I've used the Wipe Away from Crawl Mart or the auto store with very good success!

Though it might have worked for you for the time being, using anything that dissolves the outer plastic of the headlight is a bad idea. These solutions usually leave the headlights somewhat sticky and/or soft, making them a magnet to virtually everything to stick to. It also generally provides a very short lived solution. The best solutions for addressing old badly discolored headlights, in order, are...

1) Replace the headlights with new units. Many aftermarket options are available, though the cost can be prohibitive in many instances.
2) Use one of the numerous headlight renewal kits that remove the clouding with sandpaper and polishing, and then coat the headlights in a UV protectant clearcoat. This is the option most people choose given the cost and results, however, it too is not a long term, permanent, solution. A good alternative to post corrective clear coat is to have the headlights wrapped with a good UV inhibiting film. Though a bit more expensive it protects the headlights from clouding over again, protects against nicks from road debris, and can be reapplied as needed.

Headlight renewal kits are also removing the outers layer of plastic, so I don't see how that is any better.

I used to use Bar Keepers Friend, which worked well, for a while anyway, like all of them, but it took some effort. Since I knew there was a can of Deep Woods Off sitting on the counter a few feet away, I walked outside and tried it (on a car with little to lose, but one I've "polished" several times) Just spraying it on made big difference. I probably could have left it at that, but wiping it with a rag made it better.

I then tried it on an '89 Ford, that's never had anything done to the lenses. It did little to nothing. So clearly where you're starting at matters.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
Headlight renewal kits are also removing the outers layer of plastic, so I don't see how that is any better.

Sometimes yes and sometimes no, but the important thing is that they're not chemically weakening the plastic by melting it with DEET (its base is two acids and a chlorinating agent).

Sometimes no - Most people don't realize it, but auto headlights have a clear coat on them so when you're using something like 2000 grit or 3000 grit wet sand paper you're only removing a small portion (i.e. the oxidized portion) of the clear coat. Same goes for compounds and polish.

Somtimes yes - If the clear coat is disbonding, then a 500 or 800 grit wet sand paper goes first to actually remove it then progressive wet sand paper grits (e.g. 1000, 2000, 3000) to make the lens clear and finally applying a new clear coat, ceramic coating, or a protective spray (in order by longevity). However, nothing is actually melting or chemically weakening the plastic.

The best hundred bucks (actually $107 after shipping and tax) I ever spent on my 2009 Toyota Corolla was a pair of all new TYC brand headlights from Rock Auto. They actually throw a better beam than the original and even came with bulbs. Not all cars will be that low.

Not all cars will be worth that much. lol

I tried the OFF on my 1995 Grand Marques with 190k on it and a bad head gasket. It gets me back and forth to work, which is about all I ask of it.

I used Mothers Mag cleaner with a buffer pad on my old F150 that lasted for about 6 months and was pretty easy to do.