one step process, which takes seconds from start to finish.
Pittman's Original One Step ALR.
One Step ALR is designed to remove surface oxidation from the headlight. Oxidation is the discoloration that starts out white turns yellow and finally brown. This is whats needed to be removed from your lens to make them clear again.
If you or someone else hasen't damaged your lens with abrasive cleaners, There is nothing that works faster or better and it's recommended for hi tech projector lamp covers. If you did use something like tooth paste or an abrasive, there is another ALR product called VaporWax (an acrylic paint conditioner) can help diminish the clouding side effects of abrasives on your lens. http://www.ibc34.com/Onestep.html
Posted on 07/25/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
If it weren't 12;18 a.m. ( & very dark! ) I would be outside working on my light covers right now ! First I will try pam ( that sounds like the quickest & easiest ) & then maybe the next day , if I still drive by candle light at night, i'll give tooth paste a try ! ( it is an amazing jewelry cleaner...and what would my teeth be w/out it ?? ) AHH there just may be a light.. at the end of this ( dark) tunnel ???? I will surely let you know !
Posted on 07/18/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I just used PAM..well an off brand of Pam cooking spray..IT looks almost like new, and my lights are so much brighter! Kudos to Pam!!
Posted on 06/16/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Hats off to Michelle. I tried cleaning my headlights with the Pam Cooking Spray, and it worked wonders! Now they look really clear! Later I tried the toothpaste, but it looked cloudy again. You probably would have to use a lot of elbow grease to buff it to a great shine. But with the Pam -- it was EASY! This is better than paying $350 each to replace my headlights! Thanks, Michelle!
Posted on 05/16/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
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By Evan Brooks (Guest Post)
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A good cheap toothpaste will work wonders
Posted on 05/12/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I like how the only one that says ya have to replace it is someone that runs a body shop. Try the 3M stuff.
Posted on 04/30/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Crystalenz sells a great kit for cleaning plastic headlight lenses, I have used it and it works as advertised. The website is Crystalenz com
Posted on 04/25/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
One way we have found that cleans them is to use an acetone based nail polish remover , on my wifes 94 ford crown vic. Works great, but i am open for better suggestions
Posted on 02/21/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
i have a 96 honda. the lenses were so yellowed i was worried about driving at night. i used to use the glass cleaner we used on radar scopes at work to clean them but cerama bryte cook top cleaner works just as good. just use on paper towel or soft cloth and keep buffing u will be amazed at the difference
Posted on 09/24/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
We use Oxy Clean to wipe off the film. Might have to let it sit on there a little , but wipes clean every time!!
Posted on 07/24/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Use a cheep toothpaste buff it clean wash then buff with brasso.
Posted on 07/19/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I wash cars on the weekend at an Infiniti dealership. Often we'll use the degreaser on windows, wheel rims, and headlight covers. I used it this weekend and the grime just came right off mine. It's worth a shot if your dealership has wash bays. Just ask for the degreaser spray. Be sure to rinse it off before it dries and don't let it get on the paint.
Posted on 06/19/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
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By Catmaster (Guest Post)
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3M makes a plastic polish, as does Mothers.
Follow all the directions, sometimes they suggest using a buffer in the final stages for a real gloss.
I've also heard of kits (made by Permatex?) that come with micro-fine sandpaper and polish.
For a cheapie quick fix, use toothpaste and polish the lenses with that. I've used it on taillights with good results, but it takes a lot of elbow grease. Good luck!
Posted on 05/02/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
Ken, I know this is going to sound crazy, I found this info on the web somewhere in some tips. BUT IT WORKS! My husband was constantly complaining about his head lights being so dim and the covers being cloudy. I told him about this tip and he thought ...what the heck and tried it and it works! Here it is....COOKING SPRAY! Yep that is what I said...cooking spray...spray it onto the lens and then buff with a soft cloth or paper towel. It worked really well for us. TRY it what do you have to lose?
Posted on 04/30/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
When the plastic headlight covers get cloudy, until recently,you have to replace them but recently 3M and another company has come out with a product that restores the lens.They are available through automotive stores.
Posted on 04/27/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
I have been in the auto body repair business for over 40 years and I can assure that once the headlamp lens turn completely cloudy the only way to fix them is to replace them. Sorry to give you the bad news. If someone would come up with a product to fix this condition they would be a wealthy person.
Posted on 04/26/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: Plastic Headlight Covers Aren't Clear Anymore
3M makes a plastic polish. I purchased some for my husband at a car show a couple of years ago. I would check with your local auto parts store. They should be able to help you find something that would work. I can tell you the 3M stuff did wonders.
Posted on 04/26/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
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