-
-
Super Member
Re: Super hazy headlights after restoration 🤔
Are you polishing by hand or machine?
-
Re: Super hazy headlights after restoration 🤔
Wet sanding was done with cordless drill, polishing done with both drill (foam attachment included in kit) and DA polisher with microfiber pad.
-
Super Member
Re: Super hazy headlights after restoration 🤔
I've done plenty but have never sanded with below 1000 grit. IMO it's more trouble than it's worth when it comes to then refining them. I'd likely give it another go with 3000. They should eventually prove far clearer than this and then a final polish (I use Rolite brand polishes) will bring them to near 100%.
I wouldn't stress too much as once you hit them with Meguiar's G17804 Keep Clear Headlight (4oz spray can) even what you show here will come back to clear.
2019 Pearl White Accord 2.0T Touring (mine)
2023 Snowflake Pearl White CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus(wife)
2010 Urban Platinum Metallic CRV EX-L & 2014 Mica Black Metallic Toyota Corolla S (kids)
-
Super Member
Re: Super hazy headlights after restoration 🤔
I’m not sure exactly what year this Nissan Maxima was, but when I tried polishing the headlights they didn’t budge one bit. I’m talking zero change. So I’d say it has less to do with technique and more to do with Nissans from that era having cheap headlights.
And IME that Meguiars spray will not fix headlights that behave like this. I’ve tried it on my fathers Tacoma and once the plastic turns yellow all the way through there’s no fixing it.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
Re: Super hazy headlights after restoration 🤔
Originally Posted by
Eldorado2k
And IME that Meguiars spray will not fix headlights that behave like this. I’ve tried it on my fathers Tacoma and once the plastic turns yellow all the way through there’s no fixing it.
This thought goes in the same direction I was thinking too. I think there is a point in time where the hazing/discoloration is IN the plastic itself (or maybe the interior surface) and no longer an external surface issue.
I've been polishing the headlights on my daughter's Mazda for a few years now. One thing I noticed the last time is I can still get them really clear/new looking, but there are slight hints of cloudiness which appear to be either in the plastic itself or on the inside of the lens. You have to get really close and know what your looking at, but it's there and I'm confident it wasn't there in the past.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 3 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
Re: Super hazy headlights after restoration 🤔
Originally Posted by
Desertnate
This thought goes in the same direction I was thinking too. I think there is a point in time where the hazing/discoloration is IN the plastic itself (or maybe the interior surface) and no longer an external surface issue.
I've been polishing the headlights on my daughter's Mazda for a few years now. One thing I noticed the last time is I can still get them really clear/new looking, but there are slight hints of cloudiness which appear to be either in the plastic itself or on the inside of the lens. You have to get really close and know what your looking at, but it's there and I'm confident it wasn't there in the past.
These cheap license plate covers serve as the perfect example of that cheap plastic where that happens. I used to have several of these that showed the effects of that longterm sun damage and they turn yellow all the way through. I can’t remember if they finally got tossed or where they’re at right now.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Super hazy headlights after restoration 🤔
Greatly appreciate the input guys. I honestly think it's the plastic itself the more I think about it. The exterior surface of the lense is pretty much perfect. Also forgot to mention but I did use the Meguiars "keep clear coating" and it didn't make any difference besides adding just a bit of gloss to the surface. The headlight still looks hazy.
-
Super Member
Re: Super hazy headlights after restoration 🤔
Originally Posted by
Zcutty69
Greatly appreciate the input guys. I honestly think it's the plastic itself the more I think about it. The exterior surface of the lense is pretty much perfect. Also forgot to mention but I did use the Meguiars "keep clear coating" and it didn't make any difference besides adding just a bit of gloss to the surface. The headlight still looks hazy.
Then it's definitely on the inside or the plastic itself. I'd look at removing an assembly and swishing denatured alcohol around inside them to see if the haze is just from build up over time. If not at least you ruled that out. Worst case, look into simply replacements.
2019 Pearl White Accord 2.0T Touring (mine)
2023 Snowflake Pearl White CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus(wife)
2010 Urban Platinum Metallic CRV EX-L & 2014 Mica Black Metallic Toyota Corolla S (kids)
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Super hazy headlights after restoration 🤔
Yeah I'm looking into aftermarket replacements now. I might also open one up and try to clean the inside lightly with alcohol. Now can the inside of a headlight be sanded or polished at all ?
Bookmarks