Just because something is legal to do doesn't mean it is the smart thing to do.
posted
Anybody have experience with the products to to restore plastic light lenses? Just wonder how well they work. I have some solar powered lights that the solar panel is in poor shape and thought about trying to clean them up. Maybe git another year or two use out of them.
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Posts: 4290 | Location: Metamora MI | Registered: October 31, 2003
Too much work unless these are some seriously high end fixtures.
If you wet them do they appear clear again? If so you might try masking them around the solar panel and spray a clear polyurethane over the oxidized lense. Might buy you a few more years with minimal effort.
Posts: 1581 | Location: Near Austin, TX | Registered: December 12, 2008
I also have used the Cerakote kit with great results. It was easy.
Back in the day I also used tooth paste on my motorcycle speedo and tack lenses but the Cerakote kit clears the lense but it also comes with a UV protectant that stops the clouding process.
Posts: 18216 | Location: South West of Fort Worth, Tx. | Registered: December 26, 2008
Originally posted by Mustang-PaPa: I also have used the Cerakote kit with great results. It was easy.
Back in the day I also used tooth paste on my motorcycle speedo and tack lenses but the Cerakote kit clears the lense but it also comes with a UV protectant that stops the clouding process.
Yep. There is actually a layer of clear coat over the plastic lenses and the clouding process is the visual indicator that the clear coat is failing. You have to both get the failed clear coat off and then apply a ceramic or spray on coating.
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Posts: 23941 | Location: Northern Suburbs of Houston | Registered: November 14, 2005
Once you do them, you'll have to do them often. But it's better than not seeing.
I always used "Barkeeper Friend" (liquid). It takes some doing.
Also read on the net years ago about OFF bug spray. People say it's a bad idea because you're basically melting away the lens. '97 Mercury, with one wheel in the junkyard, so I really didn't care. I tried it and it worked pretty well. MILES easier than polishing them.
Originally posted by cas: Once you do them, you'll have to do them often. But it's better than not seeing.
I always used "Barkeeper Friend" (liquid). It takes some doing.
Also read on the net years ago about OFF bug spray. People say it's a bad idea because you're basically melting away the lens. '97 Mercury, with one wheel in the junkyard, so I really didn't care. I tried it and it worked pretty well. MILES easier than polishing them.
Once I was using lots of strong deet in a mosquito drenched swamp, and the deet that dripped off my arms and wrists onto the factory clearcoat of my Remy shotty began eating away. I had heard about that before with deet, and after seeing it with my own eyes, well seeing is believing.
Lover of the US Constitution Wile E. Coyote School of DIY Disaster
Posts: 9087 | Location: Nowhere the constitution is not honored | Registered: February 01, 2008
If you want to keep messing with the lights, by all means give the headlight snake oils a try. Otherwise just replace the lights. I know it sucks, but I’ve tried various crap on two vehicles and the longest one worked for maybe 3 months.
---------- “Nobody can ever take your integrity away from you. Only you can give up your integrity.” H. Norman Schwarzkopf
Another vote for the Ceracote Ceramic kit. Easy. The cleaner works great and the sealant is super easy and effective. I used another polish instead, Novus (2) fine scratch remover Which I have had around for at least 10 years. I already had many microfiber towels. Did it all by hand in a little over an hour for both headlights on an '09 Jetta. It worked great.
Posts: 7483 | Location: Dallas | Registered: August 04, 2011
I use flitz and a terry towel. Repeat every 2-3 years. Takes 30 minutes.
"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
Posts: 13215 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
Originally posted by Krazeehorse: Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish. That will remove the haze. It may take several applications. Wax it when you’re done to prolong the results.
Yep, exactly what I do...cheap and it works really well. Reapply as often as you want or is needed, doesn't take very long to do.
Posts: 1804 | Location: WA | Registered: January 07, 2009
I did Mrs. mikes Nissan Altima once with wet/dry paper, then buffed it with flitz. Then I used clear with UF protection. We gave the car to the biggest one a year later and I had to re-do it. He sold it after a year or tow.
With that experience, I’d recommend just replacing the plastic cover. It was a PITA. And it needed to be redone several times, even with UF protection.
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My wife bought some packet of wipes at a flea market years ago and I told her don't bother as it was probably snake oil. Turned out I was wrong. You just wiped the plastic with the wipe and it remained clear for over a few months rain or shine. I wish we could remember the name of it as it was amazing.
Go to the hardware store and get 1000 grit sandpaper and clear coat spray paint. Wet sand the plastic until its clear then clear coat it. Total price less than $10.
