Plastic headlight cleaning

Scott DeBrun

Scott DeBrun

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There's a guy I work with who has a 2004 Crossfire with dull headlight covers. They are the factory unit and Chrysler told him it would cost $500+ per light assembly to replace. Is there a good product he could use to clear them up. He tried some Turtle Wax liquid clay and it didn't help. I cleaned his car about two months ago using Klasse AIO,PB EX-P and 2 coats of RT66 Hot Rod Wet Wax. Now he's got the detailing bug and would really like to clean up his headlight covers without breaking the bank. Any suggestions I can pass along? Feed back please
 
if they're not too bad and he doesn't mind monthly upkeep, try some Plastix. If that doesn't help, try some SSR3 and if still no good, wetsand.
 
g35_coupe said:
if they're not too bad and he doesn't mind monthly upkeep, try some Plastix. If that doesn't help, try some SSR3 and if still no good, wetsand.
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I use One Grand Plastic Polish to clear my headlights and rear lights. Works similarly to Plastix. I typically will clean them up every couple of weeks and takes only a few minutes with a MF applicator and MF towel. A good coat of car wax can help protect them a little longer. I recently found that Fuzion turned my headlights yellow within a week or so, so some car waxes may not be compatable with my particular plastic polish choice.

G35,
I would love to find a good plastic sealant to keep my headlights clear for months after I finally get around to sanding them down. What are you using?
 
His headlight lenses are pretty bad I think he's going to order the 3M kit from AG and give it a try. Thanks for the link Cinci.
 
Kurt_s said:
I use One Grand Plastic Polish to clear my headlights and rear lights. Works similarly to Plastix. I typically will clean them up every couple of weeks and takes only a few minutes with a MF applicator and MF towel. A good coat of car wax can help protect them a little longer. I recently found that Fuzion turned my headlights yellow within a week or so, so some car waxes may not be compatable with my particular plastic polish choice.

G35,
I would love to find a good plastic sealant to keep my headlights clear for months after I finally get around to sanding them down. What are you using?
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I've been using the Spar/Urethane mix and it's kept them looking pristine.
 
I used the Meg's Headlight Restoration Kit and then protect them with Optimum Poli-Seal.
 
g35_coupe said:
I've been using the Spar/Urethane mix and it's kept them looking pristine.
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I live in California. Land of water-based paints and varnishes. I'm not sure if I can get the real Spar Urethane to make the cocktail.

It would be nice to get a couple of years out of a treatment, but I may have to settle for a spray sealant. I'm hoping that I could find something that lasts 6+ months so that I retreat 1x per quarter to keep them pristine.

Your bottle of sealant concept for each headlight treatment would be a nice dividend for customers. I can always find my carpet cleaner because I have his bottle of spot treatment in the laundry room.
 
aznwhip said:
Diamondite 3 step process worked great for me.

Diamondite® Clear Plastic System Kit cleans, polishes, restores headlight lenses. Diamondite plastic polish scratch remover for headlights.
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I haven't tried the Diamondite kit. I tried the Megs headlight cleaner system which didn't cut the heavy stuff. Megs 105 with an orange pad didn't cut it either. I need to buy some wet/dry sandpaper or a kit.

Hopefully, I can find a nice sealant that will last 6-12 months. So far, the Spar Urethane cocktail seems to be the best option if I can buy the Urethane in SoCal.
 
I have used the diamondite kit on several severely oxidized headlights..and have not been disapointed. I bought the professional kit in order to do more cars..but they (Autogeek) sell a smaller kit. Each set of headlights did not take much time/effort or product. I can say that the lights come out like new. You will "see" small pits after you clean them..but that is where rocks have come up from the road and hit them. You will be impressed with the Diamondite kit.
 
I tired Meq headlamps cleaning kit G1900K on a severely oxidized Acura TL headlights and i was impressed with the results, however kit doesn't include protection.
 
Kurt_s said:
I haven't tried the Diamondite kit. I tried the Megs headlight cleaner system which didn't cut the heavy stuff. Megs 105 with an orange pad didn't cut it either. I need to buy some wet/dry sandpaper or a kit.

Hopefully, I can find a nice sealant that will last 6-12 months. So far, the Spar Urethane cocktail seems to be the best option if I can buy the Urethane in SoCal.
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Try the diamondite kit, but use a drill to get more spin/speed.
 
The unfortunate thing about clearing up headlight lenses is the fact that once they've been reconditioned they are more likely to become "fogged" in a shorter amount of time. The vehicles manufactured during the mid 90's to early 2K seem to be the most susceptible.
 
I like to try the diamondite kit as well.. My daily car has cloudy headlights.
 
Kurt_s said:
How does their protectant hold up?
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I know a couple people that like it. I personally have not tried it. I have tried the abrasive polish from diamondite and wolfgang. Both work great. For my 2 cars, I use DP plex-all a couple times a month. None of my cars has any problem with the headlights.
 
If anyone is interested in trying out the Diamondite cleaning system, I'm willing to trade my Clear Plastic Restorer and Enhancer. Only used once. Figure I won't be needing it for a while as the car that had fogging is now clear and will probably be swapping for a new car soon anyways so it's just gonna sit on the shelf.

Diamondite® Clear Plastic Restorer polishes and restores plastic polycarbonate headlight lenses. Polish headlights clear with Diamondite plastic
Diamondite® Clear Plastic Enhancer polishes and corrects plastic headlight lens covers. Polish out scratches in polycarbonate with Diamondite
 
i just wet sand, and polish. ive had great results with 105,SSR2.5, and then Klasse AOI. ive put 4800 miles on my car since i did my head lights and they look as good as they did when i finished them.
 
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