How To: Clear up foggy headlights

Midgear · 08-08-2006, 08:15 PM

So i was browsing wally farts, looking for an accessory or two for my new olds, and i stumble across "5 minute optical polish for headlights".. I had my doubts but for a measily 10 bucks i had to try it.. Took it home, stuck it on the power drill, slapped a buffing pad on, gave it some water, and started buffing the crap out of the lights, and nothing.

So I figured id come here and look around for some tips, and i found that some have actually taken fine grit sand paper to their headlights.. I figured its worth a shot, went back to good ol' wally farts and bought some 1000 grit sand paper, came back home and started sanding away (using water with the sand paper).. when i got done sanding and looked at my headlight when i dried it off i was kinda shocked to see how hazy and foggy it was due to sanding, but i had nothing to loose from that point if the optical polish i bought didnt work.. so i started polishing.. and about 15 minutes later, heres the results..

Can you tell the difference?

The smaller photo is the before shot, and the bigger photo is after the sanding and buffing. It actually made it CRYSTAL clear, I am very amazed.

smlzalero · 08-08-2006, 08:17 PM

chrome polish works best IMO, but you go head with the "Optical Polish" lol

doubleN0alero · 08-08-2006, 08:18 PM

it definately looks 100 times better than it did before

jackal2000 · 08-08-2006, 08:18 PM

decent work!!

p1mptress · 08-08-2006, 08:20 PM

Yea it looks better. I kind of ran into something like that when i had the silicone all over the headlights from doing the clear corners. I found some rubbing compound and used it on my headlights to get the silicone off of them and the headlights looks really nice after. Good thing I have the rubbing compound b/c when i was at the auto store today to buy a bulb someone slammed their door into my car, so now i have a new project

Midgear · 08-08-2006, 08:22 PM

That sucks p1mptress.. hope you get that fixed!

p1mptress · 08-08-2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midgear

That sucks p1mptress.. hope you get that fixed!

yea I was kindof upset since I just washed the car, so I knew it just happened! But oh well bitching isn't going to make it look better, i think this is a sign I should get a new paint job. Maybe when i win the lottery!!

AftermathAlero · 08-08-2006, 08:39 PM

Clear coat the headlights after wetsanding and polishing. That will fix it for a long time.

Vtolds · 08-08-2006, 08:45 PM

metal polish then plastic polish works good also.

SweetNLow · 08-08-2006, 08:56 PM

when using sandpaper on headlights.... you have to sand straight up and down across the entire lens......... then you have sand 90degrees in the oposite direction.

you should finsih with 2000 grit paper no matter what grit you start with. AND THEN YOU STILL HAVE TO USE PLASTIC POLISH.

the plastic polish removes any haze that is left. thats why they cleared up after you polished them again

Oldsman · 08-08-2006, 11:05 PM

using plastic polish with a buffing wheel works a lot better than any hand rub polish

alero440 · 08-09-2006, 09:33 AM

i like the 3M plastic polish I bought. Works wonders on everything I have used it on.

AlbinoMonkeyRat · 08-09-2006, 01:41 PM

either sticky this thread, or move it to the how-to. lots of good info here. (might need to edit with a couple little things...like the title. lol)

doubleN0alero · 08-09-2006, 02:42 PM

I went ahead and changed this to How To and moved it accordingly. You're right Randy, there is a bunch of good information in this thread, thanks to all those that contributed...

eag182 · 08-09-2006, 03:09 PM

Post better pictures, I can't see crap in those.

Midgear · 08-09-2006, 07:11 PM

I'll get some pics a.s.a.p

Midgear · 08-09-2006, 07:33 PM

Ok.. heres some -better- pics.. (i hope so anyways..)

This is BEFORE sanding and buffing..

This is AFTER sanding and buffing.. (i cant help the reflection.. their shiney now LOL)

Love the results.. others should try this!

MixtapeMessiah · 08-12-2006, 05:18 PM

Im gonna be doin this tomorrow, my left headlight is fogged up rediculous style and mine should look good like that again with my clear corners. You just used 1000 grit sandpaper and 3M plastic polish?

Midgear · 08-12-2006, 05:30 PM

I used 1000 grit sand paper to get all the yellow crap / build-up and other fine scratches out of the lense (dont let the hazyness scare you when your done sanding.. it comes out after the buffing / polishing)

Go to wal-mart and buy "5 Minute Optical Polish for Headlights".. its in the accessories section by automotive.. the instructions are on the box, just sand the headlights down first! and be sure to use water when buffing the headlights.. my retarded ass tried doing it with the pad dry cause i didnt see anything where it said "add water" lol

ALSO: When you're sanding the headlights, be sure to use wet sand paper and use water while sanding, the sand paper will last longer too when its wet..

Hope this helps!

MixtapeMessiah · 08-13-2006, 12:07 AM

awesome, im gonna do that tomorrow and put my 3rd brake light alero cover i got for 10 bux on ebay on lol.