how to repair yellowed headlights

[dragonflye767]

Ive heard of a few different methods using wet sandpaper and rubbing compound anyone have a good outcome doing this?

thx

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I did it with my old 5.0L LX. Lights were really yellow. Started with 360 if you can believe that and worked my way though about 5-different grades all the way up to 2000-wet. I then went over it with a super fine polishing compound and finally work it over with a nice heavy coat of carnauba paste wax. Mine turned out really well.

The secret to pulling it off without going crazy is to grind off the little “nubs” on the lights molded to the lens in order to align them at the factory. They really serve no purpose otherwise, other than to tear up your sand paper.

 

[dragonflye767]

thanks

I will give it it a try

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Another thing to make note of, depending how "yellow" and oxidized your lights are, you might not need to start with such an abrasive grit. If they're just turning yellow and not really pitted from road debris, or severely sun damaged, feel free to start with 500 or so. Something else that really clears off the yellow is a rag full of paint thinner after the initial rough sanding. Just keep in mind you'll definitely have to go over them with sand paper in different stages to polish them after that, since it turns them cloudy almost instantly.

And don’t have the rag on there too long, it actually will start breaking down the plastic. Just enough to get the initial junk off the lens, then wash it off in cold water and start with the sanding.

 

[ChingonStang]

There is an even easier way to clean em. Trash em and buy some new ones in clear lens or smoked.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

There is an even easier way to clean em. Trash em and buy some new ones in clear lens or smoked.

Ahhh, but never underestimate what labors and hard ships us cheap skates will go through to save a buck!

 

[ChingonStang]

Ahhh, but never underestimate what labors and hard ships us cheap skates will go through to save a buck!

I hear that. When mine yellowed out on my 96, I replaced them clear lens ones.

 

[dragonflye767]

thanks for the tips

If that dont work i will buy new ones but would rather try to keep the stock ones if i can.

 

[racefan966]

I wet sanded my 98 with 2000 and then used system one polish with a wool pad on a drill and when done it looked like new. I did the same on my 95 F-150 too, love the results and saved lots of money too.