Headlight fading and scratches

[1995DodgeRam1500]

Yellow, faded headlight cover repair...
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Cloudy, scratched headlight lens covers are a safety hazard as well as a blemish on your vehicle. This condition occurs because the plastic is overexposed to UV light. The cloudiness starts at the exterior surface of the lens cover and spreads inward. In intense sun climates, this damage can be apparent within a couple of years of purchasing a new car.

The good news is that this damage is very common and might be fixable if it is done correctly. Remember this is clear plastic if you don't do it correctly you won't have clear plastic.

Tape off the area surrounding the headlights using painter’s tape. Clean off any loose debris using any good glass cleaner and a soft microfiber towel.

Next, do a little wet sanding with either about a 1200 grit sandpaper or some very fine steel wool. Keep it wet (as in running water not just wet paper or steel wool) and clean it often to avoid scratches. You are done when you get to where you don't see any of the yellow cloudy plastic anymore. For really stubborn lenses it may be necessary to use a little rubbing compound . Even though, you can hand sand, you can use a small sander or a drill attachment, as long as you are careful not to go beyond the cloudy outer coating of the plastic and ONLY, ONLY if you have a LOT of experience using this type of equipment. Personally I don't recommend the sander or drill method. Remember, only take off enough plastic to be rid of the dingy outer layer, too much and you will weaken the plastic cover. Be sure to wash the cover well to remove any grit, giving you a nice, clean, smoother surface for the next step.

Now all you have to do is shine it up and protect it from happening all over again. You need to apply some kind of plastic polisher/restorer and if it's also not a protectant, then you need to apply that product last.
There are a variety of products such as "Flitz" available off the internet and some higher end detailing/automotive stores.

You apply it just like you would a paste wax, wipe it on, buff it in either by hand with a LOT of elbow grease or with a small buffer, let dry to a slight haze and wipe off.

This would be my personal opinion on this subject. When I worked in the paint shop at GM the way we bugged defects was to:

Whatever polish you apply make sure you keep the polish wheel turning at very high speed, actually WET with the polish if you allow it to dry it will start scratching. The higher the speed and the finer the abrasive in the polish the better this will turn out. If you don't think you can handle the buffer HAND POLISH!

If you aren't careful you will end up needing to replace the headlights, PLEASE if you are uncertain have it done by someone who has more experience doing this type of work. A friend had this done at a local body shop and he had to replace his lights because they had an inexperienced person on one of the lights. It looked milky when it was washed.



If you wrote this you left it laying on the floor at another site. I just picked it up for you.