Clouded headlights

[nissanismygirlfriend]

In my 2003 G35 Sedan, I have clouded headlights. Meaning, the clear fiberclass has a clouded look. It isn't a crisp, clear, and clean fiberclass case. Anybody else have that and if so -- how do I fix that and give them a cleaner look?

Thanks,J

[joe603]

Use a good plastic cleaner. Meguiars has a decent product called stratchX...

...edit-PlasticX is the product name..

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/megg12310.html

[thechronic]

do you have to take the headlight apart and clean on the underside too?

[zozoka1212]

I think it called plastx or plastex or something. It is a white little bottle. Try just the outside part first and you'll see if you have to deal with the inside one or not. It makes a huge different. I did it on my saab before I sold it wow.

Zozoka

[tpam423]

I have the exact same problem. I love my car but the clouded headlights look horrible!

I was in a car accident last week and need to replace one of the headlights. I was tempted to just pay to have the other headlight replaced because I figured it would look awful having a nice one and one that was clouded. After the auto shop told me it would cost nearly $700 for the headlight and the installation, I decided to look at other options.

I have the same concern...do we need to clean inside the headlight as well?

[JeromeS13]

You can't clean the inside of the housing. I made the mistake of attempting this while I had my headlights apart. There's some sort of coating on the inside of the headlight. And, once you get it wet it turns even cloudier and into a type of goo. So, for those thinking about taking your headlights apart, make SURE you don't get the inside of the lens dirty...

The best thing to use it Plastix, which has already been mentioned.

-Jerome

[Kenrik]

There are special pads you can buy that attach to the end of a screw gun. $9.99 for the pack, you get them wet, buff the headlight with it and BAM 5 minutes later you have lights that look 100% BRAND NEW!.

I got them at pep boys

[S13xCrazy]

There are special pads you can buy that attach to the end of a screw gun. $9.99 for the pack, you get them wet, buff the headlight with it and BAM 5 minutes later you have lights that look 100% BRAND NEW!.

I got them at pep boys

yeah, Advance Auto Parts and Auto Zone have them as well.

[tpam423]

How easy is it to take the headlights off and replace them yourself? My boyfriend insists he can do it himself (the body shop was going to charge me an arm and a leg for a new headlight and the installation).

Is it possible to replace it yourself or is it better to just have a pro do it?

[zozoka1212]

If he says he can do it.. well let him try. Do you trust him? I guess not that's why you are here to ask right? I would let him try. Tell him if he screw it up than its over.He He He sorry had to.

Zozoka

[JeromeS13]

Its pretty simple. You have to remove the front bumper and you have full access to removing them.

-Jerome

[infinititech1]

its fairly easy to remove the headlights after removing the bumper if you know what ur doing.

at work we used 3m plastic polish...didn't always work though

[Nadia]

There are special pads you can buy that attach to the end of a screw gun. $9.99 for the pack, you get them wet, buff the headlight with it and BAM 5 minutes later you have lights that look 100% BRAND NEW!.

I got them at pep boys

You just buff the outside of it?

[tpam423]

HAHA...I guess I'll let him try.

I just read this morning an article on yahoo that states that the G35 is the most expensive car to repair when dealing w/minor fender benders involving the front. It's common to have to replace the bumper and headlight. I guess I learned that the hard way last week!

[tpam423]

When using PlasticX, do you need to wet sand the headlights or will the cloudiness disappear without doing that?

[Q451990]

I am a huge fan of Novus Plastic Polishes. I have taken a Q45 junk yard instrument cluster lens from crap to like new with this stuff. It's a three step process from pretty gritty, to a liquid polish. I found it at a local police supply shop... apparently they like to use it to keep their light bars shined up.

http://www.novuspolish.com/



A cheaper and more readily available method is Kit Scratch-out. Less than $3 at Wal Mart. Good stuff, but I like having the three steps available.



Heath

[joe603]

Be careful with scratch out...I would use it as a last ditch effort to get out a scratch. It's really easy to leave swirl marks.

Any "plastic" polish or cleaner should get the headlights clear again.

[Nadia]

Ok so I used PlastX on one of my headlights and it did nothing. It's not foggy but it looks dark(sorta grayish) on the inside of the headlights. Has anyone seen this before?

[Gimli G35]

on the families Lexus , never bothered to get them polished\fixed..... too lazy to bust open the headlights

Nadia , you might have to open your headlights

[joe603]

Ok so I used PlastX on one of my headlights and it did nothing. It's not foggy but it looks dark(sorta grayish) on the inside of the headlights. Has anyone seen this before?

You could have a crack in the lens. Do you get condensation in there? Is it on both headlights, or only one?

[Nadia]

You could have a crack in the lens. Do you get condensation in there? Is it on both headlights, or only one?

It doesnt look like there's any condensation..I'll have to post a pic.

[joe603]

Is it on one...or both?

[c_anderson117]

If there is condensation in the headlight, there was a TSB about it:

http://www.infinitihelp.com/Ow...1.htm

[Onslaught31]

I had it really bad in my 2003 as well. Tried PlastX and it didn't do s hit. I buffed it with rubbing compounds, plastx, cleaners, waxes, everything. Nothing worked. Then I tried Stratch Out and with just a cloth, it took off about 90% of it first application. It also happens to be the cheapest plastic cleaner available (not to mention it works on paint too!).

Also, DON'T wet sand! It is possible to have the lights professionally sanded and they look like new, but the key word is professionally. I tried a very very tiny area on my last car with super fine sand paper and plastX, all it did was stratch it.

[Gimli G35]

bad idea to try to sand yourself, leave that stuff to the PROs

What grit did you use? usually the pros use a 1000 grit and sand it all down so its all very very very dull but smooth

[AmyK]

I am a huge fan of Novus Plastic Polishes. I have taken a Q45 junk yard instrument cluster lens from crap to like new with this stuff. It's a three step process from pretty gritty, to a liquid polish. I found it at a local police supply shop... apparently they like to use it to keep their light bars shined up.

http://www.novuspolish.com/



Heath

Okay, I bought this product on eBay from bnyhlen last week. I used the Buy It Now option and it was in my mailbox TWO DAYS later. Whoa. Besides the awesome shipping time this product kicks ***. I have an 03 G35 and the headlights were so cloudy I couldn't sleep at night. Every time I passed another G I hung my head in shame. This product is a 3 step process (if needed) and I could see a MAJOR difference by step 2. My headlights look like new! Be careful applying step 3 in the hot sun though. Work in the shade and do a small area at a time.

[zozoka1212]

glad to hear that.

zozoka

[Onslaught31]

I don't remember the exact grit, it was more like a rough cloth than sand paper. I'm sure it would have worked if I had started with rough paper, then used higher and higher grit until it polished up, but I was lazy. Not exactly like the car mattered, it was my old '97 explorer (american cars....ew)

[elleng35]

Went to dealer today to complain about dirt on thr inside of this "sealed headlight assembly". They said only condensation on inside was covered. What a crock. 3 months out of warranty and they don't want to know you unless they can rip you off. Driver power seat quit yesterday. 48000 miles on'04 g35x. Going to get rid of it and get a BMW 5 series.

[elleng35]

Mine are filthy inside, 48000 mi, sounds like a defective headlight assembly. never had accident. Looks terrible, hate it.