Headlight hazing

Detaling and car washing techniques

Re: Headlight hazing

Postby wogboy_9000 » Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:23 am

Hi guys, first post.

It really depends how bad the hazing/oxidization is.

I've restored several sets of headlights in the past few years that have been badly oxidized (cloudy and yellow).

Generally what needs to be done, is the haze/oxidized plastic needs to be removed - cutting compound may work, but it really does depend on the severity.

I've previously started with 5-6 sheets of sandpaper ranging from 400-2000 grit.
Mask around (or remove) the lights and start wet sanding the lights with 400 until all yellow/haze has been removed. Note: they will probably look worse than before.

Then continue to sand up through the grades and you'll notice the light will slowly become more clear. Once you've hit 2000 grit, the light should look 'ok' and shortly after you should be able to hit it with cutting compound. Several attempts at this, then a cut and polish, finished with a wax and your headlights should look as new.
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Re: Headlight hazing

Postby hamish_023 » Mon Feb 06, 2012 2:22 pm

I would Highly recommend avoiding using anything above 2500/3000g otherwise say goodbye to the top UV protectant in the headlights and expect them go return to yellow very quickly. 400g is very very course especially on a soft plastic headlight.
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Re: Headlight hazing

Postby hamish_023 » Mon Feb 06, 2012 2:24 pm

FYI all of these were done with nothing more then 2500/3000g which was more then enough:

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Most of the time I don't even use wet&dry unless flaking/uneven surface and still only sand it flat/smooth not sand it right back
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Re: Headlight hazing

Postby wogboy_9000 » Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:12 pm

as I said, it depends on the level of oxidisation.

2500 grit won't do a lot on yellow headlights where you can scratch off layers of plastic - like chalk.
The UV protectant probably isn't something to worry about if the headlights have already been badly affected by the sun.
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Re: Headlight hazing

Postby bigBADbenny » Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:19 am

Sensational - just the info I was looking for... Thanks very much! :D
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Re: Headlight hazing

Postby wastegate » Sun May 19, 2013 10:32 am

Thanks for the info in this thread.

I just tried out the Rain-X headlight restorer.

I didn't use a machine, all hand done but seems to come out well.

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Before

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After
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Re: Headlight hazing

Postby ricco » Tue May 21, 2013 12:37 pm

wastegate wrote:Thanks for the info in this thread.

I just tried out the Rain-X headlight restorer.

I didn't use a machine, all hand done but seems to come out well.

Image
Before

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After

is it still like this tho?
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Re: Headlight hazing

Postby wastegate » Tue May 21, 2013 5:13 pm

ricco wrote:is it still like this tho?


Not sure what you mean? Only really just did it. I'd guess it will discolour again after a couple of years but it's not too much to redo.
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Re: Headlight hazing

Postby ricco » Tue May 21, 2013 5:47 pm

wastegate wrote:
ricco wrote:is it still like this tho?


Not sure what you mean? Only really just did it. I'd guess it will discolour again after a couple of years but it's not too much to redo.

ahh ok where did u buy the gear from? and how much?
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Re: Headlight hazing

Postby cooki_monsta » Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:44 am

ricco wrote:
wastegate wrote:
ricco wrote:is it still like this tho?


Not sure what you mean? Only really just did it. I'd guess it will discolour again after a couple of years but it's not too much to redo.

ahh ok where did u buy the gear from? and how much?


Supercheap, Repco and Autobarn should have this stuff for about $50.
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Re: Headlight hazing

Postby Manaz » Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:36 am

hamish_023 wrote:and then sealed it with zaino sealant..


And this is possibly the most important part of the process.

Sealing the surface protects it from further damage (including UV damage, which is a major reason why the lenses haze). If you polish them up nicely and don't seal them (and keep the sealant up to them), they'll just go the same way as before...
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