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hazing on headlight glass

Old Jun 3, 2009 | 10:11 AM
  #1  
gatorbrit's Avatar
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Default hazing on headlight glass

My headlights have a hazy dullness to them in certain spots. Its a roughness on the plastic as if they have been dulled down. I tried some Maguires polish and it helped a bit, but they are far from clear and shiny (at least to my critical eyes). Any suggestions?
 
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 07:17 AM
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there is a product my brother uses that makes them look perfect again, I'll ask what it is cus I can't remember.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by adub96
there is a product my brother uses that makes them look perfect again, I'll ask what it is cus I can't remember.
Thanks, I'd appreciate it.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by gatorbrit
Thanks, I'd appreciate it.
I asked he told me the process. It was too much to write so I went and found it.

tools
Squirt bottle filled with dish soap/water mix (do not use auto wash)
Masking tape
800 grit sand paper
2000 grit sand paper
clean cloths
3M rubbing compound
PLastic Polish, (Mequiars Plastx)

1. Start by covering the paint around the edges of the headlight with painter's tape. This protects your finish in case you are a little too agressive with the sanding process
2. Douse the headlight with soapy water. It is always better to use too much then too little. Once the headlight is wet, start sanding the headlight using your 800 grit sandpaper, continuously adding soapy water to keep the surface wet. You want to sand in long, left to right strokes using moderate to light pressure. The point is to uniformly roughen the surface.
3. When you are done with the 800 grit, the surface should feel slightly rough, but you should not be able to see any surface blemishes. The headlight will look VERY hazy.
4. Switch over to the 2000 grit sandpaper. Repeat step 2 with the 2000 grit. When you are done, the headlight will still look hazy, but it will be a little bit clearer. However, the surface should be totally smooth and free of any imperfections. Repeat steps 2-4 if there are still some surface imperfections.
5. Dry off the headlight with a terry cloth. Here comes the magic. Using the 3M rubbing compound, apply a quarter-sized bit to a new terry cloth. Work the compound into the headlight surface using hard pressure in circular strokes. Frequently turn the cloth and continue rubbing until dry. This requires a LOT of elbow grease; you will want to work the headlight until your arm feels like it's going to fall off and then some. It doesn't hurt to go over the headlight 2-3 times. You can also use a buffer for this.
6. Then, apply the plastic polish. Using an applicator pad, work the polish into the surface using firm pressure and circular strokes. Once you have covered the surface, wipe clean any residual with a new cloth.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 04:07 PM
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Harbor Freight has a kit: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=65938
 
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 06:58 PM
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Theres also this kit...I have this at home http://www.autodetailingsolutions.ne...storation.html
 
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 09:48 AM
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Blue Coral has a product. I bought some at Autozone. It works really well. Give it a try.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2009 | 10:10 AM
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I saw a demonstration of Flitz Polish at a trade show where half a hazed headlight was brought back to clear leaving the other half dull and hazed. I have not used the product for this purpose but did use it on a dulled fiberglass dune buggy body giving great results. It was easy to use and the results were great.
 
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 01:36 PM
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Default re: headlight restore service

I had a professional restoring service come and do my Mom's 2000 Honda Accord which was very badly yellowed. This guy did the prepping, sanding, and clear spraying which took over 2 hours. It was quite a task! The headlights look better than new and the cost was
$90 which I thought was well worth it. Why should I go out there and possibly mess up the headlights? If you are not sure of what you are doing, leave it to someone than knows. This guy was recommeded, so I felt confident. Many of the aftermarket products while making an improvement, do not do as good a job.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2009 | 11:42 AM
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Talking Just do it!

Originally Posted by Bocatrip
I had a professional restoring service come and do my Mom's ...... Why should I go out there and possibly mess up the headlights? If you are not sure of what you are doing, leave it to someone than knows. ........... Many of the aftermarket products while making an improvement, do not do as good a job.
Presumably the reason the guy asked for advice/opinnion is so that he could do it himself, save money and learn something in the process. It is an easy job my grandmother could do it. Just follow the step outlined by adub96 in the post above it will cost you approx. $15 and you will get great results guarantied .........by my grandma, haha.
 

Last edited by Delirious; Jul 15, 2009 at 11:44 AM.
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Old Aug 16, 2009 | 01:22 AM
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you should check out Headlight Restoration Service ( www.hrslights.com ). This is the only way i have found to get my headlights back to to new again. I hope this helps.
 
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