• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

FIXING HAZE AND SCRATCHES ON PLASTIC - HEADLITE COVERS

BLUEKNIGHT911

BLUEKNIGHT911

Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
I have a 2003 Toyt pk-up, it has plastic headlight covers and to say they were HAZY is an under-statement :yikes:... I almost couldn't see the bulb .... I looked into the scratch / haze remover market, and discovered the products were almost as expensive as replacing them :gaah:. then , while in WallyWorld I found a Turtle ( wax ) product called " Scratch & Swirl Remover " ( about $6.00 ) .... I don't know about the Scratch part , but the Swirl ( haze ) part did an incredible job at re-turning the lens to almost clear :clap: ... Soooooooooo, if you have the same issue and want to save $ 50.00 +/- , try it ..... Mike :thumbup:
 
Good to know...

In a bind we used toothpast or semi-chrome but the last paint and body shop used something like you found. Now I know what to look for...:bowdown:
 
The FIX

BLUEKNIGHT,
I've done a ton of these headlight lens restorations. There are several ways to do the same thing, but I bought the Mother's lens restoration kit from Autozone ($24). It is basically a wet sand system set up for your cordless drill, using coarse-to-fine sanding discs followed by a final buff with a fine polishing compound and drill-mounted buffing ball. You can start at any level depending on how bad they are , but it will end up perfectly clear! Of course you can get sandpaper and wet sand it yourself, but the kit is worth every penny. I can show some pics to prove the results if requested.
Dan
 
I did the same thing as Dan with a product from Advance Auto, exactly the process he described. My only concern was after the first sanding when I looked at the results and thought, "Aw, :cus:, what have I gotten into." In the end I was very well pleased with the results although the sanding/polishing sequences did take some time. As my 19 year old minivan sits outside while the Spyder occupies the garage bay and the headlights are again beginning to fog I might try Mike's product to see how a "quickie" works. Thanks for the tip.
 
Basically you need to wet sand the lights in two or three stages of grit and get all of the top layer of degraded plastic off to do it right, unless its in the beginning stages. Then a compound buff and youre good to go in most cases. Theres no real magic potion. All the home remedies are for very light haze, they wont do a thing on yellowed lights. The whole top layer needs to be sanded off. Not sure id pay for a kit when all you need is some wet sand paper and some compound.
 
Last edited:
Toothpaste will do a wonderful job, for a whole lot less money! :2thumbs:
And it'll leave you with fresh breath too! :roflblack:

(Try THAT with Simi-Chrome... :shocked:)
 
BUFFING

trikermutha said:
A light buffing compound works well too :thumbup:
Click to expand...
.. I think this is what this stuff is ..... it's not like most " polishing compounds " , this stuff isn't very abrasive at all ... I actually did three applications to get the lens really clear .... Mike :thumbup:
 
WELLLLLLL NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT

Slowpoke387 said:
Basically you need to wet sand the lights in two or three stages of grit and get all of the top layer of degraded plastic off to do it right, unless its in the beginning stages. Then a compound buff and youre good to go in most cases. Theres no real magic potion. All the home remedies are for very light haze, they wont do a thing on yellowed lights. The whole top layer needs to be sanded off. Not sure id pay for a kit when all you need is some wet sand paper and some compound.
Click to expand...
#1..... I didn't buy a " kit " ------ #2......My lights were Yellow, 14+ years and never touched them !! ......#3.........I had no intentions of buying 1500 grit ( wet ) sandpaper......... #4.......reading the entire post is important ......# 5.......Thanks for being here for me :clap::clap::clap:.................Mike :thumbup:
 
BLUEKNIGHT911 said:
#1..... I didn't buy a " kit " ------ #2......My lights were Yellow, 14+ years and never touched them !! ......#3.........I had no intentions of buying 1500 grit ( wet ) sandpaper......... #4.......reading the entire post is important ......# 5.......Thanks for being here for me :clap::clap::clap:.................Mike :thumbup:
Click to expand...
1. Was just letting others know as I'm in the car business..........................2............buy the paper or don't, doesn't matter to me, was just some advice, didnt quote you as buying the kit.........3...........read the whole entire 100% post, great job on the diy :ohyea:...............4.............your welcome...................:yes:
 
Hi Folks,

Re: letting others know

Thanks to all of you. I also have a '03 Toyota P/U with this problem on the driver's side lens.

Now I have some good info to spend money on & to get things fixed.

Jerry Baumchen
 
BRP replaced the right headlight on my RT under extended warranty, which was great but then the left side looked so full. At the SEMA show we watched a guy demonstrate a wet sand product and he gave me a sample kit. I don't think I sanded long enough because mine didn't turn out great but it was still an improvement
 
The cream solutions like the one Mike mentions (there are a couple out there) in my experience work well and don't take that long to do but normally need redoing every 6 months or so. Not sure why but I'm guessing they leave a coating that helps to 'fill' the surface imperfections that goes over time.

The sanding solutions take a lot more effort but do tend to last a longer, though perhaps only 18 months or so.

If you've got one light good and one bad, or one that doesn't cleanup so well then that will possiblybe because it's started to deteriorate inside and there's not much you can do for that other than replace it. Normally this happens then there is a hole, crack etc.
 
I owe ya one!...

SpyderAnn01 said:
BRP replaced the right headlight on my RT under extended warranty, which was great but then the left side looked so full. At the SEMA show we watched a guy demonstrate a wet sand product and he gave me a sample kit. I don't think I sanded long enough because mine didn't turn out great but it was still an improvement
Click to expand...

Ann, I'll be glad to fix you up on your lens anytime! You did me a favor, I'll be glad to return a favor :thumbup:
 
BLUEKNIGHT911 said:
.. I think this is what this stuff is ..... it's not like most " polishing compounds " , this stuff isn't very abrasive at all ... I actually did three applications to get the lens really clear .... Mike :thumbup:
Click to expand...
your probably right. Also a cheap buffjng wheel and a drill will take no time at all
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top