Foggy Headlamp covers
- Thread starter ColinJ
- Start date
D
Deleted member 31521
Guest
Can you show a picture of how they look before or after you have used these products
If you have tryed everything what about an abrasive cream cleaner house hold product you might already have it.
Give that a go and see if anything happens it took all the oxidation off mine the drive side isn't perfect but they are way better than before.
It really does work if they are not too bad.
If you have tryed everything what about an abrasive cream cleaner house hold product you might already have it.
Give that a go and see if anything happens it took all the oxidation off mine the drive side isn't perfect but they are way better than before.
It really does work if they are not too bad.
Elbow grease DIY hard work, cheaper than the gym, with the rubbing compounds to hand such as
Finish with a coat of car body polish.
This works as I have done it with success & is easier than changing the headlamp assemblies, & is a whole lot cheaper with nothing to lose.
- bathroom cleaner abrasive cream,
- CIF
- Vim
- Very fine wet & dry abrasive paper.
Finish with a coat of car body polish.
This works as I have done it with success & is easier than changing the headlamp assemblies, & is a whole lot cheaper with nothing to lose.
D
Deleted member 31521
Guest
Well I was going to use sand paper at first but I was amazed for a while then they kinda go a bit dull at very bottom and on the very highest parts after a while.
A finishing product is really important if you want them to last longer I have just used turtle wax cause its what I was already using at the time "it does the job" as they say..
Here is an after shot using I think first I tried a toothpaste but it was crap cause it was blue kind like "colgate"
But then I tried the cif method. Was actually just a cheap cream cleaner and I could see the plastic inside after. They looked okay to me is a few scratches here and there and as I said before the bottom and top didn't clear that well maybe since I was trying not to touch the paint I guess.
Some might say they look rubbish. But if you need them clear to pass a test then at least that be one less thing to fail on right?
A finishing product is really important if you want them to last longer I have just used turtle wax cause its what I was already using at the time "it does the job" as they say..
Here is an after shot using I think first I tried a toothpaste but it was crap cause it was blue kind like "colgate"
But then I tried the cif method. Was actually just a cheap cream cleaner and I could see the plastic inside after. They looked okay to me is a few scratches here and there and as I said before the bottom and top didn't clear that well maybe since I was trying not to touch the paint I guess.
Some might say they look rubbish. But if you need them clear to pass a test then at least that be one less thing to fail on right?
Attachments
Last edited by a moderator:
I used wet and dry paper starting at 400 grit, then 800, 1200, 1500 then 2000 grit.
Then used the machine polisher with some farecla g3 cutting compound which seems to have done the job and some wax to seal afterwards
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Then used the machine polisher with some farecla g3 cutting compound which seems to have done the job and some wax to seal afterwards
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Drivers headlamp. Closest thing i have to a before and after pic...
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Mika The Finn
Site Supporter
Faded micra headlights 01:05
Nissan MICRA K12 cloudy headlights polish clean 02:15
Metal polishers, this case Autosol chrome polisher, don't know are they polishing plastic or metal
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG54xt56uZo]How To Restore Headlights PERMANENTLY (Better Than a BRAND NEW Headlight) 10:33[/URL]
Nissan MICRA K12 cloudy headlights polish clean 02:15
Metal polishers, this case Autosol chrome polisher, don't know are they polishing plastic or metal
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG54xt56uZo]How To Restore Headlights PERMANENTLY (Better Than a BRAND NEW Headlight) 10:33[/URL]
Last edited:
Does wax seal work long term? The whole reason they go foggy is that the UV protection has worn out, don't you need to replace it with something UV resistant?
D
Deleted member 31521
Guest
You can also seal them with a plastic wrap that is clear right wonder if those would last very long
D
Deleted member 31521
Guest
Just been practicing with sand paper. On an old plastic lid that seemed to come up pretty clear imo. So moved on to my passenger off side headlamp. It took away most of the visible scratches and hazed look. But they are not great at all. So I think I'm going to try a polishing wheel and compound next.
If that fails to bring it back I'm just going to replace them with a later year headlight.
I used 400 1500 2000 and 2500 grit in two passes then a paint compound as this seemed to work on the plastic lid that I test sanded with.
Will post a picture tomorrow of how the passenger side looks. Definitely need a bit more work though.
If that fails to bring it back I'm just going to replace them with a later year headlight.
I used 400 1500 2000 and 2500 grit in two passes then a paint compound as this seemed to work on the plastic lid that I test sanded with.
Will post a picture tomorrow of how the passenger side looks. Definitely need a bit more work though.
For really crappy headlights wash them (rubbing alcohol works good) then use 400>600>1200>2000>2500 (all wet and alternating sanding direction with each grit) then use a cutting compound and finish with a uv protector so they don't go yellow again within a few months.
I ended up with a Holts repair kit only £10.00 . It contains all you need including buffing disc, compound and protector spray. To be honest I was a bit disappointed with the results after the cutting stage was finished. However, as soon as I sprayed on the protector 'BINGO' the lenses became clear ! Not as new obviously but good enough for 55 plate and to pass the next MOT.
One downside was when the car went through the local hand wash station they blasted off the coating ! I'm going to respray with several coats which should do the trick.
One downside was when the car went through the local hand wash station they blasted off the coating ! I'm going to respray with several coats which should do the trick.
D
Deleted member 31521
Guest
Okay so here is P.S. and D.S after sanding and a buff with drill and driver side got the buff only.
You can still see the oxidized plastic on driver side.
They didn't look very good before I started.
Otherwise I wouldn't have considered the light sanding.
How many times this could be done would be very limited. Although since I can still see the vehicles numbers on the head lights. That means they have not had any sanding done till now.
The products were
6 quid sand paper
5 for polish compound
6 for the drill attachment
But most of these items were for paint work so really my cost was zero.
You can still see the oxidized plastic on driver side.
They didn't look very good before I started.
Otherwise I wouldn't have considered the light sanding.
How many times this could be done would be very limited. Although since I can still see the vehicles numbers on the head lights. That means they have not had any sanding done till now.
The products were
6 quid sand paper
5 for polish compound
6 for the drill attachment
But most of these items were for paint work so really my cost was zero.
Last edited by a moderator:
For stuff that you pretty much already had lying around the house you won't get much better. Looks good.
D
Deleted member 31521
Guest
Yea they not bad for fourteen years use. I think I may next put a clear plastic film over them. After the driver side is sanded then I won't have to worry about them fading as quickly.
Last edited by a moderator:
