Removing Headlight Oxidation

[KSBuried]

My headlights have this crap that has collected on it. A lot of people refer to it as oxidation and I've seen the kits and whatnot, DIY remedies. But, I don't know anyone who's had personal experience fixing it. My lights are dim as hell, and it causes a problem. I've heard acetone works but removes paint if you're not careful with it. Any suggestions?

[krazieboy]

I have heard of ppl wetsanding their lights. if this is actually a good option or not, i'm not too sure. I have a slight amount of oxidation on mines too. would also like to know the best way.

[trdmsprts27]

I resurfaced mine a few weeks ago. Go to walmart get the headlight restoration kit
($20.00) follow the instructions and they will look like new. comes with 2 sanding grits, polishing compound and clear coating liquid.

[v3bahumut]

Plast-x and a powerball work short term, have to re-do it every few months.

Wet sand stepping up to 2000 grit then buff and clear coat will work much better and last longer.

[reddragon]

Plast-x and a powerball work short term, have to re-do it every few months.

Wet sand stepping up to 2000 grit then buff and clear coat will work much better and last longer.

x2

[x01GTSx]

just some metal polish (non liquid) and some elbo grease and it starts looking like new and lasts for 2-3 monts before it starts looking like it need a nother polish.
O and without needing to sand.

[hyperboost01]

Yep, best way is to wet sand and use polishing compund (usually called a type of glaze) .. found at napa, or any other auto paint supply store. They can recommend what amount of abrasive to use to have a crystal clear like new look... lasts pretty long..

[lpphreakx06]

Random orbiter+wool pad+aggressive compound is all you need. I dont recommend wetsanding if it is your first time, and especially on headlights.

[pinoyracer]

cleaner wax and buff it out, usually 3 coats of cleaner wax should work.

[hombredelassrta]

my sisters 02 mustang headlights were shot to hell. completely yellow and seemingly spider cracked. I did some serious wetsading to get it looking reasonable

[lamboceliGTS]

I had mine wet sanded and they look brand new.

[eccentricGTSdvr]

please try this at your own risk.......
it may take your a few coats to do it but it works..


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61MNKSP6ZPL._SL500_AA280_.gif

[trdmsprts27]

you can also use any type of scratch remover compund and go to town buffing it out till it looks how you want lol.

[cautionchild89]

i wet sanded and used plast-x after. makes them look really nice

[bman365]

I saw a thing at walmart that's in a kit. I believe it has some kind of compound and thing you connect to a drill so it buffs the light I'm guessing.

[ibanezgfx]

plastic-x looks really nice for about a week. then mine fog again.
i need to wet sand or get a kit. my car looks great, aside from my stupid stock wheels and ugly foggy headlights.

[hombredelassrta]

yea i have a few areas along the edges that require every few weeks buffing with plastic x

[Jintei]

powerful buffer and gentle abrasive compound is the key.

[Exotic II]

Another fourm I am a member of has a DYI section. Here is a useful link.

http://www.importsnc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41173

[h8eternal]

my sisters 02 mustang headlights were shot to hell. completely yellow and seemingly spider cracked. I did some serious wetsading to get it looking reasonable

did you manage to remove any of the spider cracking
i have a spare set of headlights whiceh im painting the inserts for but the lenses seem to have alot of cracking in them

[lpphreakx06]

Cracking means its in the plastic, it'd be extemely hard to sand that out. YOu'd probably have to fill it with special resin then sand.

[h8eternal]

Cracking means its in the plastic, it'd be extemely hard to sand that out. YOu'd probably have to fill it with special resin then sand.

ive been sanding a bit tonight but still have no luck lol
what kind of resin would i use for that?
im gonna try my best since i rather not get another headlight at this moment

[trdmsprts27]

Cracks are on the inside of the clear housing. So unless your willing to try and duplicate the process of it stretching so it crasks just so you can fill and sand again by all means go for it and do a write up on it. Otherwise your wasting your time on fixing the stress cracks. When you wetsand and polish and reclear coat the outside of the headlight the cracks are not that bad. I resurfaced mine not to long ago and the cracks dont shine as well in the sunlight as they did before i resurfaced them.

[bman365]

I put vinyl overlays on my ebay headlights almost right when I got them. They looked perfect before..and now I can see cracks all through the thing. The smoked vinyl hides most of it..so if all else fails..cover it up!