Horrible buildup on headlights...

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Old May 17, 2007 | 04:46 PM
  #1  
mle724's Avatar
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Horrible buildup on headlights...

I've searched the threads and didn't find the answer I needed. Help!

My '04 TL has a horrible buildup on the headlights. Nothing I've tried seems to clean it off.

Can someone point me in the right direction? I can take a pic of it if necessary. Its worse on the driver side headlight than the passenger side.

Thanks in advance.
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Old May 17, 2007 | 04:51 PM
  #2  
260 HP's Avatar
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Try detailing claybar or Meguiar's PlastX.
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Old May 17, 2007 | 05:14 PM
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Thanks, will give it a try. Use all the other Meguiar's products faithfully and somehow had never heard of or seen PlastX. Will try it tonight.
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Old May 17, 2007 | 08:09 PM
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post a pic, it could be on the inside of the light.
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Old May 17, 2007 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by csmeance
post a pic, it could be on the inside of the light.
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Old May 18, 2007 | 01:54 AM
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THTL's Avatar
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post a before and after pictures please.
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Old May 18, 2007 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by 260 HP
Try detailing claybar or Meguiar's PlastX.
Claybar works for me for getting tough stuff off the outside of the plastic lens.
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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 11:42 AM
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Whatever you do, avoid anything very abrasive. Once you etch (scratch) the plastic (polycarbonate) you create a microsurface for more dirt, etc. to cling to...and worse yet, form some kind of chemical bond - which could compound the problem. There are lens polishes...very, very fine grit...and Google "headlight lens oxidation (removers)".

Whenever you clean the lens, first turn off the lamp. Second, use lots of water; NEVER EVER wipe a dirty lens with a dry cloth or sponge. Doing so, you might as well use sandpaper to clean the lens.

Let us know what your solution ultimately was.
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 07:18 AM
  #9  
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2005, Acura TL, 5AT
 
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Why are the headlight lenses on the 3G TL fading after only 3-5 years on the road? This is my 5th Honda and I've never had this problem before. My paint is beautiful and my headlights are fading... bummer..
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 03:21 PM
  #10  
lariat's Avatar
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Originally Posted by theloweman
Why are the headlight lenses on the 3G TL fading after only 3-5 years on the road? This is my 5th Honda and I've never had this problem before. My paint is beautiful and my headlights are fading... bummer..
Just get some Mequiars PlastX and use a buffer (or by hand) and it should clear them up, then apply a good wax every time you wax the car. Mequiars also now makes a headlight restoration kit that has everything you need.
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 04:09 PM
  #11  
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I am starting to get a slight hase on my 02 CLS. Might look the mequiars kit up
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 07:04 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by mle724
I've searched the threads and didn't find the answer I needed. Help!

My '04 TL has a horrible buildup on the headlights. Nothing I've tried seems to clean it off.

Can someone point me in the right direction? I can take a pic of it if necessary. Its worse on the driver side headlight than the passenger side.

Thanks in advance.
Buff those bad boys
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Old Apr 10, 2009 | 11:25 AM
  #13  
carlos9827's Avatar
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Just yesterday I discovered some oxidation on both of mine today and just about flipped. I've seen it on other cars and think it looks disgusting. And For some reason I guess I just had this idea that I could not happen on 3G TLs And I didn't really expect it (this soon at least) since I had NEVER seen it on any other 3G TL up until today when I saw it on mine.









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Old Apr 10, 2009 | 01:14 PM
  #14  
I hate cars's Avatar
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This was good timing. Just noticed it on my '06.
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Old Apr 14, 2009 | 10:20 PM
  #15  
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Mine were a little hazy so I just had my body guy wetsand and buff them when he painted my front end. I need to do a good spring clay/polish/wax this weekend. It will be nice to do it on a car with no chips/headlight haze for a change.
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 06:14 PM
  #16  
N3fs02TLTypeSpeed's Avatar
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From: Toronto Canada
Wetsanding Headlights DIY
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-photograph-gallery-99/fun-sandpaper-580286/
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