I have a 00 model stang and my headlights are not tinted like the 01+ models. After 7 years they look like crap. They looks fogged, is there a way to clean it or should i just get new ones?
I've cleaned up two sets of 01+ lights, however there was still light fogging on the inside of one pair. I took used 600,800,1000,1500 and 2000 grit sand paper then I used a buffer and some swirl remover, then some polish. I put VHT night shade on the set of lights with the cloudiness and now you cant see it.
You can make them look somewhat better by polishing or wet sanding but
thats only the surface. Put a magnifying glass on them and you will see that
the problem is in side the plastic. you will see little cracks all in there.
New ones is the answer.
You can make them look 95% better for sure, unless they are cracked. I made a tutorial and posted it a while back but search button is trash now .. I found it in a word document I saved:
"I will post this again since the last time nobody cared because it was a 'buy new headlights' thread. So here we go. Here is a before pic (after trying to clean it with plastic polish and all types of other ****) and an after pic .. I could only find two pictures of opposite sides of the car, inside and outside. But I put this together so that you could get an idea of the difference.
If you follow this procedure you will be amazed!
You will need:
- 800 grit wet-sand paper
- 1000 grit
- 1500 grit
- 2000 grit
- Some 3M polishing compound
- Another polish you like
- Some time!
The procedure:
- Clean headlights first with soap and water (dishwashing detergent works great to get as much bugs and crap off as possible)
- Wet-sand in the order that I listed above. Start with 800, 1000, etc. The key is to use a lot of water. Keep the sandpaper wet while you sand, this is very important.
- As you start to wet sand the headlights, you will say to yourself "damn I am scratching these things up" ... and you are. They should get more and more hazy and after the 2000 grit they will be super smooth but stupid cloudy. This is OK! As you WET sand, you will see some milky looking water .. this is just the crap coming off your headlights. You basically want to smooth the surface by sanding in one direction (back and forth) only. Each stage of sandpaper will make the surface more and more smooth but more cloudy as well. Once you get to the 1500 and 2000 grit, your goal is to WET sand using a plenty of water and you should start to see the headlight get clearer while sanding with water. So, when the headlights are dry, they will be hazy and smooth. But when you are wet-sanding they will appear very clear (especially when you get to 2000 grit). After you have done this, let the headlight dry, or dry it off in the same back and forth direction that you sanded in (would not want to scratch them at this point.
- Now is when the magic happens!! Get out some 3M polishing compound, polish on - polish off and you will be shocked at the clarity (for the crappy design that the headlights are). Then use another polish that you like (step is optional).
Whatever you do, do not WAX the headlights afterwards for at least 1 month. I have no facts to back this up as to why, but I wouldn't.
If you follow those steps, take your time!!, you will have kickass results! I just described it in detail but it is not hard and worth the time (for me at least) "
^ Yes..
I just had that paint protection clear stuff put on my bumper and new headlights. looking at my old ones they told me not to get rid of them and just take some fine sandpaper to them...
Ty for listing the steps out.