Headlight Cloudiness

[joshie999]

Hi, how do I get rid of the cloudiness of my headlights? basically want to make them look really shiny and new again? It makes the car look so bad!

First Post

 

[guysy]

Welcome.

Search Headlight correction.

It involves sanding the plastic lightly and polishing it back up.

 

[joshie999]

Ok Thanks :approve:

 

[lordbmz]

I had the same problem but didn't use the sand paper method. I went to halfords and the guy recommended Rubbing Compound (it's like T-Cut but stronger). It takes some elbow grease and a couple of attempts but it works.

 

[andrewrobert87]

Gonna have a go at this on the weekend! even after a good wash and wax for the car, the headlights let it down when they look like that lol

 

[Vicky.]

I couldn't be arsed and bought new ones from Euro Car Parts (luckily mine are non-sport so could get some cheap).

The guides work really well though as a mate did his and they came up lovely.

 

[Dan519]

Did mine last week with G3 and a rotary polisher. 15 minutes work and they're 95% like new

 

[fletch8]

dont they return cloudy quite quickly though once sanded/polished?

 

[Trophy144]

did mine a year ago and there still ok, just keep them protected with a decent wax/sealent

 

[Westie76]

I did the headlights on my 172 yesterday as they were shocking. I bought a headlight restoration kit from elite car care (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/3m-headlight-lens-restoration-system.php) and it works a treat (the only issue was my battery running flat on my cordless drill!).

 

[AJ 182]

My mate who does body work just did mine for me, if ya want I can ask him what grit sand paper etc he used and let ya know?

 

[Skeeter]

dont they return cloudy quite quickly though once sanded/polished?

If you don't look after them, yes. I did mine about 18 months ago and they are back to being just as bad now.

Its a lot of work if you don't have a rotary polisher or something.

 

[joshie999]

Did them Friday, they turned out pretty good, not the best but soo much better than they were before

 

[andypritch90]

I used the green side to a ordinary dish washing spunj, then sprayed over the headlights with bumper/trim polish. Saved me £20 on a restoration kit and my lights are nice and shiny

 

[McGherkin]

I worried that I was going to cloud them up when I was sanding them and then not be able to polish them back to a usable level - I needn't have worried.

If you have cloudy headlights, DO IT.

 

[JD]

I used the green side to a ordinary dish washing spunj, then sprayed over the headlights with bumper/trim polish. Saved me £20 on a restoration kit and my lights are nice and shiny

And marred to hell I'll bet!

 

[James28]

Did a mates CTR and my brothers Clio yesterday with my machine polisher and wet sanding. Came out pretty well for my first time using it
They now have a better reflection than the rest of the car

 

[joshie999]

I worried that I was going to cloud them up when I was sanding them and then not be able to polish them back to a usable level - I needn't have worried.

If you have cloudy headlights, DO IT.

I thought exactly the same, after sanding them i was oh no i think I've just made them even worse but put some polish on them used the rotary polishing sponge and they looked good

 

[andypritch90]

And marred to hell I'll bet!

No. Used hot soapy water first, they acutally look a 100 times better than before so cant complain

 

[lsdzig]

I hate how cloudy mine are! James they've come up a treat.... Mind if I pop down for a polish? lol

 

[AUTOCRASH]

polishing is a great way of doing it but you remove the uv potection from the headlamp that way so they will yellow up in time!
yes some polish and wax will protect it abit!

 

[James28]

I hate how cloudy mine are! James they've come up a treat.... Mind if I pop down for a polish? lol

Mate feel free! Be happy to.

 

[lsdzig]

Gona attemp it tonight with a rotary polisher, if I fail then I might just have too (looking at how well you've done the others) Any tips when I attempt it?

 

[Renault Wolverhampton]

i just did mine upto sanding now its raining!!!!!!!
ffs polishing will have to wait

 

[lsdzig]

Haha! Mate I just did mine with the polisher but it was raining, I got drenched! Gona carry on tomorrow, but get some better stuff than t cut I think.

 

[James28]

I wetsanded first. But if you've got a harsh enough cutting pad/polish you could skip out wetsanding.
I just wetsanded with 800 > 1500 then used light polish and light polish pad, exactly the same as you would on paint.

 

[Dunx90]

I did the headlights on my 172 yesterday as they were shocking. I bought a headlight restoration kit from elite car care (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/3m-headlight-lens-restoration-system.php) and it works a treat (the only issue was my battery running flat on my cordless drill!).

This kit give you enough sandpaper ect for both the headlights?

 

[Ben]

£27.99 for that kit? I just ordered the sandpaper from eBay for about £3 plus some elbow grease, done.

 

[Renault Wolverhampton]

I think I've ruined my lamps LOL they won't polish!!!!

 

[James28]

You can get the sandpaper from Halfords too. They now do 1500,2000,2500 Grit.

What grade sandpaper you use?
What are you using to polish?

 

[Renault Wolverhampton]

used 1000 then 1500 followed by g3 g6 then g10 farecla stuff we had here but the headlight now looks as if ive used 80g on them

 

[barnesautos]

I got this from Halfrauds any good ?