headlight cleaner...

[gameradio]

Hey guys, i'm new to this forum, i had 2 - 200sx SE-Rs before, but i just got a 2003 Maxima GLE, i love the look of the car. I was wondering on the headlights, there is a SLIGHT hint of fogginess on them, anyone know right off hand what kind of cleaner it takes to get rid of them?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I've used Mequiar's Plastix with a foam applicator and gotten good results on my cars. Cleans up fogginess and yellowing pretty well.

[Sentientbydesign]

The F1 cleaner works temporarily. So does RainX in "large" quanitities.

I also tried cleaning mine and spraying them with a canned clear coat which made them look great, but only temporarily.

[Evil Empire]

True about the PlastX...it works great but it's only temporary. For the FULL and PERMANENT solution, you should do this -

Wet sand (rubbing the headlight with only the weight of your hand with 1000, 1500 & 2000 grit sandpaper while keeping a constant flow of water on the headlights as you do it, i.e. with hose), then apply PlastX, then apply Lamin-X, which is a thin strip of clear, yellow, tint, blue, or gunsmoke colored film you apply to your headlights...it costs about $50 for 2 strips pre-cut to fit your car BUT they come with a 5-year guarantee and they work amazingly. Your headlight lenses will NOT become hazy, yellow over, or fade after you do this.

[jsmithsole]

Here's the process I just used and mine look like new!! (sorry pretty long and the pics are huge)

Full credit for this goes to Packetattack on nycmaximas.org. You can try this at your own risk. You shouldnt have to remove your lights to do this but you may need to mask areas around the lights to protect your paint.

**Credit goes to Dave Holmes from Maxima.org for the first writeup that I modelled mine after. **

I made this writeup for everyone that has pitted, fogged or yellowed headlights and wanted to get them super crystal clear again. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD ON GLASS. This applies only to polycarbonate/acrylic/plastic headlights.

The process is very simple, you just need to follow the instructions and take your time. I have professional polishing equipment, ie. Porter Cable, drill buffers etc. but didn't use them, because I know a lot of people here don't have this equipment and I wanted to show that its still quite possible by hand. It takes about a good 45 minutes - 1 hour per headlight by hand.

Supplies needed

1. 3M Imperial Wet/Dry Sandpaper in the following grits listed below. You can get this sandpaper at almost any Autozone. Its usually right in the aisle that has all the autobody repair supplies.400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000

For the first two base grits, if the lights aren't too bad, you can start with a 600 or 800. If they are heavily pitted or clouded up, start with 400.

You might have problems finding 600, so its fine to jump to 800 from 400.

2. Novus 3 step plastic polish or 3M Finecut rubbing compound or Blue Magic Plastic Polish. I find that the Novus is really the best, but its not sold in any stores, its mail order only.

3. A bowl into which you should mix lukewarm water with 6 drops of dishwashing detergent. Since you will be wetsanding the soapy water helps to keep the sandpaper a lot cleaner and provide a slippier surface to sand on.

4. Paper towels and two soft cloths. Do not use rough cloths for polishing.

5. A laundry tub or kitchen sink.

---------

METHOD

Start with the 400 grit sandpaper if your lights are really bad. Otherwise start with the 800. Wet the paper thoroughly in the soapy water you prepared beforehand. Start sanding the lens, circular motions and back and forth as well.

Progress through the various other grits when you feel the surface getting smoother under the paper and no further resistance is being offered.

DO NOT WORRY IF THE LIGHTS GET VERY CLOUDY. This is perfectly normal, and is a result of the color sanding. You want to sand with the lowest grit paper listed until all your pits/road damage/haze/fogginess is gone.

KEEP THE PAPER WET AT ALL TIMES! CONSTANTLY DIP THE PAPER IN AND OUT OF THE SOLUTION. DON'T WORRY ABOUT A LOT OF SOAPY WATER ON THE HEADLIGHT LENS. YOU WANT THAT.

TWO PICS OF THE LIGHT I STARTED WITH

Very badly damaged. These weren't being used on my car, just a few sets of 4th gen headlights I had lying around, that I decided to use. You can see how foggy they are.



STARTING WITH 400 GRIT ON THESE USELESS HEADLIGHTS. LOOK AT HOW FOGGY THEY ARE!



MOVING UP TO 800 GRIT NOW



KEEP THAT SANDPAPER CONSTANTLY WET IN THE SOAPY WATER



NEXT MOVE UP! 1000 GRIT



1500 GRIT NEXT! SEEING A LITTLE CLARITY NOW!



2000 GRIT! LAST AND FINAL SANDING OPERATION



CLEAN IT UP. WIPE IT DOWN. MAKE SURE ITS COMPLETELY DRY.



SANDING DONE! TIME TO START POLISHING OPERATION WITH NOVUS #3



TIME FOR NOVUS #2! I CAN SEE CLARITY COMING THROUGH NOW!



CLEAN UP TIME WITH NOVUS #1. WOW! BRAND NEW HEADLIGHT!



JUST INCREDIBLE! FINAL RESULT. COMPARE IT TO THE BEFORE PIC!

before

After

[MTZI30]

My i30t had really bad film and i couldnt get it off until i got a hold of this compound we use at my work. I used that and polished with a buffer and they came out like new. Not only that since i got the hids, i can see a lot better at night.

[jltibbs]

following the directions from jsmithsole will be your best bet to get them back to clarity, then get the lamin-x clear film (or another color if you want, i recommend clear) and you wont have to worry about them again.

[Beancooker]

Jsmithsole, you are a pimp!

[xuxuio]

How long does the finish last on the headlights before you have to do it again? How much does the products cost and how many headlights is it good for?

[rroderiques77]

3M makes a headlight restoration kit. That's what I used. Pretty straight forward and user friendly. Great results!!

[tigersharkdude]

i have found a quicker way, if you have a high speed buffer, buy some cutter and go to town, then polish them. DONE

[whitetothemax97]

the only permanent way to ge them clear is to put in the time. Nice write up

[uzbfly]

just buy new head lights, i got them for sale brand new for 500 whole headlights assembly with hid controller on them.. email me for more info and pics [email protected]