Best fix for headlights that is turning yellow-ish

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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 12:48 AM
  #1  
teeeejaay's Avatar
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Cool Best fix for headlights that is turning yellow-ish

I was trying to search through this forums, but there is wayyy too much things going on. lol
Does anyone have any input about the best way I could fix this problem? Its just the headlights are getting that yellow look when it gets older.

Heard there is ways to help make it look clearer

Any help would be appreciated, Thank you in advance
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 12:57 AM
  #2  
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I'm pretty sure you can call a reputable detailer or shop who can buff and add a clearcoat on them to keep them from oxidizing but for a price will vary. I plan to do the exact same thing, mine are just barely on the edge of my right headlight is oxidizing(hazing yellowish) .

If you dont want to pay than there is the option of if you have the experience in using a buffer/rotary, but someone with more insight can chime in but I think there are threads on this topic. As I dont want give the wrong info.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 01:19 AM
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Originally Posted by teeeejaay
I was trying to search through this forums, but there is wayyy too much things going on. lol
Does anyone have any input about the best way I could fix this problem? Its just the headlights are getting that yellow look when it gets older.

Heard there is ways to help make it look clearer

Any help would be appreciated, Thank you in advance
Alot of people have used headlight restoration kits from walmart, amazon, and all the autoparts stores. Theres meguires and and 3m kit that are pretty good i havent used one myself(although i should soon). search using "headlight restoration" that should yield better results. If your still having problems finding results. You could post in the wash and wax thread in the off topic area and ask the professionals in there, but the kits from what i have heard usually work pretty well. Goodluck.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s-...n-Kit/16386195
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...hedFrom=header

Last edited by dontTL'em'nothing; Aug 24, 2012 at 01:21 AM.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 01:31 AM
  #4  
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Sandpaper, some compound and/or polish, sealant, and a microfiber towel.

Buffer, some compound and/or polish, and a microfiber towel.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 01:41 AM
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Toothpaste and a microfiber will work if your looking to spend next to nothing.

If not then get a Meguiars restoration kit it works pretty good i think it leaves a coat of clearcoat to prevent future oxidation aswell
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 02:09 AM
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I used one from Turtle Wax on my sisters Jetta and it worked great.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 02:17 AM
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I heard the toothpaste method works pretty well. It's worth a shot.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 04:41 AM
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You can use 3M headlight restoration kit and then apply x-pel headlight film on the lenses to keep them looking new for years. If you were to JUST use any headlight restoration kit and leave the headlights as they are then they'll go yellow again in a couple of months as there is nothing protecting the lenses from UV rays.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 11:12 AM
  #9  
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^^^ with what you said, I used Meguiars Scratch X2.0 and it works wonders on head lights and other misc scratches on your vehicle. with head lights tho you are right, I had to do it about every 3-6 months, didnt bother me tho, pretty much just Wax on....wax off.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 11:38 AM
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I used the Turtle Wax kit and it looked great for awhile, but came back quickly. It includes the clear coat applicant for the end, which is a HUGE plus. Not sure why the clear didn't last longer. I think I've got larger issue on the inside on the headlights also. Too bad JNC isn't closer
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 12:30 PM
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I used the 3M kit and then coated the headlight with a urethane/mineral spirits mixture.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 01:53 PM
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This stuff is AWESOME!



I really can't put into words how much I love this product. I've been using it for about 3 years and I've done multiple cars multiple times with just one ball and one bottle of cleaner.

Here's Geetee Dan's headlights when he came to my place to clear them. Look how nasty and hazy they were:





Then I got that Mother's ball out and DID WORK...







More pictures in this album: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjB78H6s

Like I said, I love that product and would recommend it to everyone. It's super easy to use and priced very reasonably.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 02:00 PM
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Your headlights are yellowing due to a failing UV protective coating.

Headlight restoration kits are a cheap and easy way to make them look clear again. Just keep in mind that these kits work by using mild abrasives to remove the oxidation, but in the process they also remove whatever UV protection that was left. This basically leaves your headlights "naked", so they will yellow up again in a few months.

I've heard people say you can apply "x, y, z" to the headlights to keep them from yellowing again, but as far as I know, none of these claims have been substantiated. Here's a good thread on the subject with some input from lighting experts: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...ns-Restoration
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 02:09 PM
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1. Use 3M restore kit
2. http://www.lamin-x.com/Acura-TL-2004-to-2008-s/115.htm
3. ?????
4. Profit!
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 06:45 PM
  #15  
teeeejaay's Avatar
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Originally Posted by JnC
You can use 3M headlight restoration kit and then apply x-pel headlight film on the lenses to keep them looking new for years. If you were to JUST use any headlight restoration kit and leave the headlights as they are then they'll go yellow again in a couple of months as there is nothing protecting the lenses from UV rays.
Thank you! I was wondering what to do when it gets past like 2 or 3 months. This sounds good im going to have to try this out.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 07:51 PM
  #16  
catmx's Avatar
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I used the 3M kit over one year ago...head lights are still just as good as the day I completed.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 08:03 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by CLtotheTL32
This stuff is AWESOME!



I really can't put into words how much I love this product. I've been using it for about 3 years and I've done multiple cars multiple times with just one ball and one bottle of cleaner.

Here's Geetee Dan's headlights when he came to my place to clear them. Look how nasty and hazy they were:

Then I got that Mother's ball out and DID WORK...

Like I said, I love that product and would recommend it to everyone. It's super easy to use and priced very reasonably.
I use the same kit which I got at Pepboys and it works great just like you said. I also bought some liquid "Headlight Sealer" by Blue Magic (http://bluemagicusa.com/index.php/bl...c/products/238) which I applied after using the mothers kit, and it definitely helps keep them from yellowing as fast.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 08:48 PM
  #18  
Bruce Banner's Avatar
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I miss my old CB7 headlights...REAL glass....
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 10:57 PM
  #19  
teeeejaay's Avatar
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Originally Posted by SLAYER6669
I use the same kit which I got at Pepboys and it works great just like you said. I also bought some liquid "Headlight Sealer" by Blue Magic (http://bluemagicusa.com/index.php/bl...c/products/238) which I applied after using the mothers kit, and it definitely helps keep them from yellowing as fast.
The blue magic might be worth a shot, the other films to put over is like $70 plus...
Thank you for the advice
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Old Aug 25, 2012 | 03:04 AM
  #20  
roof2006's Avatar
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Thanks for the tips on the Mothers kit. My TL stays garaged, but I bought some other product (I forget which) at the auto parts store to use on my Camry, and it sucked big time.
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