Safe reliable way to clear up headlight plastic lenses.

[59-in-pieces]

What is the best way to bring back the clarity to headlight lenses.

There are quite a few suggestions right down to lightly sanding the lens and then coat them with a secret sauce.

Also saw a hard to believe spray coating, rinse, wipe off - clear as a bell.

Anybody have a safe reliable way to clear up the plastic lenses.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[David Greenburg]

Steve:

I'm not sure there's a good answer to this. The best I've seen are kits like Wolfgang's that include a sealant/coating to use after you've polished off the cloudy stuff, which can last for a few months. You definitely need to put on some kind of protective coating/wax, or the cloudy will return quickly.

[David King (kz78hy)]

I bought a kit from "Mothers" progressive sand paper grits and polish with applicator ball that goes into a drill motor.

I used to to polish the "Eldorado" badge on my 55 front seat.

The link is similar to what I got, it is sold everywhere.

https://www.pepboys.com/mothers-powerball-4lights-headlight-restoration-kit/product/188753

[dn010]

I have done many with Meguiar's ultra finishing polish (210) - can be found on amazon, with no problems. You don't have to use rotary tools, you can just put some on a rag and use it that way. What you don't use on lenses you can use on the paint / vice versa.

[59-in-pieces]

David G., I think you are right about the need to further seal the lens going forward.

Dan, you use the polishing method - grit - but how often do you need to repeat without a sealant.
I would think that if the name "210" is the grit, that sounds way too heavy/strong, and maybe a wet/dry emery paper of 6,000 would be easier on the plastic.
I don't know - what do you think.

David K., The Mother's sound mighty cheap at $7, but does it work along with the sealer for a goodly time.
I fear It's kinda - you get what you pay for thing.

Have fun,
Steve B.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[dadscad]

I've been using Meguiars PlastX polish.

[V63]

The clear lenses originally had a very thin clear coating of UV protection. Once this is gone the deterioration accelerates.

I finally, resorted to sanding the lens fully with #800 wet to remove existing oxidation and respray the entire lens with catalyzed automotive clear,
 (of the base coat/clear coat system). These finish's have UV protection. Be wary of any clear product of spray can nature as it is NOT a durable finish and not Catalyzed.

Avoid car 'waxes' and silicon products as further detriment to the plastic. Automatic car wash use products that generate enhanced deterioration.

[David King (kz78hy)]

The lens use Polycarbonite material, very good stuff, same as your eye glasses.  All the polish does is remove the blemishes of use off the original material.  After polishing, it should last as long as the first go around.