Hazy headlights? This seems to help.

[AndyM1978]

My Camry had one of the worst cases of hazey, UV damaged headlights you could get. I had to buy Xenon light bulbs to get enough light to come out. One day, I was waxing my car but accidentaly used "TurtleWax" buffing/polishing compound instead. I spilled some on one of my headlights, buffed it off expecting the worst, and was shocked to find that the headlight looked to be in much better condition. Of course, my eyes could be playing tricks on me.

To make a long story short, I've found that buffing your headlights (and taillights) with a polishing compound seems to make a noticable difference. Of course, it won't repair internal UV damage deep inside of the acrylic, but I would assume that most of the damage would be on the surface anyways. It sounds weird, so if anyone else wants to try this to hopefully confirm my story, please do. Keep in mind that I have a 92 Camry, so if your headlights are the clear type, are in excellent condition, or are very different from mine, I wouldn't recommend this. Also, make sure you use the BUFFING or POLISHING type of chemical, NOT waxing. The buffing/polishing chemicals contain a very mild abrasive that will remove oxidation and microscopic pits, which is why I think it helps the lights.

As a side note, buffing compound does wonders to oxidized or stained paint. My Camry looke dawful for a while... No gloss at all, stains streaking down the sides that would not come off with soap. If you've got crummy paint, try this stuff. My car almost looks like new now. Make sure you put on a few coats of wax after using this stuff. It's very important for preventing furthur staining and damage.

[Vroom2]

I recently learned that just about any chrome or metal polish works wonders on plastic headlight and tail light lenses. Depending on the extent of damage, you most likely won't need a buffer.


Take care,
Jerry

[yotatechie04]

Yep, I agree...I discovered this not too long ago myself as well...been using chrome wadding polish for mine...works like a charm.

[Nathan4286]

Is it worth doing? I'll have to try it.. plus my silverstar's just blew so i have to buy some more of those

[yotatechie04]

One of my Silverstars went out last night...the driver's side one...and only on low beam too...it pisses me off soo much...so now I have one Silverstar, and one nasty yellow looking stocker bulb...I feel so worthless...

[Mike Gerber]

I use Mequiar's #17 Plastic Cleaner and then their #10 Plastic Polish with a soft towel. It works like magic. I have been using it for years on the clear plastic convertible back window on my 90 Mazda Miata and it still looks like new and the car is approaching 15 years old. YMMV.

Mike

[Nathan4286]

well i just put my orginal head lights back in... i dont like the camry riding around with different headlights...Where do you get Mequiar's from?

[Mike Gerber]

It's been a few years since I bought my Meguiar's but I think you can get them at Pep Boys. I have also seen Meguiar's products at Murray's Discount Auto. I'm not sure if Auto Zone carries them but they may.

Mike

[Nathan4286]

I'll have to stop by Auto Zone and see, thanks mike

[chester9ll]

nail polish remover w/alcohol does the trick pretty easy with a cotton ball just dont rub real hard it only takes a little bit.

[riverat440]

Red rubbing compound works well also without the buffer but it only lasts 6 mos. or so

[yotatechie04]

Plastic polish works well.

[Bossman]

I also used cleaner polish on my headlight lense covers on my 92 Camry and it did the job just fine. Also, if you're a car wash man instead of a DIY'er, then just ask the detail guy at the car wash to do it for you and give him a buck or two. Done.

I also have Silverstars in my other non-Toyota vehicle and I like them a lot. Be advised, they come with a warranty so you want to check that before you go out and just buy new ones.

[trogdor71]

I love the useful 4.5 year old threads. Well, I had the hazy headlight problem on my 98 camry and searched the web for help. This seemed to be the best thread so I tried using a plastic polish (turtle wax, I believe) hoping for the best. It seemed to help a very small amount but the lenses were still very hazy and didn't give much light on dark nights. My brother even commented once saying it was dangerous!

So, I thought about the silverstars but then read about them causing yellowing inside the lenses from the extra heat and that they burned out quick. So, I did nothing for months. I ran across another page mentioning a method using extremely fine sandpaper which seemed promising but I wasn't sure where to get it so I gave up.

Finally, I ran across a car maintenance site that just happened to mention a commercial product called Crystal View. They sell it at places like walmart, kmart and advance auto now so even though its a bit overpriced at 20 bucks, I bought it when getting oil yesterday.

Basically it has you wet sand the lenses with 1000 grit, then one even finer than that maybe 2000 grit. Next you buff the lens with "secret liquid #1" which seems to be a liquid plastic polish of some kind - very slightly abrasive to finsih off the polishing. After thoroughly rinsing and drying you put on a coat of "secret liquid #2" which seems to be some kind of liquid plastic sealer - you just wipe across the lens to wet it and let it dry. It really seems to take the haze out that all the previous sanding left.

Anyway, when its all dry the results are amazing. They really do look like new and they have a lifetime warranty. I know this might look like some kind of ad being my first post and all. I've lurked a long time and just wanted to offer a solution for those a little lazy!

Here's their site if you're interested: www.myheadlight.com

If cheap, try searching for a method similar using ultra fine sandpaper. I can't remember where I found it but it probably is a little more specific on products used other than the sandpaper so you can replicate this method.

[Brian R.]

Thank you for the contribution. This is one time where resurrecting an old thread was for the better.