Hi fellas, with my previous cars, I have used this cleaner (pic below), and just wondering what do you guys recommend or what do you guys prefer to prevent the headlights from becoming nasty and clouded/fogged up.

 

Usually in the nice weather seasons when I detail my car, I would use a rubbing compound to polish them. That usually gets rid of any build up and ect, then I seal it with wax and call it a day. I also so the same to my tail lights.

 

*awaits to hear JnC's reply*

 

why dont u guys just put some stoneguard on it? that will protect it from future cracks or hazing.

 

How do you guys usually go about removing cloudiness from the headlights? Sand and polish?

 

^^Yep, wetsand, start with 600, 1200, 2000, then 3m compound with a small cutting pad on a drill, then a good wax to protect it...worked on my 99 accord with 305k... you should work each grit for about 5-10min on each headlight...came out like almost new...I got the velcro drill adaptor from harbor freight, and small orange foam cutting pads from Auto Geek...

 

What's the best sealant to use after they've been cleared? Just a polymer wax or is there a specialty product?

 

Ugh lol. I don't know anything about wetsanding :/

 

Don't bother with wet-sanding-- auto parts stores carry headlight polishing kits which all work the same way: with a fine abrasive like Plast-X, compound or even toothpaste. The kits with drill-mounted balls probably would work best.
I just used Meguiar's Plast-X plastic cleaner with a buffer (after taping off the painted surfaces) to clean off the headlights on the TL and minivan.

There are sealants/protectants you can use after polishing, starting with wax, but I haven't used any of those yet; some of the headlight polishing kits include that as well.

 

+1. I would stay away from any kit that requires sanding because our headlights are sealed with a UV protection layer. When I make custom headlights for customers I use a sand-less kit and re apply a UV protection layer. If you use a sanding kit it will just get back to being cloudy over weeks because that UV layer is gone. Headlights get cloudy because of the sun which is why that UV layer is applied. Try parking your car in the shade or garage and it will protect the headlight further.

If you happen to sand the headlights down and clean them up, try putting clear vinyl on the headlights, which will protect the headlights from clouding and from rocks and debris.

 

What about 303 protectant?

Also, I note that my 1999 accord still had new looking headlights when I sold it a couple of months ago. I parked it in a garage at home, sometimes under the deck at work, sometimes not. When parking in the sun, I always tried to park facing north as much as possible (facing away from the most direct sunlight).

Never had to polish or restore, never used any protectant. I think shelter from direct sun must have helped the most.

 

I went ahead and used the 3M kit today on my headlights. They came out REALLY nice!! The kit was 24 bucks at auto zone w/ a $5 mail in rebate. Since mine weren't THAT bad, I used the 3000 disk only and the buffer w/ 3M rubbing compound. Finished off with two coats of wax (polymer) and 3M protector film.

 

In for this. My buddy's TSX and my dads G35 both have this problem. They clean em up and it always comes back. If somebody knows a sealant that will keep it clear, let me know. I'll look up info on Stoneguard that was mentioned. Anybody else had success with it?

 

ive heard a few good things about the dr headlight service. they have some kind of special resin that is applied to the lenses, makes the lights look brand new and has the UV protectant. il probably do this to my headlights after the winter. here is the website http://www.drheadlight.com/

 

I've personally used PlastX on tons of headlights and it comes out clean. If the oxidation is to the point where it looks like dried glue on the headlight (i've seen several that bad), multi stage wet sanding and fine cut compound/polish does the trick.

 

If you mean Stonguard, this appears to be a clear paint protection sheet similar to clear bra. That might keep the oxidation from returning, but I wonder how much if any, it would affect headlight function.

This actually looks pretty cool. Downside is, there are none local to me, and it doesn't say anything about what they charge to do this.

But what do they look like several months later. I know my dad has gotten his on the G clean, but it always comes back.

 

Sanding is fine. Just make sure to apply a sealant once it has been finished. Check my DIY in the 3G garage.

Most "headlight restorations kits" are just a simple polish. Nothing special. To truly get the hazing out, you need to either sand or buff.

 

manu, please don't do that. You're just going to waste your money.

Apply a good sealant, and you're good to go.

Check our detailing vendors and/or check the Wash & Wash section of the boards for a wealth of information on maintaining your paint, leather, plastics, and headlights. You can get a good sealant from our vendors for like <$20 and it can be applied to anything on your car including your wheels.

 

i remember getting a quote for 100 in my area with lifetime warranty. i probably wont do it though. il check out the wash section to see if i can get a sealant, thanks man

 

A cheaper alternative is to put a couple coats of wax on the headlights after cleaning them and then adhere the 3M protection film over the headlight.

 

I used that in the past and it works well. I'm not big on wet sanding. It seems like once you wet sand you constantly have to do it.

 

Someone used this product to clear up my headlights, he's actually a body man and they came out great and I use this for maintenance.

 

What do you use?

 

If your headlights are fine now .. done use and abrasive like that to "keep" them that way .. you will be removung part of the UV protection layer.

Use a good sealant on them that will take the heat. The headlights get warm and most carnuba based waxes, or most OTC products will break down with the heat.

NuFinish liquid is a good sealant and can be layered if done at least 12h hours apart. Good for wheels too.

 

I wonder if somethign like this would work: http://www.krylon.com/products/crystal_clear_acrylic/

 

^^Depending on how much was put on , the heat might might just make it haze and/or crack.




Jesstzn, how often would the Nufinish have to be reapplied, with every car wash?

 

Found this thread: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...oat-2-0-a.html

seems like something to try (using a urethane based clear)

 

[QUOTE=A SiQ TL;13367258


Jesstzn, how often would the Nufinish have to be reapplied, with every car wash?[/QUOTE]

Its a sealant and doesn't wash off .. a couple layers and it will last many washes as long as your useing a proper car wash soap.

 

So is this just a sealant like Zaino's Z-2, or like Z-6. My 06 TL doesn't have any headlight clouding issues, but should I be using either of these on my headlights? I already use them on my car, but don't put any on the headlights.

If either of these will work, I'll try them on my dad's G35 after he buffs the haze out.

 

Yeep

 

Alright, thank you for your responses guys. I will just leave it as it is, and use some cleaner, something not to rough since it is not showing any cloud/haze yet...

 

At this point I wouldn't use any more than the car wash soap and then the occasional layer of sealant.

 

From my understanding of plastics they add an additive to the plastic to keep it from yellowing from uv...yes it helps to seal it but most of the protection comes from the grade used during injection molding. What a good way to protect the headlight is to use 3m clear bra. I would sand it using2500 grit to remove dings, polish it using your favorite polish then use 3m clear bra to protect it....just my