Hazed headlights

Nednats

Anyone know a cheap way of restoring hazed headlights?

Seen the toothpaste method on youtube but it didn't have to much off an effect.

Been told you can do it with sandpaper but I don't want to scratch my headlights. Anyone know how to do this?

slyracoon

I had this problem recently, car failed its MOT because of it, all the garage would do is replace the headlamp units for a couple of hundred.

I followed this guide - http://www.wikihow.com/Repair-Oxidized-Cloudy-Headlights-with-a-Headlight-Cleaner

Took a couple of hours but it worked.

Nednats

Is it just a case of getting an abrasive wet and dry sand paper and working way down to a finer one? Or is there more to it?

ILW

Solvol worked for me.

Foxy-Stoat_3

You could try G3 cutting compound. I used that on some MK3 MR2 headlights that were yellow and they came out clear as new.

I would only use very fine wet and dry paper if a cutting compound didnt work.

forgotmyname

When you say hazed do you mean they are turning yellow? Cheap headlamp bulbs or none coated ones in plastic lamps do that.

Buy proper decent brands bulbs only. And not ebay 100watt specials with blue paint.

Nednats

forgotmyname wrote: »

When you say hazed do you mean they are turning yellow? Cheap headlamp bulbs or none coated ones in plastic lamps do that.

Buy proper decent brands bulbs only. And not ebay 100watt specials with blue paint.

Not the bulbs the lens

forgotmyname

Yes the lens discolours because of cheap bulbs that dont have the correct UV coating.

Once they start to discolour a new lamp unit is the best option.

Nednats

forgotmyname wrote: »

Yes the lens discolours because of cheap bulbs that dont have the correct UV coating.

Once they start to discolour a new lamp unit is the best option.

I don't see how. I don't use cheap bulbs. The lens hazed on the front. The car is 12 year old I just presumed the headlights are just hazing because of their age - lots of grit and dirt in their time...

bluesnake

you can remove scratches in glass (and watches - done this myself on watches )

if the scratch is deep then get some 800 grit carborundum paper and rub it out use water too. Then some 1000 grade carborundum and rub those scratches out also with a bit of water.

This leaves you with a grey mat finish piece of glass, which when you look at it brings out the words "now it's really hopelessly screwed".

About 10 mins polishing with brasso and it does not look as bad any more. Another 10-ish mins with silver polish (silvo in my case) made the watch face sparkle.

If you do this on a watch, make sure there is a good distance between the watch face and the bezel.

Try it out on a wine bottle or old window first if you are unsure

swiftnick

Another voter for G3 cleaned my Focus headlamps up a treat.