Does anyone have a tried and true process to bringing back the shine to the headlights? Mine are horrible...Ive tried those cleaners but was never satisfied. Any ideas?

 

dude, get this from autozone or advanced auto parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t1RBw0IGXA
I tried on my car and WOWOWOWOWOWO what a difference. I was in the same boat as you, nothing seemed to work until I gave this a chance. Just remember for this kit, you need a basic drill.
The results will surprise you. The kit runs anywhere from 18.99 to 24.99

 

Alright will do as soon as the guy finishes re-applying my head liner. Thanks for the quick reply too!

 

Ok headliner is redone and when the rain passes I will go clean up the lenses and also install the new bulbs I got. Will post pics for anyone interested in doing it themselves.

 

Don't laugh to hard........
I saw this on an episode of "Two Guys Garage" before it basically became an infomercial. I've done it with great results and so have others (after they were done laughing). Go and get yourself a tube of white toothpaste, not the gel. Use it to polish your headlamps. Wipe it on with a soft cloth then buff it off with another soft cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth. Costs all of 2 bucks and works great. I didn't believe it would work until I tried it myself.

 

Funny you mention that technique. I tried that on my accord and it did indeed work. On my Jag no such luck. It seems as if these Jags know if you spend a great deal of money on them or not. Shortcuts don't usually go well lol.

 

A bathroom cleanser product called SoftScrub always cleaned up the headlights on my wife's previous 2000 Lexus RX300 to crystal clear again. I had to do this about twice a year to that vehicle. I read about this tip on a Lexus forum probably 5 or 6 years ago. Maybe it's the bleach in the product, maybe it's the very fine granular texture of the product as well. Whatever it is, it works great.

I've recommended this to several friends with different makes and models, and it has always worked well for them, too....

 

Well I might do some experiments on the other side of the car. I got tired of hand sanding after the drill died so I only did one side, but it looks 100x better than before. Great product indeed. Pics:




Also the car is starting to loose the clear coat....I guess it happens after 10 years

 

mine looks like it is on the inside. I tried plastic polish, obviously that isnt it.

Ill to do mine tonight. Not much else to do this weekend.

 

Racer, What product did you end up using?

 

Not to question what you guys are using, but aren't the headlight assemblies on our cars glass vice plastic? Most of the headlight "fix-it" products are designed to be used on softer materials like the lexan/plastic covers, not a glass material. I had to fix my headlights on my Jag and tried some rubbing compound, but that didn't work too well. I ended up using a mix of 2000 grit sandpaper and some liquid 1500 grit rubbing compound. Once I was satisfied with the sanding (you can feel/see the coating come off), I sprayed the headlights with some clear and I haven't had to touch them in a year.

 

The headlamps in the S are plastic. Thermo: The application of clear coat is a great idea as long as the person doing it is good with a spray can. I suggest that anyone thinking about it get a small piece of plexi-glass and test spray to make sure your technique is good.

 

high speed buffer and 3m rubbing compund, i just did mine last night, now they look brand new. just don't melt your headlights don't let the buffer sit in one area for too long. it took me 15 min to do all 4.

 

JOsworth, I have an airbrush. So, application of a clear is much easier. I save the spray paint cans for projects that need to be less precise. I have also noticed that the can clear tends to come out a lot more shiny too.

 

HOLY BEJESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So i went to auto zone and picked up the 3m kit. I figurered what the heck ill try it.

15 minutes later, and 1 high beam done completely. OMG the difference is night and day.

I took pictures of before and during the process. ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS WOW!!!!

and mine were marginally clear, just a little of yellowing at the top of the lights. the 3m kit does an amzing job as a DIY project. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS THOUROUGHLY!!! dont forget the thin foam pad between the paper and drill!! i almost did before i went to town sanding. as i get them done tonight ill post before and after pics

 

Jason it's a miracle product... similar to OxiClean for just about every stain and Proactiv for teens with pepperoni faces.

I can't believe how mine turned out when I used the 3M kit. Its def worth the price tag.

RIP Billie Mays.........

 

oh hell yeah was the best 23$ I ever spent. Still needs a little more sanding but they are just amazing. harounq21 I used the 3M one worked out great.

 

There is a UV coating on the lamps to protect from sunlight. I assume that this process takes at least some of the UV protection off. How often does this process need to be repeated? There are some plastic "clear coatings" that can add a layer of clear coat UV protection back onto the plastic. But they cost more $$$.

How long does this process last. Is it an annual, bi-annual or monthly process?

Thanks.

 

BugDoc, if you can clean up the headlight lenses using whatever product you want, you can then shoot the headlights with a clear. Almost all clears these days have a built in UV protectant in them. Other than that, you would need to read each product and see if they claim a UV protectant and normally they will say how often it needs to be re-applied. If not, write an e-mail to the company directly and see what they say. You may be surprised with the answer that they give.

 

don't make it harder on yourselfs, just buff them keep them clean and virgin by applying in a clear coat is just going to make it harder to keep them in a good shape. just my 2 cents. mines are 9 years old and they look like brand new. i just use high speed buffer and 3m light rubbing compund and in 15 min i'm done and happy very happy with results.