New Headlight Cleaning kit

gsodonis · #1 03-11-2007, 08:24 AM

I cleaned the yellow from my headlights using a new kit that I found at Advanced auto parts, with great results. The kit is made by Crystal View and cost $19.99. I had cleaned my headlights numerous times before using plastic polish, but the yellow always returned. I know that Seraph and others have posted instructions on how to do this using different grits of fine wet-sanding paper, but I bought the kit because it also came with everything you might need in one convenient package. You get 1000 grit sand paper, 2500 grit sandpaper, small foil packs of plastic polish, polish applicators, small foil packs of sealer, sealer applicators and a latex glove.

You can use the kit with the headlights still on the car, but I removed both headlights, both corner lamps and the center grill and polished them in the kitchen sink - the kit has sufficient supplies to polish all five parts.

Attached is a pic of kit and the before and after shots. I've also attache a PDF of the instruction sheet. Before, my headlights were the worst with medium yellowing, the center grill was a bit better with some fading and the corners were decently clear. Now all five parts look identical and brand new. I'd love to do Small car clear lenses some day, but for $20, this kit exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended.

gsodonis · #2 03-11-2007, 08:26 AM

Here are the pics - before and after. They may not look too bad in the before pics, but outdoors, they were pretty yellow and faded. They look brand new now.

Romantt8 · #3 03-11-2007, 09:25 AM

Wow, That looks great. I will need to try that stuff out.

ensteele · #4 03-11-2007, 12:30 PM

Let us know if they stay that way. Usually they turn yellow again, but hopefully they won't this time. Thanks.

gsodonis · #5 03-11-2007, 06:41 PM

I think the difference between this kit and the other methods posted before is the 'sealer' that comes with the kit. The kit does come with a warranty, but I'm not naive in thinking that I could ever collect if the yellow were to return. The sealer might simply be polyurethane (the kit says it cleans up with water).

If so, one can readily duplicate the kit with household items, assuming one has 1000 grit, 2500 grit sandpapers, plastic polish and polyurethane. I will let everyone know how the lenses age now that they're treated, but they do look crystal clear at the moment.

JaySVX · #6 03-13-2007, 07:35 AM

I had heard that Plastx Cleaner and polish will work quite well, in about 15 seconds from a deep yellow to a brilliant clear, and costs around 4.99$. I'm picking up some on the way home, i'll let you know of my results.

gsodonis · #7 12-21-2007, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensteele

Let us know if they stay that way. Usually they turn yellow again, but hopefully they won't this time. Thanks.

It's been 9 months and the headlights are still clear.

GreenMarine · #8 12-21-2007, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsodonis

It's been 9 months and the headlights are still clear.

Man, it has been that long huh!!... Mine are about 90% clear still... Probably because I've only washed the car once in the last 9 months... Drought and the fact that I struggle to find the time with my schedule

~ Chris

GreenMarine · #9 04-02-2007, 06:36 PM

I took some pictures just about 30 minutes ago of what I did today

... I'lll post them up so we can make believers of everyone... This product really REALLY WORKS!!!! My headlights, center fake lightbar and signal lights are in brand new condition... Best thing I have EVER bought from Wal*Mart

ensteele · #10 04-02-2007, 09:52 PM

I looked for your pictures, but couldn't find them.

GreenMarine · #11 04-03-2007, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensteele

I looked for your pictures, but couldn't find them.

Haven't posted them yet... My internet started being stupid again... It does that around 4pm till about midnight everyday for some stupid reason... Now thoug, at 2am it works totally fine... I'll load them onto my file server and then they will be ready for viewing

GreenMarine · #12 04-03-2007, 12:45 AM

alright... here are the pictures... They are hosted on my file server and I have to warn, they are rather big... Sorry, only after shots... I didn't have my camera till later on in the day AFTER I had cleaned the lights... But they were alittle yellow and clowdy...

http://mr-ral-175-155.dmisinetworks..../Car%20Photos/

Sorry for no preview of them

cozykat · #13 04-03-2007, 01:44 AM

Reading your post was like reading the email I sent yesterday to Ray (halistan) about this CV product.

I happened on it at walmart and I figured it couldn't hurt. I normally use BlueMagic Metal Chrome Polish and it does work nicely for a few months but I am hoping for something a little longer - so here's crossing my fingers.
It didn't take 5 minutes like the package said but then I sanded for quite awhile trying to remove not just yellowing but smoothing small chips.
Already the CV cleaner/sealer seems to be working better. It's withstood the rain and dirt storms.

Still clear and pretty. I'm happy and am contemplating buying 1 or two more kits.. just to have stored around for later.. I only applied the cleaning application to my headlights and grill, but put the sealant on the corners as well (they are newer and still white). An added benefit was that in putting the sealant on the grill, it made sense to put it on its black section as well which really made the black part look dark and sleek. That has really helped the lenses overall appearance! Waxing could never seem to provide me that.
This must be what it feels like to buy new headlights, only much cheaper!

Here are photos: Cleaned Headlights

Take care,
Marisa