Headlight Lens Cleaning

[larrymjones]

We just got a new (to us) MH. Looking for suggestions on products y'all have successfully used to brighten/clean headlight lenses. Thank you!

[Grit_dog]

Rustycamperpants wrote:

eDUBz wrote:
Wet sand with 1500 and then polish with 3M compound. If you don't want to buy new lens take it to a body shop and have them clear coat the lenses. what ever you do it won't last a long time but will look good. Clear coating will be your cheapest option that will last the longest other than replacing them.

^ This X2, you need to remove the old clear coat that is on the lens with the wet paper going to finer grits as the old stuff is removed. I ended up with 2,000 wet paper. Tape off the area around the lens and use a rattle can of clear coat to finish it up. This will last a long time, I did my DW '03 Beemer two years ago and it still looks great.

Clearing them after polish is a good idea. Pretty sure there no clear on a lens to begin with though.
Wonder if 3 M clear bra would keep the shine on ? Easy to apply and durable.

[Rustycamperpant]

eDUBz wrote:
Wet sand with 1500 and then polish with 3M compound. If you don't want to buy new lens take it to a body shop and have them clear coat the lenses. what ever you do it won't last a long time but will look good. Clear coating will be your cheapest option that will last the longest other than replacing them.

^ This X2, you need to remove the old clear coat that is on the lens with the wet paper going to finer grits as the old stuff is removed. I ended up with 2,000 wet paper. Tape off the area around the lens and use a rattle can of clear coat to finish it up. This will last a long time, I did my DW '03 Beemer two years ago and it still looks great.

[eDUBz]

Wet sand with 1500 and then polish with 3M compound. If you don't want to buy new lens take it to a body shop and have them clear coat the lenses. what ever you do it won't last a long time but will look good. Clear coating will be your cheapest option that will last the longest other than replacing them.

[Fulltimers]

I used to use metal polish until I used it all up now I just use cleaner/wax.
Works great.

[fcooper]

Xflyhighx wrote:
I was in the car business for a while. My detail shop used to use bug spray with over 30 deat and it used to look good. Don't know how long it lasts, but the price is right. The deat does something to the plastic. I didn't believe it neither until I saw it done. He used a micro cloth to polish it.

Acetone on a clean rag will work also. Wipe in one direction only.

Fred

[JimBollman]

I tried a product made to clean lens, lots of elbow action for a few months of clear lenses. A friend told me to use 0000 steel wool then spray with clear coat. I'm into about 2 months on this fix so far and they still look good. A lot easier and cheaper if I need to do it again.

Deet idea even looks easier.

[Acampingwewillg]

"DEET" toweletts do work well BUT only apply in one direction or spray Deet of a clean towel and wipe in one direction. I was amazed on how well it works. Oh don't wipe it off...just let it dry.

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[filrupmark]

coolmom42 wrote:
Meguiars makes a very good kit for polishing headlights. It works with a power drill. Be sure to apply the UV protectant afterwards, or they will cloud up really fast again.

Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit

X3

[Xflyhighx]

I was in the car business for a while. My detail shop used to use bug spray with over 30 deat and it used to look good. Don't know how long it lasts, but the price is right. The deat does something to the plastic. I didn't believe it neither until I saw it done. He used a micro cloth to polish it.

[Mandalay_Parr]

I had my toad professionally done. It really looked great when they finished but only lasted a couple of months.
I checked on replacing them but $400 each so I passed on that. In my case I would have had to purchase the whole light assembly not just the lens.

The motor home needs it too but don't drive it at night much.

[IAMICHABOD]

I have to agree with coolmom42,it did a nice job for me.

[coolmom42]

Meguiars makes a very good kit for polishing headlights. It works with a power drill. Be sure to apply the UV protectant afterwards, or they will cloud up really fast again.

Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit