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Hazy headlights

04BlackMagic

By 04BlackMagic
in Ask A GM Technician

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Jsdirt Senior Enthusiast

Jsdirt

Posted
Posted

Yep - UV and plastic don't play well together. Every car across every brand does this ... at least ever since they all collectively cheaped out and went to plastic, instead of GLASS.

 

Get yourself some bug spray - something with at least 25% DEET in it. It's like magic - spray the headlights, and give 'em a wipe. Not a joke! You'll thank me later. :) 

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted

Once you get them cleared up (if they are saveable) throw some wax on there once or twice a year.  They will keep their shape much better. 

diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Jsdirt said:

Yep - UV and plastic don't play well together. Every car across every brand does this ... at least ever since they all collectively cheaped out and went to plastic, instead of GLASS.

 

Get yourself some bug spray - something with at least 25% DEET in it. It's like magic - spray the headlights, and give 'em a wipe. Not a joke! You'll thank me later. :) 

Not a good idea according to this.

 

This seems a good way.

 

I have done quite a few headlights with my buffer and rubbing compound.

Keep the light wet and not a lot of pressure to avoid to much heat.

Take your time.

If the lights are faded badly start with rubbing compound and no water for a more course first step.

Then go with the water for a second step.

 I also use a compund pad(more course) on my buffer for the first step, then a finish pad for the final step and use water.

 

:)

 

Jsdirt Senior Enthusiast

Jsdirt

Posted
Posted

Bug spray is so cheap - one can would probably last you 5 years doing just headlights with it. If it hazes up, just do it again - cheaper than buying new lights, especially for a beater you don't want to sink a ton of money into.

 

As for the paint damage, I suppose if you hose the headlight down and let it run and sit. Spray it on a rag, and wipe it on.

 

If you're doing this to your headlights, you don't give a crap about your paint anyway. :)

dsr611 Senior Enthusiast

dsr611

Posted
Posted

Hazy headlights are a common problem on all vehicles with plastic headlights

waumo1 Enthusiast

waumo1

Posted
Posted

I did my 1998 truck headlights with the 3M kit that uses different grits of sandpaper and then polish in a drill.  After the first sanding step they looked hopeless but by the time I was done they looked new.  Still looked good several years later when I sold it.

Jsdirt Senior Enthusiast

Jsdirt

Posted
Posted

Yeah, REPLACE the headlights, Loco!  :lol: 

 

I paid $20 for the Sylvania stuff a couple years ago to do the neighbor's '06 Impala. In 6 months they looked like crap again. A whole lot of work and money for nothing. Ended up just buying a chinese set off eBay for $100 for the set - had to do some wiring (wires too short, lol), but 2 years later they still look brand new. His sits facing the sun all day long, every day.

 

Bug spray is $5, and takes 30 seconds to do both lights. A no brainer to me ...

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Loco Diablo said:

Bug spray? Just go buy the correct stuff at the auto parts store. Do it right whether it’s a beater or not.


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The "right" way according to who?  Both methods can cause damage to the surrounding body if not performed with care.  The video gives the way to stop the deet from continuing to soften the lens, after it attempts to scare you off. 

 

If deet makes the lens so soft and sticky, does it pull any lint off the rag used, or any bits of paper towel? 

Jsdirt Senior Enthusiast

Jsdirt

Posted
Posted

I just used a paper towel - it slid right across the light, and made it look 100x better than it did. Nothing stuck.

 

I can't see any way of damaging finish in the rain like the vid suggested, unless you toss a 5 gallon bucket of the stuff all over the grille area ...  :lol:

Loco Diablo Enthusiast

Loco Diablo

Posted
Posted
The "right" way according to who?  Both methods can cause damage to the surrounding body if not performed with care.  The video gives the way to stop the deet from continuing to soften the lens, after it attempts to scare you off. 
 
If deet makes the lens so soft and sticky, does it pull any lint off the rag used, or any bits of paper towel? 

By right way, I mean buy a product meant for this. I bought a turtle wax headlight restorer kit for like $5 at Walmart.. 3 step process, worked great.


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