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Discolored Plastic Headlight Covers

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Date: 12/05/2005 Topics: Cars > Repair Advice | Readers Request > Auto | Repair > Cars  
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I am looking for a way to remove the discoloration on plastic head light covers on a 1998 Chrysler van. It is ruff looking and stops a lot of the light from coming through from the head light. The light has become very opaque and not crystal clear like it was when it was new. The build up is more to the top of the light cover.

Kenny G. from Gulfport, MS
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By Douglas B, (Guest Post)
My headlights were actually brown. They were like that when I bought the car. I was looking to replace them when a friend of mine bet me $20.00 he could make them look like new in less than five minutes.
I figure it was a sucker bet and I took him up on it. I lost!

I had not heard about Pittman 360ID. I thought the lens was beyond repair. Pittman's works and it works fast. It cost me twenty dollars to find out about Pittman's but I saved a few hundred dollars because now I don't have to replace the lens. The lens are crystal clear now, I would not have believed it if I had not seen it.

Posted on 01/15/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By (Guest Post)
Plastic headlights damage very easily. What works on glass will destroy plastic.
Don't use any solution that involves abrasives, like rubbing compound and sandpaper.

Posted on 08/12/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Fastrak (Guest Post)
Two things not to do to plastic, Use an abrasive on it or Pam. If your headlights are already damaged, you don't have much to lose. If your headlights are relatively new you can do a lot of surface damage oven cleaners and abrasive cleaners.
Most stores still push abrasive cleaning kits. You can find non abrasive liquid products to remove headlight oxidation on ebay.

Posted on 02/20/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By 8th man (5) Contact
Discoloration can be caused from a number of things, oxidation is number 1 and sun yellowing as a result of the removal of the UV layer during a restoration is 2. If the yellowing is a result of a restoration, You can try to sand off the yellowed clear coat . However if the lens itself has yellowed, no amount of sanding will help.
If its discolored due to surface oxidation a non abrasive pure liquid oxidation remover is the safest route to take.

Posted on 01/09/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Lynsheryl (Guest Post)
Pittman's Original One Step ALR worked for me, It took a few seconds on each side. Really easy to use, just wipe it on and the results were instant. My lights were really old and worn. Now they look great, I passed inspection and I can see much better at night.
http://www.ibc34.com/Onestep.html

RE: Discolored Plastic Headlight Covers

Posted on 10/18/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Ron Gorsuch (Guest Post)
Pam works as will any oil; clean motor oil or vegetable oil. Better still, use paste wax. I keep a can of Johnson's floor wax for the plastic windows in my jeep soft top. Just be sure to start before the very fine (hairline) cracks and discoloration become too advanced. Then you need rubbing compound or the like. Filling the tiny cracks is what the oil or wax does. The cracks distribute the light in a random pattern and cause the cloudy look. Just polish well after application.

Posted on 07/10/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

By kathy (Guest Post)
just wanted to let u know- cerama bryte glass cook top cleaner made my headlights look brand new and its cheap just takes some elbow grease

Posted on 09/24/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Rachael (Guest Post)
I replied with this idea on another person's thread-- I wash cars at Infiniti on weekends, and they have a spray degreaser that works wonders. I used it on my 92 Saturn's windows, wheels and on the headlight covers. They all look awesome now. Maybe you can drive by your dealership if they have a wash bay and ask for them to spray it on and rinse it off for you (no scrubbing or anything required-- it's really strong stuff, keep it off of your paint).

Posted on 06/19/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Michele (Guest Post)
I know this is going to sound crazy but it works. I found this online on a tip page. Take a can of spray like Pam or any kind of cooking spray and spray it onto the light covers. Wipe with a soft cloth. It really works...my husband tried it on his old Crown Vic and it let more light from the headlights come out.

Posted on 12/06/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Karen (Guest Post)
Here are a couple of ideas I am trying for my 1992 Dodge Caravan:

1. Using Soft Soap cleanser on them. This could do it without scratching the plastic.

2. You could replace them from a junk yard. They can WAY LESS expensive compared to buying them new.

Sincerely,

Karen in IN

Posted on 12/06/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse

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