Headlight Restoration

hemi_fan

Active Member

Apr 8, 2004

279

3

28

Ontario, Canada

Apr 11, 2004

#1

• Apr 11, 2004

• #1

The plastic headlights on my 90' stang are looking yellower than a banana right now. When they are wet, they look good as new. A guy I know told me to use some polishing compound on them to remove some of the yellow, and it helped a little. If I Armouralled the headlights or something to that effect would it make them look clear again? Im trying to avoid buying new ones. thanks.

 

The Shape

Founding Member

Jan 11, 2002

2,224

8

49

East ARKANSAS Delta

Apr 11, 2004

#2

• Apr 11, 2004

• #2

I did the same thing I used rubbing compund and it helped some, but not alot. The thing I found that really worked great was Jewlers Rouge. It is the absoloute best aluminum polish I have ever used. I was polishing my A/C lines one day and figured what the hell I will see what it does for the headlights. I was amazed it cleaned them up great. You can actually see the bulbs through the lenses now LOL. It worked good enough that for the first few nights after I cleaned them I kept thinking my brights were on.

 

eliaseje

Founding Member

Jun 16, 2002

466

0

0

Ohio

Apr 11, 2004

#3

• Apr 11, 2004

• #3

I work in the auto collision field. Get some 1500 Grit sand paper and a bucket of water and wetsand those headlights like crazy. Then get some 3M rubbing compound (you can get it from Autozone or any local parts store) and buff the headlights. They will look like glass. I do it all the time for people.

 

J

John98-4v

New Member

Mar 25, 2004

43

0

0

just south of Pittsburgh

Apr 12, 2004

#4

• Apr 12, 2004

• #4

eliaseje said:

I work in the auto collision field. Get some 1500 Grit sand paper and a bucket of water and wetsand those headlights like crazy. Then get some 3M rubbing compound (you can get it from Autozone or any local parts store) and buff the headlights. They will look like glass. I do it all the time for people.

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yep, keep sanding till you get all the pits out of the plastic, hold it in the light , and you will see what I mean, I took mine out of the car.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Apr 12, 2004

#5

• Apr 12, 2004

• #5

i have had luck with Mother's aluminum polish too, but it sounds like all of the ideas suggested would work better. i would follow whatever you do up with a good sealer and protectant. a polymer should work. just something decent to seal it since you will have just roughed it up.
also, resist the temptation to use power anything on it; real easy to heat and distort the plastic.

armor all would be nice at first, but since dirt sticks to it, that is not good if you want to see very well, i would think.
good luck. great ideas, folks.

 

dvs bullet

New Member

Feb 20, 2004

326

0

0

Ontario, Canada

Apr 12, 2004

#6

• Apr 12, 2004

• #6

There was some stuff called California Kiss, you might find it at a local auto store. It is for taking off the oxidation in your paint but I found that it worked even better for cleaning your lights

 

ricer-roni

New Member

Aug 2, 2004

69

0

0

Aug 25, 2004

#7

• Aug 25, 2004

• #7

Silver polish works wonders, cleans them to brand new. I bought new xenon bulbs to help me see through the yellow, but now i feel like they are too bright, just buffed it on, let it sit for about 10 minutes til it hazed and buffed off, looks brand new.

 

extozy

New Member

Sep 7, 2003

93

0

0

Longview, TX

Aug 25, 2004

#8

• Aug 25, 2004

• #8

hmmmm, i think i know what i am doing tomorrow!

 

E

executioner

New Member

May 4, 2004

30

0

0

mass.

Aug 26, 2004

#9

• Aug 26, 2004

• #9

i got new aftermarket headlights,turn signals,and parking lights on ebay for $111.00 including shipping(choice of amber or clear parking lights). look great and fit perfect and makes a big difference.

 

W

WQRed50

New Member

May 21, 2004

24

0

0

Burnham, IL

Aug 26, 2004

#10

• Aug 26, 2004

• #10

Worked for me...

I used this from 50Resto for $31.95.....
Headlight Restorer and Resurfacing Kit

It took about 30 minutes per headlight and I was able to do my Mustang and my Mom's 90 Cougar with material to spare. In fact, I did one and my daughter did the other. It was pretty simple and straight forward.
I did mine in May and it still looks brand new.

 

JimBowy

Member

Nov 8, 2003

330

0

17

Downriver, Mi

Aug 26, 2004

#11

• Aug 26, 2004

• #11

John98-4v said:

yep, keep sanding till you get all the pits out of the plastic, hold it in the light , and you will see what I mean, I took mine out of the car.

Click to expand...

what they said...