Deoxidize headlight attempt

[mcsteven]

I've heard more than once that an abrasive toothpaste will take off the oxidation on headlights. So, I got the necessary items and trying to see if this would work.

Toothpaste, orbital sander, some simple green to clean the light before and after, a soft cloth to use with the simple green, and a simple cleanup rag (turned out to be old shorts). Instead of using any sandpaper on the sander you wrap the rag around the area and let the sander provide the elbow grease.

Prior to cleaning, the lens had a definite yellow, though not all over, appearance.

After some cleaning the lens came out much cleaner. It does appear, though, that somebody tried to clean it previously, maybe with too rough of a grade of sandpaper. The yellow though is gone.


I can see that there is a difference in the color temperature of the before and after photos. The lens though is markedly different.

Thought I'd share.

EDIT: Also on the hood with the tools is Krylon clearcoat paint made for plastic and specifically non-yellowing. After I cleaned the lens, I pulled it out (easier to take the lamps out than to paper around it) and gave it three thin coats of the non-yellowing clearcoat. Made sure to give it plenty of time to dry between each coat.

 

[dmanns67]

Nice. A protective clear coat on the lens will help preserve the work. Not to mention fill in the micro scratches.

I think Chris Fix did a video on this topic as well.

 

[AWD V8]

I use a body polishing compound with an orbital polisher. Polish it just like I'd be polishing the paint.

If the lens is really hazy I use 1200 grit wet/dry paper. Keep the surface wet. The lens will now be glass smooth but will look hazyer. Now when you go over it with the polish it WILL clear up. The lens will usually come out very clear. Use some clear coat spray to make it last.

Works great on taillights that have gone hazy too.

 

[mcsteven]

Sorry, see edit above re: clear coat.

 

[Aarkon]

Maguires heavy duty headlight kits work very well

 

[IllogicTC]

Maguires heavy duty headlight kits work very well

I used some of their Plast-X and it worked alright, but I feel I should have gone with the heavy-duty kit (you mean the one that comes with the drill attachment, right?)

My right headlamp is a TYC replacement and has noticeable yellowing compared to the left. Don't point at me, it came off the used lot with the non-OEM.

 

[Aarkon]

I used some of their Plast-X and it worked alright, but I feel I should have gone with the heavy-duty kit (you mean the one that comes with the drill attachment, right?)

My right headlamp is a TYC replacement and has noticeable yellowing compared to the left. Don't point at me, it came off the used lot with the non-OEM.

Ya its In the black and yellow box

 

[mcsteven]

My right headlamp is a TYC replacement and has noticeable yellowing compared to the left.

Get the clear coat, non yellowing. I'm betting it'll do great.

 

[TheDeuce]

I used the 3M headlight restoration kit with the bit to add into a cordless drill. After the first half hour or so of trial and error, I ended up getting them very clear. The only thing I messed up I think was when i applied the clear coat. I added adhesive additive to assist the clear coat with sticking on the lens. The lens has turned a little bit cloudy, as if it was smeared, but it still is a tons better than before. At night I am surprised with how white the light is from the headlamps after unconsciously being accustomed to the yellow tinge. I read that if there is a good base coat of clear coat, that I can sand down a little bit and it should not remove all the clear coat, and the polishing should fix the smearing. And, if I have to do it again in 6 months anyways, it's really not that difficult of a process.

 

[Daniel644]

Honestly, thats a lot of work for those results, I've seen quicker better results using Mequiers Plast-X and a terry cotton rag and just my own hand and a few minutes. Provided the headlights haven't been porly restored using one of those sanding kits that have you do a wipe on acrylic at the end.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

How are they holding up with the clear?

 

[mcsteven]

It's only been about five weeks, but so far so good.

 

[Einst-Hawk]

Depending on how much money you have spent on materials and how much you think your time is worth... it might be cheaper just to go ahead and buy a new replacement headlight.


http://www.amazon.com/Evan-Fischer-EVA13572024447-Headlight-Composite-Passenger/dp/B009DJPFU4/ref=sr_1_11?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1425131233&vehicle=2006-48-519-296--9-6--7416---1-145-177-4-0&sr=1-11&ymm=2006%3Agmc%3Aenvoy

Just a thought

 

[mcsteven]

Depending on how much money you have spent on materials and how much you think your time is worth... it might be cheaper just to go ahead and buy a new replacement headlight.


http://www.amazon.com/Evan-Fischer-EVA13572024447-Headlight-Composite-Passenger/dp/B009DJPFU4/ref=sr_1_11?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1425131233&vehicle=2006-48-519-296--9-6--7416---1-145-177-4-0&sr=1-11&ymm=2006%3Agmc%3Aenvoy

Just a thought

I had thought about that, but at the time I was looking at having projector lamps made. For the price of $45, one, I would probably have considered it. But there are also plenty of places that will do the lights, as a pair, for $30. At least there are out here in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

[paulcmartin]

I would deoxidize my lenses and 6 months later they would be back to being cloudy. After buying two full kits I broke down & bought a replacement pair for $80 shipped from Ebay. They look great and haven't started the oxidize process since.

 

[mcsteven]

I would deoxidize my lenses and 6 months later they would be back to being cloudy. After buying two full kits I broke down & bought a replacement pair for $80 shipped from Ebay. They look great and haven't started the oxidize process since.

Paul,

When you would clean them, did you spray them with non-yellowing clear coat afterward? I think this is a newly recognized step by a lot of folks and I'm hoping it will keep them looking good longer.

 

[wagdatto]

Minor thread revival! Something to keep in mind is that the clear coat you put over the polished plastic is what will keep them from oxidizing again. That's where the 3M and Mothers kits get you - they give you subpar products so that you must do it again a few months down the road.

Spray paints will help to protect the lenses but may still fail if they aren't designed for UV protection. One trick I learned from an auto detailing forum was to polish the headlight as normal (sanding, compounding, what have you) then to seal it using a mixture of 1 part Mineral Spirits and 1 part Spar Urethane which is designed for UV protection and outdoor conditions. Mix the two together, and wipe on using a lintless paper towel.

I did this on my girlfriends accord, and my Passat- both of which were parked outside all day every day, and in the time that I did it to the time that we sold them about a year or two later, the headlights had not oxidized.

 

[Blckshdw]

One trick I learned from an auto detailing forum was to polish the headlight as normal (sanding, compounding, what have you) then to seal it using a mixture of 1 part Mineral Spirits and 1 part Spar Urethane which is designed for UV protection and outdoor conditions. Mix the two together, and wipe on using a lintless paper towel.

I've seen this recommended on a few forums, and I plan to give this a try the next time I need it on my own set.

 

[Mooseman]

Chrisfix put up a video of doing this but used Rostoleum UV clearcoat rattle can paint. Seems to work well.