Headlight Restoration

[hemi_fan]

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]

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]

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.

 

[John98-4v]

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[executioner]

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.

 

[WQRed50]

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]

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.

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