Cleaning Plastic Headlight Lense...what do i use?

[Heavy Duty]

I did a search on this topic and didn't come up with anything. I have a '99 Mustang that has some serious hazing on the outside surface. Looks like someone did some fine sand blasting on the lense or some kind of chemical was sprayed on it. It is so bad that it reduces the amount of light on the road. Ford wants $675.00 per unit to replace. since the lense is part of the headlight assembly you have to buy the entire unit.

Thanks.

H.D.

 

[Florida Guy]

I would start off with toothpaste (not gel) first. I use that for my sunfogged headlamps. If that doesn't work you may have to go to something with a more abrasive grit. Good luck.

 

[Heavy Duty]

I would start off with toothpaste (not gel) first. I use that for my sunfogged headlamps. If that doesn't work you may have to go to something with a more abrasive grit. Good luck.

Thanks. i'll give it a try. The lense is not crazed. It has a very rough surface and it feels rough. I've seen other Mustangs of the same year and their headlight lenses are so clear and smooth that you can see the bulb in them. Not so with mine. It was like that when I bought it and i thought it was normal. I do remember some company (Eclers, Mid-America) selling some sort of chemical that would remove it. Cann't find it though in their catelogs.

Thanks again. Do you use a tooth brush also or just the toothpaste?

H.D.

 

[Florida Guy]

Wrap a soft cloth around the end of your index finger and apply the toothpaste.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Wrap a soft cloth around the end of your index finger and apply the toothpaste.

Thanks. Glad i don't have to use the toothbrush. Since I'll be doing this in the apartment complex parking lot i think I would have a hard time explaining what I'm doing if you know what I mean .

H.D.

 

[OLDCHEV]

Try Eastwood.com They have several products that will work.

Good Luck!

 

[slapshot]

Meguire's makes a plastic polish, we use it on the boat windshields at work. It does a great job.

 

[JohnZ]

Novus also makes a two-step product specifically for polycarbonate and plexiglass, used for aircraft canopies and windshields; the FBO at your local general aviation airport will have it.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Thanks guys. I'll start with the tooth paste and if that doesn't work keep moving up the ladder. I sure as He!! am not paying that kind of money to replace them if i can get them to looking half way decent.

Cheers

H.D.

 

[G Winter]

3M has a plastic cleaner in a small black bottle. About $8 if you need I can get the part number .

 

[Heavy Duty]

3M has a plastic cleaner in a small black bottle. About $8 if you need I can get the part number .

Thanks and yes i would like the part number. I gave the tooth paste a try and it did get rid of some of the haze/crazing but not all of it. I think GMJ is right about using a drill or a buffer. My next move is to try the Permatex that GMJ listed along with a buffer. If that fails then i guess the next step is to hit the junk yard and see if i can locate a set of headlights for it. I have never seen this type of hazing/crazing on a set of headlights! it is all most like someone sprayed a chemical on them. The surface is very rough and cloudy looking. The area is mostly in the center of both headlight lenses right where the main light beam would be projected out onto the road. The edges are clear and clean. Ford wants just over $600.00 for each one. Since the headlight is one piece, you have to get the entire assemble. I guess they must be made out of gold!

Thanks for the help guys.

H.D.

 

[Grizzly]

Meguire's makes a plastic polish, we use it on the boat windshields at work. It does a great job.

Just used this on my 94 Lincoln and it cleaned the headlight right up

 

[JonM]

Meguires Before and After

 

[Heavy Duty]

Jon, That looks great. What kind of pad do you have on the drill?


H.D.

 

[JonM]

Jon, That looks great. What kind of pad do you have on the drill?


H.D.

Scotchbrite I found at a flea market...but I have seen them on line and in hardware stores

 

[Eric]

I couldn't find the Meguiars Plastic cleaner and polish in any stores. I finally found and purchased it at this site --> http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars1017.html

 

[Heavy Duty]

Thanks for the site Eric. Looks like I'll be having a little fun this Memorial Day .


H.D.

 

[Eric]

Thanks for the site Eric. Looks like I'll be having a little fun this Memorial Day .


H.D.

No problem, they are awesome! I think they sell everything Meguiars makes.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Yep. Just ordered the stuff. The prices appear to be WAYyyy better than Ecklers. Thanks again for the site. i have them saved onto my favorites.


H.D.

 

[G Winter]

Heres the part number for the 3M professional foumula Plastic Cleanner for clear and colored plastics . Seems to be two numbers 051131 and below that in large numbers is 39017 8 oz black bottle. You should be able to get it at almost any parts store.

Glenn