The headlights on my 93 T-100 and very cloudy causing the light to be dim. It looks like the clear plastic is turning white from the sun. Can they be polished up to be clear again or do I need new headlights? Bob

 

I recently had to get some bodywork done on my 2000 Maxima. Part of this included buffing minor scrathes out of the clear plastic corner lenses. These actually had some gouges in them from someone side swiping me. After the buffing, they look brand new. If the hazing is on the outside, maybe a body shop can work the same magic for you. I hope this helps.

 

Do a google search for Supra and headlight mod or some similar phrase. I remember a site about guys with '94+ Supra using a Meguiars plastic polish to clear up the haze and scratches on their headlight covers.

 

RWD:

Alot of aquarium owners use this stuff to buff out scratches in their acrylic tanks. I imagine you could use the same for your headlight lenses. Basically its wetsanding w/ very fine grit sand paper:

(http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=6&pCatId=3883

Not sure if it will work, but worth a shot.

Bob

 

Thanks guys for the advice. I'll first try some polish then maybe some rubbing compound and see what happens. If it's still cloudy I'll try the wet sandpaper trick. I actually have two of those kits for my 300 gal. acrylic reef tank! It works very good for that so I may be in luck.

 

Having been in the detail biz, I've seen my share of discolored plastic lens. Tails are easy to buff out (they have a dull wetsanded look) and sometimes headlights have a light hazing...buffable with a high speed buffer. There are those that are cloudy right through the plastic, kinda sunburned/discolored. No amount of buffing will restore those. Try working on a small area, if you can make it clear, go for it. If it still looks discolored, you may need new lights. Good luck.
butnut

 

I restore headlights on the side for extra cash. You need to start out if they're really bad with 400 wet sand and work your way up to 2000 grit then polish with a high speed using a good plastic polish. I feel mothers is the best. Re-aply mothers once a month as it contains a great u.v. protectant. If they're not that bad start off with 800 or 1000 grit, use small circular motions and keep graduating up to a finer paper. It takes some practice but it works. Buffing alone won't do it. I get $80.00 to $100.00 a pair and people are shocked at how well they turn out. Good luck!!

BTW either wrap your finger tips with electrical tape or use rubber gloves. If you don't you'll sand your finger tips off, nice and raw:cry:

mike