Cure for Headlight Haze
 

It has been a LONG time since I've posted/visited. Life tends to get in the way from time to time.

ANYWAY, the headlights on the '97 were starting to haze/turn. My brother-in-law had me try a sanding technique he used on some of his old cars and it worked like a champ. Don't know if this has been mentioned before, so sorry in advance if this is a redundant post.

Basically I just wet sanded the crap out of them. It took about 45 minutes for each fixture. With a modicum of carefullness, I was able to do it without taking the headlamps off of the car.

Just get a bucket of soapy water, and 320, 400, 600, 1200, and 2500 sandpaper. Use them in this order. Make sure to keep the paper and headlights wet and rinse both about every 5 minutes. I spent the most time with the 320 (about 15 minutes/headlamp), about 10 minutes with the 400, and about 5 - 10 minutes with the remaining ones.

Also, please keep in mind that as you go through this process, they will seem to get worse before they get better. But once you get to the 1200 and 2500, it will all be worthwhile.

When all of that is finished, we used a plastic cleaner (I will get the name if there is interest), and a wax applicating sponge to clean of the residue.

They look practically brand new.

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

Looks like you spent some time on the lamps,
Can you post some pics? :)

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

Yeah I agree on the pics. Also could you post the cost of all the items needed? I got some sandpaper at autozone and it was pretty expensive for just 3 different types.

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

I'll try to get pics today or tomorrow (it's raining now). As far as cost, I was fortunate enough to freeload off of my bro-in-law, so I'm really not sure. I know that he couldn't get the auto parts store to break a pack for him either. Keep in mind, though, that the paper can be used over and over for different vehicles or re-applications in the future.

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

I go a few steps further with the same idea. At your local hobby lobby, in the model car section you can buy a polishing kit for around $15. This will contain sandpaper ranging from 2400 grit, to 12,000 grit, yes twelve thousand. Keep it wet, and clean, your lenses will look like jewelry.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Picture003.jpg

Yes it works on Legacies too,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Picture007.jpg

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

I've done this on alot of different cars, I usualy start with 600 then 800 then 1500. Finish with 2000 if I have it on hand before using plastic polish. Though honestly my SVX could use some time with more agressive paper if I want to get a couple of the nasty dings out.

If you are lazy or just needing "clean" instead of perfect, chrome polish will quickly take the worst off. A finish with plastic polish will take the last of the haze off. Mind this will leave all the scratches, pits, dents, etc that arrive from road debris over time, it just cleans the surface of the hazing/yellowing.

If anyone cares I think I still have the photos of before/after.

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

Clear coat them so they don't yellow a couple months down the road.

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

Hm, wonder who here has tried that? What clear coat did you use? I used some clear coat in a can on my center grille and I'm not too impressed. Suggestions?

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

I don't clearcoat mine. I use Future floor wax. I strip it with windex every time I wash my car, then reapply. To apply it, you put it on a rag, then just slather it on any old way. It will dry smooth as glass. Being acrylic, it will never react with the lens material.

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

Here's some pics after they are cleared.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...Headlight2.jpghttp://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...Headlight3.jpg
I sanded them down with 600-2500 wet sandpaper and used some clear I had left over from when I painted my car. I put 3 good wet coats on it and they look brand new for over a year now. I used a Urethane clear on them so i'd say any automotive urethane clear should work, not the autozone junk.

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

I remember reading a thread on a BMW site - some BMWs have similar issues, one of the guys suggested coating with a UV stabiliser clear coating (stops the dreaded UV from making the lights go back to the original non-see through opaque).

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

I'm thinking of applying the 3M clear bra over mine after they are polished. It is UV stable and if the surface of the lens is covered with it and isn't exposed the elements it shouldn't yellow. It will also give the lenses some protection against pitting.

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

The 3M, available at most parts stores?

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

At our SVX meet in 2005, Brett had some of this Micro-Mesh stuff:

https://micro-surface.com/index.php?...age=page&id=15

It's a lot better than sandpaper. Apparently the military use it for polishing the haze out of aircraft windows.

Re: Cure for Headlight Haze
 

Great info Phil :),
In reading after a search, the advantage over typical abrassives, no random deep scratches. I found a US [North Carolina] source, in kit form:

http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-b...adItem=MI01010

Another US source, New York City:
http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/abr...mesh.htm#chart