Faded/hazed headlights?? (2013, buying, sell, car)

[Tennesseestorm]

Originally Posted by wanneroo

I bought the turtle wax kit so we'll see how it works. Mine aren't too bad on my 2001 car but especially the foglights could use a tweak.

Great... let us know how it turns out.

[43north87west]

In my experience, once the headlights start to oxidize, they can be polished back to good condition, but seem to oxidize faster thereafter. My guess is because the fine surface scratches left over from polishing, attract light and heat, and degrade the surface of the plastic faster.

I have never used the headlight polishing products, but have used rubbing compound, polishing compound, and wax. Boat windscreens and windows, usually some sort of smoked plexiglass-type material, have the same problems. I have even gone as far as to wet sand a chalky windscreen, then followed up with compound(s) and polish. The resulting finish wasn't perfect, but from a few feet away, the windscreen looked brand new. Most importantly, it wasn't necessary to stand to see over the console windscreen anymore. If you are able to use a very soft cloth to finish the job, and spend some quality time using the finest polishing compound, the outcome can be excellent.

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by Tennesseestorm

,,,,Volvos starting in 1986 switched to the plastic lenses and those cars lights get terrible.... as do many cars.

I have seen many Volvo's with a few inches of water in the headlights. Best answer is to drill a small drain hole and leave it open. Probably best to drill it on the back side, but even a small hole on the corner will not hurt them.

[Merc63]

I always use the Meguires Plast-X. Works great on haadlights and taillights. Here is a 30 second "repair" of faded taillights on my buddy's 740iL:

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by ferretkona

I have seen many Volvo's with a few inches of water in the headlights. Best answer is to drill a small drain hole and leave it open. Probably best to drill it on the back side, but even a small hole on the corner will not hurt them.

I remember in high school on my old 1988 Mustang headlights there was a crack letting in water on one of the headlights. After blowing a few bulbs and not having money really to replace the whole unit, I took a hot soldering iron and stuck/melted 2 holes at the bottom diagonally into the headlights so water could drain. Drove it another 8 years through Alabama downpours and Colorado snowstorms without a problem.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by Tennesseestorm

Volvos starting in 1986 switched to the plastic lenses and those cars lights get terrible.... as do many cars.

That's not accurate the entire 850 lineup has glass headlights.

[Tennesseestorm]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

That's not accurate the entire 850 lineup has glass headlights.

I meant Volvos of the 1980s.

[McBain II]

Here is a better way.

Handz Detailed: 2003 Cobra Headlight Restoration - Mustang Forums at StangNet

[NY Annie]

I had been telling my husband that we either got new headlights or sold the car. He finally agreed we were going to replace the headlights. So, he found them online for $150/pr and was just about to order them when I saw this thread. We decided that "risking" $10 and some of his elbow grease was worth it to save the $150.

THANK YOU ALL! It worked great. He did them yesterday and tonight I went out to check it out. I can SEE AGAIN!!

Anyway, we will be keeping the car a little longer. I hate turning a car into a planter just for headlights.

[Sayantsi]

The best I've used is the Crystal View. Cheesy packaging, but the results are better than new lights with a UV sealant, although a separate UV sealant is recommended after 24 hours. It all comes down to sanding and how good a job you do - take the time, sand longer than the directions state, and really work for a smooth finish. Apply the sealant and don't overdue it, and you will have a great looking set of lights. Also, use dish soap when wet sanding with water.