My Headlight Restoration Results

[FastPlastic]

I used a power buffer and a $2 can of car polishing compound on my GF's car headlights. Cleared them up quick. No side affects so far, but they are slowly starting to come back.

[Tango Charlie]

As I was washing the car today, I noticed the headlight lenses are starting to get just a bit cloudy (automotive cataracts? ) I'd like to polish them up, but I'm wondering if there isn't something to apply to them after they are all polished up and clear, to keep them that way? Or do you just have to keep polishing them occasionally? I suppose it wouldn't be too bad, if you can keep up with it.

[99LeCouch]

Polishing occasionally. There's talk of clearcoating after polishing well, but I don't know how that works long-term.

[evolutionmovement]

I've used metal polish and plastic polish with a cloth to buff it and that worked excellent. Once they turn yellow, the UV protectant in the plastic is gone so they will turn yellow again rather quickly. I've heard the UV-block clear coat extends that time indefinitely it it's reapplied every 6 months or so. I tried it, but swapped out the headlights after only a few months (they still looked good, though), so I can't vouch for the effectiveness long term.

[theunchosen]

I would be hesitant to use whitening tooth paste.

Its actually got some nasty side effects if you aren't careful. For example if you leave the stuff on your skin for extended periods(not residue but if you rubbed it against your arm on accident in the bathroom) it will burn your skin.

The whitening compound specifically if you talk to your dentist or your dermatologist they will tell you not to leave it on your skin. I discovered this combating acne and then had to go to the doctor again to do something about the skin.

I would bet paste with "refreshing crystals" would be your best bet as that stuff feels like sandpaper if you rub it off.

[wwkayaker]

Have you tried putting RainX on the inside and outside of the lens cover? Not sure how well it works on plastic but it will help keep dirt from sticking to the rear window.

[RandomFact314]

I did my girl friends head lights and they cam out pretty awesome (the one on right I forgot to take a picture before putting toothpaste on, so I took the pic with the toothpaste)

[UfoTofU]

That looks great

[mhmitszach]

Originally Posted by HypermilingNoob

I did my girl friends head lights and they cam out pretty awesome (the one on right I forgot to take a picture before putting toothpaste on, so I took the pic with the toothpaste)

Wow. Mine didn't even half way clean that well. Actually, I'd hardly say it did anything.

What are you rubbing it with?

[RandomFact314]

Originally Posted by mhmitszach

Wow. Mine didn't even half way clean that well. Actually, I'd hardly say it did anything.

What are you rubbing it with?

My hand and wiping it off with a rag