How to fix cloudy headlights and keep clear

As a new member of stangnet i would like to offer some of my past experience from working with crownvics/grandmarqs. It seems some people here are replacing headlights.


Got yellow headlights?:bang: dont throw them out! reuse them or get back resell value.:hail2:

(From a friend of Crownvic.net)


If they are cloudy on the inside, remove the headlamp from nthe car and take out the bulb.
Pour in some rubbing alchohol, cover the headlamp bulb openings with your hands and shack the lamp around some.
Dump it out, and repeat.



Ok, if they are very bad on the OUTSIDE this has always worked well for me:

Tape off all around the headlamp.

Sand down the composite lens past the imperfections with ~500-1000 grit auto sand paper. Some may be too deep to repair, so have a feel for when enough is enough.
Follow up through the grits until you finish off with 2000-2500 grit. You can sand wet or dry, I normally sand wet. Use automotive grade sandpaper (ie 3m)

Wipe the lens clean with a tack cloth or similar.

Use a small buffer, mother's power ball, or similar (hand application is fine, just tedious) and polish the lens using Meguiar's Mirror Glaze fiberglass/gelcoat color restorer. I have a few bottles of this becuase my father purchased it for our boats - but I don't see it around much any more. Mirror Glaze #17 (plastic cleaner) will work good as well. I'm just used to the MG Color restore. Wipe clean with microfiber after polish.

The lens should be looking VERY clear now, but we're not done.
Follow that up with ~2 applications of Mirror Glaze #17 (clear plastic polish) You can do this by hand or with the buffer. I don't think it says you can use it with a DA, but I've not had a problem doing so. Again, wipe clean with microfiber after.

Last, apply Meguiar's PlastiX by hand on an applicator then buff to high glass with a microfiber. The lens should look like brand new now. You could skip the #17 and go right to the PlastiX if you want. Hell, if you work hard enough with it, you could even go right from the sanding to the PlastiX (I would recommend using something in between though, even rubbing compound or scratch remover will work if you're in a pinch)





After you do all this, apply the PlastiX at regular intervals to keep your lenses looking like new :SNSign:
 
I have never heard of using alcohol to clean the inside of the lens, but I think I'm going to try it. For the outside of the lens, I use Griot's Garage plastic polish with a pneumatic orbital, but it doesn't do much for nicks. I had to put about a half-hour into each lens face just to get the scratches out. Welcome to Stang-Net by the way.
 
I have never heard of using alcohol to clean the inside of the lens, but I think I'm going to try it. For the outside of the lens, I use Griot's Garage plastic polish with a pneumatic orbital, but it doesn't do much for nicks. I had to put about a half-hour into each lens face just to get the scratches out. Welcome to Stang-Net by the way.

I know what you mean. I highly recomend sanding. i was first a bit weary about it but it works really good. (aslong as you have the right sand paper)
 
Great tip Thanks . I have also heard of using carb clean and plastice polish to clear up yellowed lights. It works pretty good. Do NOT spray the carb clean strait on the plastic, instead spray some on a terrycloth towel and rub the out part you intend to clear up. It doesn't take alot. If you look at the towel you'll see it looks like nicotine stains from what you have cleaned off. THen just polish with plastic polish. With the carb clean try a little and work your way up.