dull headlights

[Armandi]

is there a detail cure for dull headlights?

 

[Bobby]

Replace it or...


Sand it. Use 600 or 800 grit to start and end with 1500 or 2000 grit. After that, you use polish to clear it up. It takes about 1hr for each side but it'll come out crystal clear. There's a few write ups about this on the web.

 

[Hitman]

If the plastic lenses aren't extremely dull, you could always use a plastic polish or even a very light polishing compound intended for paint.

I once used a polishing compound to get rid of the clouded, yellowish look of the plastic headlight lenses and it looked crystal clear when I was finished. It was a lot of rubbing, but definitely well worth it.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

try looking for plastic polish. do a google search. a forget the brand i used, but it took out a scratch left from a damn errant softball.

 

[momo.75]

I think it is Meguiar's that makes a plastic polish for headlights. i have found some small packets of it at Auto Zone on a peg next to the bulbs. It used it on my father's 98 Ranger lights and it made the crystal clear.

 

[broncosi]

is there a way to clean the inside of the headlight unit like the inside of the glass?

 

[momo.75]

If you have sealed headlight units instead of just bulbs, no. If you have the headlight assembly thay uses bulbs, you can but wouldn't advise it. To do it right you would have to remove the entire assembly then clean it with a mild cleaner. After cleaning is and rinsing, you would need to make 100% sure that it was dry on the inside before re-installing. Also, you wouldn't want to use any kind of brush on the inside because it would ruin the chrome reflective finish on the inside of the housing.

 

[lee]

i think what youre looking for is installing new 99+ headlights, bronco.

 

[broncosi]

yea, it is, its just im not sure why they are soo expensive, i cant afford that right now, id rather spend $$ on other parts of my 4runner.

 

[lee]

id guess theyre expensive because most people dont switch them for cosmetic reasons!

they usually are purchased after accidents on insurance's dime.

but anyway, look around on ebay, youll find a pair eventually. i saw a pair, used that went for a buy it now price of 100 bucks.

 

[pat161]

All this advice on plastic polish is good and all, but what year truck do you have. 3rd gens have glass headlights, not plastic like the 4th gens. I don't think your glass headlights would look too good after you sanded them! If your truck is a 4th gen, meaning 03 or newer, your headlights should not be cloudy this soon, make the dealer do something about it as this is a safety issue. If it is a 3rd gen make sure they are clean, road grime will make them dull as hell. I usually throw a coat of wax on mine every other wax job and they seem to stay a little cleaner, but its only a problem in the winter.