Getting rid of Headlight Fog

djstang46 · 03-01-2003

I'm sure this topic has come up before but searching didn't turn up anything. Whats good to use to get rid of that yellow crap that builds up on the headlights? I'm going to replace them down the road with diamond clears to match my corner lenses (which I got for free woo) but, whats a good way to polish them up for the time being? I've heard somone say metal polish before, any other suggestions?

Twister · 03-01-2003

mag wheel polish works well, but the best way to advoid it, park the car out of the sun

djstang46 · 03-01-2003

Is that what actually causes it? Sun exposure?

I don't think the last owner ever had it indoors, the bumper looks a little faded when its under indoor lighting but outside it looks ok.

Twister · 03-01-2003

I have a therory that it is sun exposure, since my mom's garaged 93 GT has perfect lights

Emery · 03-01-2003

I read a article in 5.0 or MM&FF that covered this subjet. They did a wetsand job with like 450 or 600 grit paper to remove the top layer that has oxidized and created a hazy headlight.

Anyone else seen this technique?

maxxxxd · 03-02-2003

Meguiars makes a plastic cleaner and polish that works wonders. Don't go sanding your headlights unless you are a professional and have done it before. The cloudiness usually comes from all the deposits on water and the sunlight dries it faster and starts the nasty chain of events... Keep wax on them to resist calcium and deposit buildup and they'll be fine. I used the Meguiar's cleaner and polish on mine before I got some APC ion projector headlights and they looked good as new (or at least as good as they could with 200,000 miles of road boucing off them. I used to have clear headlight covers to increase their life, which worked...

Emery · 03-02-2003

I wouldnt condone sanding without doing more research.....That was the reason for my post to see if anyone else had heard of this.....I dont try just anything unless I have all the info and maybe try it on a junk part first.

SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION

JUSTNLX · 03-02-2003

I read the article and is perfectly acceptable thing to do. Just know what you’re doing or get someone who does.

For me, and the time involved, I just bought the 6-piece set from Texas Mustangs. It doesn't cost that much.

djstang46 · 03-03-2003

I tried some of this metal polishing stuff I had around, it helped some. Its kinda a cotton gauze soaked in some sort of WD40 like stuff and has a little bit of metal grit in it. It took the yellow off pretty well, the lenses look 2X better than before, but still not as clear as I'd like. It seemed like something with a more agressive grit would have worked a little better. Oh well, for the time being, it'll work, until I get my Cobra Headlights.

Gotta digi cam, might as well use it.

djstang46 · 03-03-2003

Before:

djstang46 · 03-03-2003

After:

JUSTNLX · 03-03-2003

That looks much better.

I have used rubbing compound, then polishing compound, and finished off with a good cleaner wax before. It did the job, but was alot of work.

GTRaptor · 03-03-2003

Wet sand with 1200 grit , then polish with WURZ or Meguiars plastic polish

Emery · 03-03-2003

I dug up the article....Mustang 5.0, June 1999, page 75.

**Mask off your paintjob
**600 grit sand (wet or dry) for 5-10 minutes per light
**1200 grit followup same as above
**Buff with Eastwood Autosol....dont concentrate in 1 aera or you will burn the surface of the HL. Apply polish with rag then follow with buffer

And if you screw it up....you were going to have to buy new ones anyway. Just remember that and take your time and be patient. Or you can drive to my house and Ill charge you for it if you are scared. I make $20 an hour at work so if you want me to work at home be prepared to pay me OT.