Headlight Lens Restoration

[OG68]

Can anyone suggest a good plastic lens restoration product that actually works?
I really don't want to pay $700 for a pair of Off-Shore headlights for the wife's Cadillac.

[DavesGTO]

Best results I have gotten were from the Mckees 37 kit. I used the cheaper one, now they sell a bigger version too.


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[1965gp]

I used a high powered buffer and light compound on my dads 2007 Equinox and it made them look like new. Took a little time but it was worth it.

[433lemans]

This may sound very simplified but I have used hand applied chrome polish on my KIA Optima headlights with great results. Just apply to a clean rag and hand polish to finish. Repeat as necessary. It works for me.

[433lemans]

After reviewing this I'd like to clarify what I used to polish my headlights. It was not chrome polish but instead it was Mag and Aluminum polish. Sorry. It really does work good with only a little elbow grease. Now I can sleep at night lol.

[Trevor78]

A lot of the time a plastic polish isn't required if the headlights are in good condition as they have a clear coating and regular polish works. It's only after it delaminates, chips or gets thin that you may need both as the actual plastic surface is now exposed. Careful buffing too much, can easily make good headlights become bad headlights when it burns through.

[Cammer-6]

I was looking at some today on a 2011 and was thinking I could buff it clear,but looked at directly infront of the light bulb and saw many cracks on the inside of lens.
So Im now looking at replacing the lens at $40 each vs $900 for headlights.
HID is neat until its time to replace.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by 433lemans

After reviewing this I'd like to clarify what I used to polish my headlights. It was not chrome polish but instead it was Mag and Aluminum polish. Sorry. It really does work good with only a little elbow grease. Now I can sleep at night lol.

Just saw this... I use mothers mag & alum polish on my 4th gen 4runner headlight housings, alomg with many other models they get a yellowish haze to them, the mothers polish gets them looking almost like new with just hand polishing, use a buffer at low speeds & its even better.

The key to keeping them clear is to use a protective coating after polishing, normal car wax works for awhile but they will yellow again after a few months in summer sun. The headlight restore kits have a longer lasting clear you apply by hand after polishing that lasts longer than wax but not forever. Some guys use an actual paint clear that probably lasts the longest.

I dont mind doing a quick mothers polish every year or 2 to keep them nice, for $5 its well worth it & is great for polishing other aluminum items too. New toyota lights are very expensive & most the aftermarket ones are cheap & will get moisture inside or they are as expensive as factory for good ones.

[OG68]

I ended up using a Sylvania product. Worked so well I did my Silverado and the daughters Camry too. Been almost a year now and all three remain very clear.

[unruhjonny]

if your lenses are cracked, then I'd suggest going to a wrecker (generall self serve have WAY better pricing) and buy a used set that are in better shape.

I used to use 3m rubbing compound - but what was left of my bottle dried out, so I am playing with different polishing compounds;
Generally anything advertised as being able to polish out clear coat scratches should work - as long as you are willing to put a little time into it.

I would go aftermarket (aka: cheap off shore) stuff as a last resort;
You should be able to buy good used OEM at about the same price as the cheap aftermarket stuff.

[tstroud]

All those headlight polishing kits are worthless. The polish only lasts a short time.
Sand the headlight with 400 grit to get all the yellow off. Then sand with 800 grit to smooth them out. Then spray them with duplicolor touch up clear coat.
After a couple months put your favorite wax on them and that will last for years.