plastic headlight covers any ideas on how to clean them

[mrmiami123123]

1999 Dodge Neon has yellow stained headlights any ideas on how to clean them

['97ventureowner]

I'm not familiar with the Neon headlamp system so I don't know if you can remove the headlamp capsules from the vehicle. If you can you can try a mild soap solution poured into the empty capsule (light removed) and swish it around and rinse. Once it's dry you can re-install it.That sometimes works on vehicles where you can remove the headlights. I see this problem a lot on many different vehicles, GM , Ford, and Chrysler products It is caused by the sun's UV rays deteriorating the plastic and yellowing it. The problem gets worse as the vehicle gets older. You might have to replace the lenses or capsules. Sources for these are salvage yards, eBay and your local dealer. I'm beginning to think that these will eventually be considered "normal wear items" that will need replacing sometime in the vehicle's lifetime.

[denisond3]

The Neon headlamp assemblies can be removed, its not too hard.
You can use a polish such as 'Chrome Polish', which has a mild abrasive in it - and it will make a minor improvement. For best results I rub vigorously in one spot until the polish has dried on the lens & the rubbing pad. You might get another years use from doing this, but you are only cleaning the outer surface. The reflective surfaces inside lose their gloss, and the inside surface of the lens get dirty too.
Whether you are able to park the car in a shaded/covered/enclosed area will have an effect on how long they last before they yellow. When I got our replacements on ebay.com they cost under $50 each - do a search on ebay using the words 'headlamp' and 'Neon'. In our state (VA) they can fail the annual safety inspection from being yellowed; and you can get tickets for driving at night when they are bad enough.

On any car with plastic headlamp assemblies and plastic lenses or lens covers, I think you can figure on replacement after the headlamps are 6 to 10 years old.

[mrmiami123123]

Originally Posted by denisond3

The Neon headlamp assemblies can be removed, its not too hard.
You can use a polish such as 'Chrome Polish', which has a mild abrasive in it - and it will make a minor improvement. For best results I rub vigorously in one spot until the polish has dried on the lens & the rubbing pad. You might get another years use from doing this, but you are only cleaning the outer surface. The reflective surfaces inside lose their gloss, and the inside surface of the lens get dirty too.
Whether you are able to park the car in a shaded/covered/enclosed area will have an effect on how long they last before they yellow. When I got our replacements on ebay.com they cost under $50 each - do a search on ebay using the words 'headlamp' and 'Neon'. In our state (VA) they can fail the annual safety inspection from being yellowed; and you can get tickets for driving at night when they are bad enough.

On any car with plastic headlamp assemblies and plastic lenses or lens covers, I think you can figure on replacement after the headlamps are 6 to 10 years old.

Hey thanks for the heads up I think I will just purch a new set and thanks for the info

[cody_e]

Just a word of advice the passenger side headlight is very hard to get off. I have a '97 neon (same body as 99) and there's a bolt down in the middle of the front quarter panel that is really hard to get to.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by cody_e

Just a word of advice the passenger side headlight is very hard to get off. I have a '97 neon (same body as 99) and there's a bolt down in the middle of the front quarter panel that is really hard to get to.

Both lights are the same. Both have the bolt behind it that you need to get to. You can either lay on your back and go under the car to get to it, or use an extension to get to it from up top.

[das2123]

Oh, and here is a how-to...
http://www.myneonspeed.com/howto/how...ightpolish.htm

[Icanfixit]

Hey there is actually a kit sold by eastwood.com (search for headlight polish) for this very problem, the cheap way is to buff them out they will like new within no time. Heck of alot cheaper than buying new lights.

[bmwgolfguy]

That would be my advice also. Ditch the old and buy new ones.

[mopar or no car]

2000 grit sandpeper and some plastic polish, wet sand the housing till it isnt yellow anymore and then polish the heck out of it. they will look as good as new.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by mopar or no car

2000 grit sandpeper and some plastic polish, wet sand the housing till it isnt yellow anymore and then polish the heck out of it. they will look as good as new.

And then be ready to do once a year as well.

[mopar or no car]

Originally Posted by das2123

And then be ready to do once a year as well.

you have a better idea? even if you buy new lights you will have the same problem in a year.

cars require maintinance, and if you consider spending 30 mins every 12-24 monthes (or 5 mins to give them a once over with the polish to brighten them up a bit whenever you notice they aren't as shiney) to be too much effort, than you should go lease a civic so you dont have to spend 30 mins a year polishing headlights.

also, anyone who owns a neon needs to check out neons.org, best neon specific site on the net. any mod/repair you can think of, theres at least 3 or 4 posts that talk about it, and because the site is insanely active (questions about 95-99 neons are generaly answered in 30 mins or less) and there is very little bad info on the site, since the gurus usualy call people out pretty fast.

[denisond3]

I cant agree with 'mopar or no car'. If you buy new headlights, they will last several years; will get dim at about the same rate as the originals. They will last longer if you are able to park the car under a roof, away from direct sunlight. I have sometimes found nearly new headlamps in the junkyards that I frequent, but they get bought up fairly quickly. Including -me- buying spare ones.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by mopar or no car

you have a better idea? even if you buy new lights you will have the same problem in a year.

Buy these....


And be very very happy

[cali0105]

you can buy a lense restorer kit form autozone its bout 20 bucks.... it REALLY works.... ive purchased one and it made my headlights look brand new... ive had many questions like did u buy new headlights, they look new and good.... all you need is a cordless drill or an electric drill..... it has the rest of the things you need in the kit.....