[Silvervan]

The local Pep-Boys tried to sell me on a plastic headlight cover cleaning service "normally 99.99, now just 49.99". I never even noticed the scaly buildup on my headlights, but I was thinking it would be nice to have them brighter at night.
I would not have done it at PBs anyway, but I started looking into it on the interweb and there seem to be two schools of thought. One is to gently sand & polish with escalating grits of micromesh, but some other guy claims the buildup is just on the outer coating and sanding would permanently damage the plastic by removing this UV protectant. Of course, he sells some magical solution that cleans the plastic without removing the UV coating.

Anybody have any experience or insight to this?

 

[topspy]

A mild soap, water, and light elbow grease.

Do NOT use an ABRASIVE cloth or pad, and some paper towels are quite "hard" too.
Do NOT use ammonia-based "glass cleaners" as they might fog plastic.

YMMV.
Good Luck!! 8)

 

[P0420]

My left headlight was very cloudy. I found a 6 inch buffer on sale at Walmart for $10. Using the terry cloth bonnet
I used KIT Scratch Out, scratch and haze remover and buffed it a few times. It did a good job and although it is not like the other side, it is 100% better. I may mix up some cerium oxide powder that I use to polish stones and try that later on. I have a wiper streak on the windshield that needs going over so I'll try it there too.
P0420

 

[buba]

There is a shop in my local area the reconditions taillight and headlight assembles and wholesales them to autobody shops in the area as used assembles. They were using the two step products from 3M when I stopped by looking for a replacement taillight about 4 years ago. They would clean the assembly with the 3M plastic cleaner using a power buffer then polish the assembly with the 3M plastic polish using a power buffer.

My neighbor has had success using the Mequiars two step products. He used an auto paint 'Clay' on the headlights followed by the Mequiars #17 & #10 plastic combo, both applied with an inexpensive buffer designed for auto polish.

My local NAPA store can order most of the 3M auto products including the plastic cleaner and polish and the Mequiars #10 & #17 plastic polish/cleaner combo.

Good Luck

 

[wag]

+1 for the 3m kit...but...do NOT use it if your headlights are in good shape (not cloudy), it will remove the factory clear coat.

 

[PHW]

Toothpaste. While repairing the PS Rearview mirror which got nailed in a parking lot noticed how bad the lenses were. Its an 04/140K Miles. Besides what looks like heavy yellow UV degradation on the top they looked gritblasted from the front. Identical lines or ridge defects across the lens surfaces from the airflow across them. Got the idea because I had just been to the dentist for my 6 month and was still crunching polishing compound. Armed with a tube of CrestR a good wad of wet and dry paper towels and a beverage got to it. At first was just going to attempt to clean a circular area in front of the DRL/HB lamp area. Wiped the lens off with several wet towels to remove any real dirt. Used a folded up damp towel with a smidgen of toothpaste and a random circular scrubbing. No heavy pressure needed. Used several until they were not getting discoloured. Then continued with several folded damp towels with the same scrubbing pattern to remove the paste. It drys rapidly and does not want to be removed easily when hazed. That area looked so good expanded the polishing to the front of the LB area. About 20 minutes, a few towels, one beverage and done. Fired it up after dark and there was a noticeable difference in front illumination and colour, both perceived and a couple of candlepower on an old lightmeter I have. The front surfaces still show the "flow" ridge defects mentioned above when you look at the surface at an oblique angle but from head on are clear. Of course this did not remove any large dings or hits but feathered them a bit. Did the other one a week later with PepsodentR. Same polishing performance. So got by with out buying special compounds and getting out the random.

 

[Shrewsbury]

I've had great success making my old plastic headlamp lens look/transmit light better with Meguiar's Plastx, available at AutoZone and the like. Wal-Mart may carry it also. Since the yellowing damage is mostly caused by oxidation, once you get the lenses clean and polished with Mequiar's (or whatever works for you), the best method to protect them long term and keep them looking good is to keep a good layer of wax on them. Carbana wax does a wonderful job, just plain old Turtle Wax works wonders. Put it on and buff it off just like the rest of the body. This helps block out the damaging oxygen and other oxidizers from the atmosphere and adds a nice UV blocking layer. Helps repel water, too. I wax all my lenses (corner markers, tail lights, DRLs, fog lens, etc).

<rant mode on> Why can't auto makers go back to good old glass covers for the headlamps? I realize plastic saves weight and is cheaper, but come on! Plastic oxidizes and scratches easy where glass is superior. I'd gladly pay the weight and cost penalty for the superior performance. <rant mode off/>

 

[nomosilo]

1st Post! Hopefully have found a 'home' here.

Only substantial advantage I see to plastic is the lenses don't crack from rocks.

The custom headlights have allowed more flexibility in design. There are some very strange looking cars out there, some of them Toyotas ;D

 

[twinsnfins]

I've tried a couple of the lens cleaning "kits" in the past with no real success. Today, I found a bottle of Turtle Wax "Headlight Cleaner & Sealant" for about $4. I'm usually skeptical of the all-in-one deals, but this actually did a great job. I started with some good old-fashioned elbow grease, then finished with some light work with the orbital buffer. Used lots of the compound (about a half bottle for both lights). Impressive results...we'll see how long it lasts.

 

[SwaggerWagonChatter]

The best solution to headlight fogging is PREVENTION. Use Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish. Spray weekly, or for routine cleaning, your headlights will be OEM for a decade. This cleaner/wax has UV protectant, and makes bug splatter easy to wipe off. This is also great for cleaning/polishing wheels and door wells. I even clean my refrigerator and garden tractor with it !

 

[claudel]

Guy at the local car wash buffed mine out for $10

Good as new, for awhile...

 

[sjmahler]

I used WIPE NEW HEADLIGHTS on my 05 XLE (with 72,000 miles) lenses. The process is a very easy to perform. Hand wet sanding with two different grits. After the lenses are dry you wipe on a very smelly substance. The coating is designed to prevent further oxidation. They still look like the first day after 4 months ... just follow the directions. About $10. Getting ready to repeat on my 09 Venza.

I suppose you could use a power sanding system and add the Wipe New coating.

 

[2012XLE]

Have had our 2012 headlights treated/worked on multiple times. The hot Florida sun just destroys everything eventually. Recently decided to replace both headlights for about $166 delivered (ebay). It honestly makes the van look brand new. Couldn't be happier with them. Took me about 1 hour to remove and replace the entire assemblies. Worth it!

 

[2006SiennaLE]

I found this headlight restoration video to be very informative:

I bought all the stuff to restore our 06 LE's headlights never got to use it.


All the cleaners, etc mentioned in the posts above will either wipe certain oxidation off or they are mildly abrasive and will remove a thin layer of oxidation, plastic.
The clear-coat idea in the youtube video sounds really good.

 

[paul r]

When I got my 06 LE brand new I ordered and installed Xpel headlight covers/laminate. Well , my van is now 13 years old and my lens are still pristine looking granted that I am on my second set of Xpels. Total cost about $120. I am not sure how much the original lens assemblies sell for.

 

[MiniVanLyfe]

Can confirm - the turtle wax kit is a great investment! Used it on two cars, had the best results with the '09 Toyota in the picture. Used it on a Hyundai as well but needed multiple attempts (and a lot of elbow grease) to clear up the lenses. Both cars park on the street (though fairly shaded) so we'll see how long it lasts!

Only issue with the turtle wax kit is they only give you ONE sealing wipe. I have lots of compound left but no more sealant if I wanted to repeat the process. I did the two cars at once to try to stretch that sealing wipe as much as I could - but it dries out quickly.