SIGforum
How Do I Keep My Headlight Covers From Getting Hazy??
April 04, 2018, 09:04 PM
PASigHow Do I Keep My Headlight Covers From Getting Hazy??
I’ve got an 07 Civic sedan as my daily driver and the headlight covers have gotten really bad over the past couple years with going hazy and cutting light output way way down.
I bought a kit a couple years ago with a polishing cream and buffer drill attachment that seemed to work for a couple months, then they’d get hazy again. I read that the trick is to clear coat the lenses after polishing, so I did a good polish job and got them nice and clear then taped off and put on 3 good coats of clear coat from a rattle can.
That was maybe 15 months ago but I realized my lenses are getting very hazy again! What the hell is going on? How do I make this permanent?
No, replacing the headlight assemblies at $250 each is not an option.
Help!
April 04, 2018, 09:25 PM
a1abdjI had clear protective film installed on our new work truck. They told us that the film would also protect headlight lenses from chips and hazing.
1 year in, 35,000 miles, and they still look like new. Probably a bit too soon to know how well it really works.
April 04, 2018, 09:28 PM
konata88I use Flitz, terry towel and 5 minutes per light. It’s good for at least a couple of years. I’m good with that. YMMV.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy
"A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book April 04, 2018, 09:43 PM
preten2bHowdy neighbor! If the yellowing is not caused by moisture condensing on the inside over the years...
You can get the infomercial restore products.
You can try the toothpaste hack.
Bar Keepers polish will be similar. See youTube
You may wish to prolong the effects by applying wax after the last 2.
Methinks that these are temporary fix for the abrasions caused by 10s of thousands of miles.
------------------
The plural of anecdote is not data. -Frank Kotsonis
April 04, 2018, 09:49 PM
DoctorSoloTry clear vinyl.
Another option is PIAA bulbs to compensate for the poor light transmission.
Both for the win.
April 04, 2018, 10:06 PM
ARmanUse UV blocking clear coat, and then use UV blocking paste wax a couple times a year. It's the UV light rays that is causing the headlights to get hazy.
ARman
April 04, 2018, 10:21 PM
darthfusterI use toothpaste and a microfiber cloth on a hook and loop D/A sander. Spritz some water on the lens and cloth, apply a little minty fresh toothpaste and rock/roll. Cheap and easy. Stays clear for 6-8 months before I see a hint of haze starting again.
You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier April 04, 2018, 10:29 PM
Scoutmasterquote:
Originally posted by darthfuster:
I use toothpaste and a microfiber cloth on a hook and loop D/A sander. Spritz some water on the lens and cloth, apply a little minty fresh toothpaste and rock/roll. Cheap and easy. Stays clear for 6-8 months before I see a hint of haze starting again.
I have the hook and loop sander (and toothpaste), do you have a spec on themicrofiber cloth?
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women. When it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it....While it lies there, it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it"
- Judge Learned Hand, May 1944 April 04, 2018, 10:32 PM
AeteoclesI just hit the lenses with a cleaner wax (polish and wax in one) at every wash.
April 04, 2018, 10:41 PM
darthfusterquote:
Originally posted by Scoutmaster:
quote:
Originally posted by darthfuster:
I use toothpaste and a microfiber cloth on a hook and loop D/A sander. Spritz some water on the lens and cloth, apply a little minty fresh toothpaste and rock/roll. Cheap and easy. Stays clear for 6-8 months before I see a hint of haze starting again.
I have the hook and loop sander (and toothpaste), do you have a spec on themicrofiber cloth?
Ask and ye shall receive...
You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier April 04, 2018, 11:33 PM
Scoutmasterquote:
Originally posted by darthfuster:....
Ask and ye shall receive...
Much thanks, I won't receive until tomorrow morning, there's an O"Reilly about a mile away.
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women. When it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it....While it lies there, it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it"
- Judge Learned Hand, May 1944 April 05, 2018, 12:30 AM
hunter62Originally I had bought some random kit from AutoZone that had a buffer tool you attach to a drill. It looked awesome when I was done, but a couple months later it started coming back. The next kit I bought was RainX brand and had a couple kinds of sand paper along with a clear coat that you add after it is cleaned up. That was 2 years ago and still looks like new. I really think it was that finishing bottle of sealant that is keeping it nice.
April 05, 2018, 05:19 AM
WoodmanI'd bet the age of the lenses has something to do with it. Plastics break down. That said, my 5 year old 70k truck headlamp lenses still look new.
I rarely wash them. Never a "car wash" Only washed with plenty of soap and water.
At an oil change, the kid checked off on his "inspection"

hazy headlamp lenses, recommend polishing". When in fact they were covered with 2400 miles of road grime. GLAD the kid didn't do me any favors and wipe them off with a soft towel.
My ex-'s '08 Subaru has headlamps which are unrecoverable. The discoloration is in the plastic.
April 05, 2018, 05:28 AM
arfmelI think I've read it's the UV in sunlight that causes them to deteriorate. That my be true. We have a couple of older vehicles that stay garaged when not in use and their headlight covers look almost new.
April 05, 2018, 07:57 AM
Black92LXPlenty of headlight sets on EBay for under $100. Add a bead of silicone at the seam and cover with a clear film on the front and you’ll be good.
Once they start to haze it is more of a fight to keep them from hazing I have found.
————————————————
The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad.
If we got each other, and that's all we have.
I will be your brother, and I'll hold your hand.
You should know I'll be there for you!
April 05, 2018, 07:59 AM
SIG4EVAThe best way is to clean them thoroughly. You can use a store bought kit, compound, toothpaste, etc. Wash them with dish soap and then spray them with a UV rated clear coat for a more permanent solution. If you keep them waxed regularly, that should do the same but requires upkeep.
SIG556 Classic
P220 Carry SAS Gen 2 SAO
SP2022 9mm German Triple Serial
P938 SAS
P365 FDE
P322 FDE
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it"
April 05, 2018, 09:55 AM
JohnCourageMy wife has a 2004 4Runner and it has huge front lenses. Every 6 months I polish with Klasse or really any mildly aggressive polish to clear them up. Then I apply a polymer sealant. I use Optimum Opti-Seal the same thing I use to seal the paint. Works great for 4-6 months then I repeat.
JC
April 05, 2018, 10:07 AM
Doc H.Polish with any of the above, then regular application of Plexus....
Plexus
"And gentlemen in England now abed, shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's Day" April 05, 2018, 10:24 AM
P250UA5My dad did one of the headlight restore kits on his headlights & taillights on his ~02-04 Silverado.
Followed it up with a coat (maybe multiple coats, I don't recall) of clear coat, once the lenses were cleaned up to his satisfaction.
A couple years later & they're still looking great.
The Enemy's gate is down.