Hazed headlights

GolfBravo

Nednats wrote: »

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...

Acrylic headlamp lenses?

Two main things that damage acrylic headlamp lenses:
- cheap bulbs with no UV filter (lens damage beyond repair)
- cleaning headlamps with methylated/white spirits, acetone, alcohol (external damage only, repairable): the headlamps will look sparkling clean for a while but then the acrylic (lexan) lens will slowly discolour

Nednats

GolfBravo wrote: »

Acrylic headlamp lenses?

Two main things that damage acrylic headlamp lenses:
- cheap bulbs with no UV filter (lens damage beyond repair)
- cleaning headlamps with methylated/white spirits, acetone, alcohol (external damage only, repairable): the headlamps will look sparkling clean for a while but then the acrylic (lexan) lens will slowly discolour

Yes Acrylic.

I wrongly presumed they were glass.
I think some advice I have received maybe for restoring glass headlights.

maxheadroom

Try the method found on this page,(its in german so linked via google translate)

Works on acrylic headlamps too, I added in 2500, and 3000 grit stages of wet a dry and worked relly well.

Toolstation do a pretty cheap pack of the fine wet and dry paper but the really fine stuff bought in a variety pack from ebay.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.kitesurfer1404.de/lights/haubenpolitur&prev=_t

This works if they have gone hazy, not if yellow - if they have gone yellow its game over)

Or for less elbow grease method

http://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-Headlight-Restoration-Discoloured-Headlights/dp/B0078IHJ1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360053704&sr=8-1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t1RBw0IGXA

Sylvian84

Try Mothers plastic polish for clear plastic headlight lenses.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mothers-Clear-Plastic-Headlight-Lights-Lens-Car-Convertible-Window-Polish-/390538229707?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D390527907643%26ps%3D54

pstuart

There's an excellent 3M fit on HUKD for £10 at the moment.

fivetide

I had this on an old FTO. Common issue, the varnish comming off the plastic lens.

Used very fine wet and dry to rub it down then cutting paste to clean it up, looked mint afterwards. Of course you'd see very fine swirls close up but these don't affect the car in terms of MOT etc and are only noticable if you are really really looking.

Wh05apk

pstuart wrote: »

There's an excellent 3M fit on HUKD for £10 at the moment.

I would second this, I used on an old Yaris, and they came up very good, easy to use, just a bit scary sanding your headlight with sand paper on a drill attachment! I went a bit easy, but have plenty left over from the kit, so will probably have another go when the weather improves.

almillar

I always thought it was the sun that caused the yellowing of the lenses.