Headlight Lenses

[Ulsterman]

I have a 98 Windstar 3.8, 90k miles, and the headlamp lenses are cloudy as if an original laquer has faded or the plastic has suffered from too much sunlight.
I was wondering if anyone else has found this problem and had any success with abrasive or chemical solutions or are replacement lenses required?

[97TaurusGuy]

It's funny you should list this problem because i just fixed mine yesterday. i had the same problem, headlights were cloudy even a little yellow. Here's how I cheaply fixed them:
1. Wet sanded them with 1000 grit sandpaper. You will see the yellow and dirt just roll right off.
2. Go over them with 2000 grit sandpaper.
3. Clean them up and go over them with some rubbing compound on a wax pad. if they are still a little cloudy go over them again with some polishing compound.

I had mine done in less than a half hour and they look great. As you start sanding you will see the built on gunk come off. I didnt have to use much force. It seems to have worked great. I realy notice a difference at night!!

[PumpItUp]

Originally Posted by Ulsterman

I have a 98 Windstar 3.8, 90k miles, and the headlamp lenses are cloudy as if an original laquer has faded or the plastic has suffered from too much sunlight.
I was wondering if anyone else has found this problem and had any success with abrasive or chemical solutions or are replacement lenses required?

This was an older thread but I was interested in finding out about cleaning up my front headlight and marker lens on the 96' Winnie as well! They were cloudy and had fine scratches from stone chips and from me rubbing snow on them in the winter to clean off.. dohhh.. I did find in a Google search that said "Meguiars" Plastx /Clear plastic cleaner and polish would work well. I live in Cda. and found some for about $10.00 at Canadian Tire stores and kudos to the folks at Meguiar's because OMG it worked great!! I 've now used it on my boats plastic side windows and even on solar outdoor lights with the clear plastic domes which in about 1 year became hazy and wouldn't let enough light thru to charge the batteries for normal use! Simple as rubbing on with a clean terry cloth applicator and buffing off .. and took me all of about 5 minutes.. I had both looking like new and it takes away light oxidation/stains and contaminants,fine scratches and restored the clarity to clear plastic lenses remarkably well.. Just thought anyone interested may want to give it a try. It saves going and buying a new lense at about $15 at a wrecker or about $85 from Ford!