Any of you guys had this happen to you? I thought I might ask because I know just about everyone has had or has something similar to these lights. What’s the best way to get these scratches removed? It’s like someone has ruffed them up with a sander. I don’t know whets causing it; I tried using mothers back to black hoping it would work but did nothing but flake more. Someone said something about sanding it with a fine disk, but idk sounds risky. Suggestions anyone?

-Rafiel

Hey, you should read through the wiki on main page. There is some good information on our cars. One of them happens to be a link on this subject.

http://talontimes.blogspot.com/2006/11/headlights.html

http://forums.2gnt.com/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=7&topic_id=92541&mesg_id=92541&listing_type=search

2gnt: '99 RS-T, killed by a toyota, pending rebuild...
Daily: Volt
Daily #2: '99 EVG ebike- STOLEN by PEDRO

The only problem that I have had with sanding them down is finding something to seal the plastic. I'm thinking Testor's clear coat to keep my lights from fogging up again.

My Blog

I follow freelancefools write up in the wiki, although I used several more grits of sandpaper.

Then buffed the hell out of them with Mequiars PlastX.

Everytime I wash the car I throw a coat of PlastX on, so far no issues.

I am well aware of the wiki, its not like ive been using it for the past 2 years or anything. Reason for this post is because I no nothing about detailing a car. its not like the film that u can just rub mothers on to get rid of; been there done that on the old headlights. The scratches are deeper than the film that builds up on your stock headlight. I took some 1500 grit sand paper and scrubbed it good and applied the 3m rubbing compound along with mothers and I ran into the same problem that freelancefool mentioned. I didn’t get plastic X because autozoo said they didn’t have any in stock. So I went along with 3m; its good stuff. I thought about the buffer option, but I’m bout to order the MSNS from Paul here in the next couple days. The lights are a little cloudy to see out of now. Been through so many damn articles but don’t feel like wasting money. So my question to you guys with plastic lights is how did yall mention to get them clear, am I missing a step?

-Rafiel

Here, let me like you the wiki article:

http://www.2gnt.com/index.php?d=Fixing%20a%20Hazy%20headlight

Follow that exactly.

I however went 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, then 2000 grit sandpaper.

Then buff the hell out of them.

Mine were a night and day difference.

I will give it a try. Looks promising. I misread the post. Thanks for the input guyz.

-Rafiel

Great stuff, $15 a bottle though. As you can gather I've been using it for some time, since before I finished my cars exterior.

Since the hardcoat on the lenses is now gone the shiny surface will not last too long until it needs another polish.

If you want that look to last (and have protection from road debris chips) go get some 6-mil Ventureshield paint protection film and cover them. You can usually find it on ebay by the foot. (I've never seen it in pre-cut patterns like most vehicles). The turn signal bump is a little tricky but after doing a few I got better at it.

Your local tint shop can also help you here if you don't want to mess with the install. I am a big fan of the Ventureshield and don't care so much for the 3M version or the LaminX products but there are other choices.

http://www.venturetape.com/product.php?productid=1274&cat=12&page=1

Ventureshield has a lifetime warranty when installed by a dealer according to the website. I expect to get 5-6 years at least in the AZ sun. It is a non-yellowing urethane film. If it ages I'll peal it off and put on an new layer but it shows no signs of needing that yet.

Check youtube for many installation vids.





[URL="

Excellent information as always, Dave. Thank you.

I contributed to the Wiki.

-Rafiel

I wonder if someone painted them before you bought them? Maybe a clearcoat coming off?

One of mine did the same thing. I had a guy at my old work (Nissan) that did the headlight resurfacing to them, worked like a charm. I didn't have time to take them off and sand them like that and he did them cheap for me. Worked great, it just took a little while on that one headlight because he had to sand it down a good bit to get that "peeling" off of it.

The coating is a required treatment on all plastic headlight lenses. It is used to make the relatively soft plastic underneath withstand years of road use. The coating is usually sprayed on and cured by IR and/or UV lamps. The coating imparts UV protection as well as minor abrasion and pebble impact.

Once the coating is gone you will begin to see the yellow tint form on the plastic since the UV protection is gone. Some lenses (Neons, 3G Eclipses) use a low quality platic underneath and when the hardcoat is gone they yellow severely within a few months.

Once the hardcoat layer begins to delaminate it progresses across the lens just like peeling paint in various patterns. The hard coat peels faster when going through wet and dry periods so if your car is not garaged it happens even faster.

If you have ever sanded out a set of lenses with some of this hardcoat remaining you will have noticed it really eats up the sandpaper until you get completely through that layer.

The cheap ebay projector lights have this same hardcoat on them but in a much thinner layer. It usually degrades badly after the first year or two. I use the Ventureshield film on these light before they ever see the road to prevent early failures.

You can spray on a clearcoat but you will not find anything nearly as hard as the OEM type coatings. The rock protection films are unique in that they are not affected by minor abrasion or pebbles even though they are a soft film. They are able to stay soft and clear due to the urethane constuction having excellent outdoor durability.

I dont believed in ebay, never will for cheap/used things. I bought my lights off some site. I might go on ebay to buy silicone couplers for my ic piping(from a company) but that's about it. This Ventureshield stuff sounds sweet and i will order some to save my other light, since its in perfect condition.

Thanks...

-Rafiel

---

2012 2500HD LML

Awesome,

I did nearly the same thing, only buffed out with PlastX.

I took them off the car as well

Dave always manages to astound me when he posts something. I didn't even think to use the RockShield stuff. Everyone around here always talk about using it on hoods and bumpers around this time of the year when we get love bugs real bad too.

Thanks for the input Dave, I will probably pull my headlights off again this weekend if I can get some of that wrap in town.

My Blog