Exterior of Headlight Clouding

Fuzzyspudkiss · 08-10-2011, 05:59 PM

The outside of my passenger side headlight (or so it appears to be the outside) is starting to get a bit of a cloudy look to it. Is there anything that I can do to clean this off? A fine grit sandpaper or some sort of cleaning solution? I just don't want to screw it up worse, at the moment its just getting a bit yellow and a little less clear compared to the drivers side one.

Dobbie · 08-10-2011, 07:30 PM

I used the 3M headlight restoration kit worked great for me. Watch the video first just so you know what to expect before hand, but it was really worth it. Just make sure you have the time to do it without rushing and it works out great.

I even have some before and afters of doing it on my wife's 2001 Sentra;

Before

After

TdotAlero · 08-10-2011, 07:55 PM

I just got Turtle Wax's Headlight restoration kit. Comes with a few gels and pads. Might do it tonight or weekend so I'll take a few pics as I go.

robalero · 08-11-2011, 05:16 AM

buffing it also works. a temp solution and not a perm one at all is take some auto tranny fluid put a small amount on a rag or cloth and wipe it on the headlights

Christato71 · 08-11-2011, 11:01 AM

You can also just pick up a small amount of rubbing compound, it worked well for removing the haze.

TdotAlero · 08-14-2011, 09:05 PM

Just used the mentioned Turtle Wax product and it worked great. I will try to get a picture later to post. $12 well spent. Will recommend to this product to others.

Fuzzyspudkiss · 08-15-2011, 01:08 AM

Alright guys, I think I will go and pick up some turtle wax and try that. Like I said, its not bad at all, but I would like to stop it while its easy to fix.

Gr1m · 08-15-2011, 02:54 AM

this 3M kit is great. you really cant get them fully clear unless you use a kit like it that you actually sand down the surface.

jhubbz · 08-15-2011, 11:47 AM

i was gonna say, can't you wetsand with 1500+/- and just use rubbing compound?

Dobbie · 08-15-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhubbz

i was gonna say, can't you wetsand with 1500+/- and just use rubbing compound?

You can (I did) but it will not turn out as clear as working up from lower grits first. Working up really helps remove pits, well that is what I have noticed.

jhubbz · 08-15-2011, 12:09 PM

yea, thats what i meant. you dont necessarily need one of those kits to do it. same concept as tinting tail lights to make em smooth and shiny!