Why are so many headlights oxidized?

[YipMan_Style]

Looking at used Gen1 G35. I noticed many of the headlights are oxidized. On both coupes and sedans. Why is that? There are many "very good" examples, but the headlights look like it's 10 years older.

It is the design where it get's more sun exposure? Or gets sand blasted from the front?

I know a good headlight polisher will clear it right up. But my questions is, for cars this "young," this should not be necessary yet.

Or maybe it's just my area or the selection I have seen so far.

[370Z/28]

I Zaino mine everytime I wax my car. I don't know if that will help or not but it seems like it would keep the elements off.

I don't know if it is wear or heat from the lights.

[biggie]

More likely the sun on the lenses. My '03 has been in a garage/parking garage most of its life and they are perfectly clear. Though parking outside at work now ain't gonna help.

[audtatious]

Yeah, it's annoying. My coupe is still clear as a bell but the sedan has yellowed a bit and I have to polish it out a couple times a year. Both usually stay outside.

[Tim30250]

More likely the sun on the lenses. My '03 has been in a garage/parking garage most of its life and they are perfectly clear. Though parking outside at work now ain't gonna help.

Agreed... I definitely think it's the exposure to sun. I've garaged my '02 BMW for its entire life and the headlights are still crystal clear as they were the day I took it home from the dealership nearly 10 years ago.

[KoukiS14]

First thing I did when I got my new car home was to PlastX the things. They were perfectly clear, but even a bit smoother now. I miss the glass headlights on my S14 - never had to worry.

[SVTCOBRA]

I use 3M Plastic Cleaner on my daughter's 00 Max and my 04 Coupe. I think it cuts thru the haze faster and better than the Plastix....But, I do put a coat of Plastix on after I'm done with the 3M for protection.

[cjs37xs]

The heat from the sun only exacerbates (makes it happen sooner) the problem. Just like your paint, the headlight lenses oxidize due to all the elements (road grime, dirt, car oils, finger oils) that get on them, and don't ever get truly cleaned off. "370Z/28" has the right idea, in using Zaino...this cleans and seals the surface from the elements. The reason they will actually oxidize faster than paint, is the heat being caused by the reflectivity in the headlight lens itself. We are getting the heat from the sun in the daytime, and then giving more heat at night when we use the headlights to drive at night. And, many people just simply don't put a wax/sealant on their headlights.

Clean and wax/seal your headlights, just like you would to your paint. And, also park your car where it isn't exposed to direct sunlight (aka: HEAT) all day.

Once they get that oxidation on them, the only way is to do an industrial strength headlight oxidation removal, and then use a quality sealant (Zaino...FTW!!).