Headlight restore

RunnerJeff

RunnerJeff

New member
Hey guys yesterday I blacked out the headlights on my 2005 SE 4Runner. But I need to figure out how to clean the outside of the plastic headlight cover. I know there are many products out there to do this but I also know some of the B.S. a lot. Any suggestions as to what I should use?
 
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I use the Mother's Kit - works pretty well on beat up 1997 Camry headlights. I think mine was 20 bucks at O'Reillys

A variable speed drill helps keep the cleaner from flying everywhere when you first apply it. That can be a little tricky, but otherwise really easy to use.

And I liked the end result.

I think any name brand system would work just as well.

Mothers® PowerBall 4Lights Headlight Restoration Kit


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Do your headlights have a yellowish tint?

My Sister's were getting faded and yellowish so we decided to try and polish them up. Bought a Turtle Wax kit for about $9-10 from Walmart and that cleared them right up.

Easy to use. They have a rubbing compound that your supposed to start out with. I just applied that with a cotton cloth and that did the trick. The kit also comes with a lubricant and pads that you can use if your headlights are in really bad shape.
 
x2 ^^

I've used similar products such as PlastiX and it works great to restore clarity to the lense. Though, in my opinion, it is not a permanent fix.
 
UteRunner said:
x2 ^^

I've used similar products such as PlastiX and it works great to restore clarity to the lense. Though, in my opinion, it is not a permanent fix.
Click to expand...

Ditto on PlastiX.

Have hazing on both headlights, and am not going to shell out the money for new ones just yet. I use PlastiX every two week and they look newish. Easy to apply, take off, and cheaper than new lights, too.

Haven't seen/read a permanent fix that I like yet.
 
UteRunner said:
x2 ^^

I've used similar products such as PlastiX and it works great to restore clarity to the lense. Though, in my opinion, it is not a permanent fix.
Click to expand...

This is true - I've had to reapply every 3-4 months. But once their done right the first time (it takes awhile), reapplications only take 10 minutes or so.
 
Thanks for all the input you guys! I'm going to run by Advance AutoParts and then O'Reilly's and see what they have. Does anyone suggest putting one of those films over the lens after I clean it?!
 
A few weeks ago someone mentioned this product in passing in another thread. I gave it a shot on my girlfriend's RAV4 with good results.
 
I second the CV kit BigPig! It is the only kit I know of that applies a permanent sealer to the headlight after polishing.
Prior to CV kit I did the 3M method which worked good except for my headlights were yellow again in 6 months :(
I think the sealer in the CV kit is the trick to keeping that polished raw plastic from yellowing again.
 
Thanks for all the input you guys! I'm going to run by Advance AutoParts and then O'Reilly's and see what they have. Does anyone suggest putting one of those films over the lens after I clean it?!
 
After reading some threads in the detailing section on headlight oxidation I picked the CV Headlight restoration kit. Did it last October and it still looks great (and clear). Before I was using some of the other headlight products and had to do the headlights every two weeks or so. I think the key is the sealer that the CV kit comes with.

Here's the part of the thread where I posted my before and after pictures.

Here's the full thread.
 
I think when it comes time to do my Camry headlights again I'm going to try the CV kit. I agree with the posts here regarding the sealer - that's the key.

In the Mother's box, there was a coupon for the plastic sheets that go over the lens, but they were rather pricey.

:bigok:
 
I have only 2 questions regarding this...

~Can you get the CV Kit from O'Reilleys?
~Are there aftermarket sealers for the headlights? The biggest thing is sealing the plastic when you are done since that is what will protect it...
 
BlackWorksInc said:
I have only 2 questions regarding this...

~Can you get the CV Kit from O'Reilleys?
~Are there aftermarket sealers for the headlights? The biggest thing is sealing the plastic when you are done since that is what will protect it...
Click to expand...

I do not know about O'Reilly's but Advance Auto does have the CV kit. I am also trying to find the 3M film covers. I couldn't find any at Advance, but I am going to do some online shopping right now.
 
If anyone is looking for a fast, easy, cheap fix for this... Just buy a small can of Mothers Mag Wheel and Aluminum polish. (you can get it just about anywhere, NAPA, Pepboys, even Walmart for like $6.00) a little dab, on a clean cloth and a little manual rubbing and you can polish the headlights clear.

This stuff works too..

Walmart.com: Meguiar's Plast-X Clear Plastic Cleaner and Polish: Automotive

I've used both... I find the aluminum polish works faster and easier.

If the headlight is pitted then you need to wet sand it (again by hand) with 1000 grit sand paper and lots of water...

The danger will all of these polishes is HEAT... press too hard or get too aggressive with a power tool and the plastic lens will "micro melt" and small chunks of the surface will flake off... Once that happens it takes lots of work to bring it back.

Of course will all of these polishes... this is only a temporary fix... you will be doing this every year that you own the truck (depending on how dusty it is were you live. and how many highway miles you log)
 
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