What to use to brighten up my plastic headlight lenses?

Discussion in 'Other Automotive Tech & Talk' started by scooper77515, Jul 20, 2012.

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  1. scooper77515

    scooper77515 No current projects.

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    I know there are kits to buy, but what is the polishing compound? Anything special, or can I use Mothers Chrome polish or even regular polishing or rubbing compound? I would assume they might be a bit harsh and actually scratch fogginess into the lenses.
     
    scooper77515, Jul 20, 2012
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  2. scooper77515

    scooper77515 No current projects.

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    One website even says plain white toothpaste!
     
    scooper77515, Jul 20, 2012
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  3. MaverickDan

    MaverickDan I wanna go fast!!!

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    MaverickDan, Jul 20, 2012
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  4. Streamliner

    Streamliner Member

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    Polishing compound is fine
     
    Streamliner, Jul 20, 2012
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  5. scooper77515

    scooper77515 No current projects.

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    OK, mothers did not work, and non-polishing toothpaste didn't either. Neither were abrasive enough.

    I have a can of polishing compound laying around somewhere...
     
    scooper77515, Jul 20, 2012
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  6. scooper77515

    scooper77515 No current projects.

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    Soft Scrub didn't work.

    The headlights are CLEAN, but still oxidized on the top half.

    Can't find my polishing compound. Must have lost in in one of the moves.
     
    scooper77515, Jul 20, 2012
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  7. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    smegnl, Jul 20, 2012
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  8. strokermaverick

    strokermaverick Member

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    On my wifes last van, the headlights were so bad, they were rough to the touch. I wet sanded them with soapy water, 400, 800, then 1000 grit sandpaper, Then, I buffed them with some metal polish and a buffing wheel, on my drill. They looked almost new, when I was done. I knew that I had to remove the outter layer of dry-rotted plastic, before I could clear them up. :tiphat:
     
    strokermaverick, Jul 20, 2012
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  9. scooper77515

    scooper77515 No current projects.

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    Mine have a very slight roughness, but I don't think enough to need sandpaper. I a good polish should clean them up.
     
    scooper77515, Jul 20, 2012
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  10. rayzorsharp

    rayzorsharp I "AM" a Maverick!

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    You can wetsand them with some 1500 paper and clearcoat them. You'll have a hard time telling them from new ones and it'll last way longer than just buffing them. We do them all the time at the shop.
     
    rayzorsharp, Jul 20, 2012
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  11. RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Retired!

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    FWIW, this method also works great for oxidized aluminum wheels. I have a set of Weld ProStars on my S-10 that pitted just from setting in the carport. I had to start sanding with 120 grit though. The key to any of this is lots of elbow grease!
     
    RASelkirk, Jul 21, 2012
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  12. scooper77515

    scooper77515 No current projects.

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    Just got home with polishing compound, and will give it a try. I hope my oxidation is not bad enough to need sandpaper, but I probably have some laying around if it is. I have fingers crossed that polishing compound alone will do it.
     
    scooper77515, Jul 21, 2012
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  13. scooper77515

    scooper77515 No current projects.

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    Polishing compound was not quite enough to cut it. Looks like I need to get out some sandpaper...

    I really didn't think the oxidation was that deep, but if you can see it, it is deeper than you think!
     
    scooper77515, Jul 21, 2012
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  14. simple man

    simple man Member

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    This works! I did this on my Ranger taillights over a year ago and they still look brand new! Use a good quality clearcoat that has uv protection! (y)
     
    simple man, Jul 21, 2012
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  15. strokermaverick

    strokermaverick Member

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    The reason I had to start out with 400 grit is; my headlights were terrible. They were brown and in very bad condition. The vehicle was like that when I purchased it. I agree with Ray on the clearcoat though.
     
    strokermaverick, Jul 21, 2012
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