5.0 Headlights - Removing Oxidation/Yellowing

[criticman]

Okay, this isn't an ad or plug for a product of mine. Just a heads up. I bought "professional" headlight cleaning kit on eBay for $15ish shipped.

WOW - lights look almost brand new (they were REALLY bad, not cleaned at all since bought new in '93). Since it was getting dark, I noticed I had missed a spot when checking them out with the headlights on, but there is enough left of the solutions in the kit to do it 3-4 more times if need be.

Anyway, took me about 25 min to remove 11 years of buildup and restore the lights to how they probably looked in 1994 or 1995.

So yeah, here is the auction I bought from: auction (view seller's other items to get one that is still for sale).

All I can say is 10% of cost of new headlights and I am happy

 

[CaliNotch n MI]

just wondering did you have to do any wet-sanding?.

 

[criticman]

Nope...here is what I had to do.

3 Solutions in 3 bottles, plus two lint free towels (blue shop towels essentially), one latex glove.

1. Start with a clean headlight.
2. Apply solution A with towel.
3. Rinse with a towel soaked in clean water.
4. Let dry.
5. Put on glove.
6. Apply solution B in small sections, rubbing until headlight appears smooth.
7. Apply solution C in small sections, rubbing until lights are crystal clear.

That's it! It took me about 25 minutes. Well worth it in my opinion, but I guess some may just want new headlights.

 

[Greenfive-oh8]

do you have to take the headlight out to clean it or do you have to open it up and clean the inside ? mine are very very yellow and i need to save up money for other things not headlights

 

[criticman]

You do the exterior. If your seals have cracked, it won't remove the internal moisture, but the yellowing is often due to oxidation, which is what this product is mainly for.

But yeah, you do them with the headlights in, hood closed, etc. Just pull up a seat in front of the headlights and get to work.

 

[ImportEater98]

Mine aren't as yellow as they are foggy...is this considered oxidation?

 

[5.0_GT_kid]

Subscribing for info.

 

[criticman]

Mine aren't as yellow as they are foggy...is this considered oxidation?

Both yellowing and fogging are due to oxidation (among other things). Mine sadly had both issues...but look pretty darn good now.

I can't wait to get it out in natural sunlight tomorrow and get a better look at it all.

 

[ill advised]

I'll throw in a good word for the headlight cleaner as well. I used the kit from 50Resto and it worked pretty good also. However, it cost twice as much and I did do some wet-sanding (included).

I bought new headlights for the modded Stang a few months back so the daily driver is stuck with the stock ones.

 

[5spd GT]

I just bought new OEM lenses from 50resto.com for $30 each...it was cheap and they were brand new

 

[PhLoBuS]

mine were all yucky on the inside hence why i bought my clear headlights PS. they are not that easy to install!