Evening everybody.

Any good advice as to how I can keep my presently clear and sparkling plastic headlamp lenses free of the usual yellowing, clouding, and hazing? I know how to treat it once it begins, but is there anything I can do to stop the weathering and decay before it starts?

I saw an '06 Impala SS today with 55K miles and a hideous case of headlamp jaundice, and I don't want that to happen to my '07 MC.

You know the saying about an ounce of prevention. Just trying to practice that.

-M

 

Just treat it at the first sign really, dont let it become that bad.

 

my only advice when you wash and wax your mc wax the head lights as well my dads 94 couger still has its original head lights and he told me it and showed me because i didnt believe him. it is a type of oxidation on the lights also the tail lights suffer as well. after you wax every thing youll notice how bright the lights are at night. i do the same thing on my 98-99 silverado. the reson why i said it is a 98-99 its the last of the 98 and sold as a 99 irony huh

 

carnuba wax not the "cleaner wax" as they have a very small amount of abrasive in them.

 

sorry your right it helps prevent the oxidation on the plastic

 

I wanted to maybe try some of the 3M stuff that was posted here before, anyone ever try anything like this??

http://www.invisiblemask.com/site.html

 

oh if the lighs are really bad with oxidation the cleaner wax with the power ball atachment for the drill helps if they are reall bad then use the regular wax and remove it by hand

 

You can buy some yellowing remover, and it helps, but it doesn't really bring back the original luster. I think Rain-X makes the stuff and you can buy it at Auto Zone. My dad once suggested using some 400 grit sand paper and then buffing them out. I always wax mine and so did the previous owner and my 03 has nice, clear headlights!

 

If your headlamps arent already oxidized, take them to a body shop and have them scuff them and spray 2 coats of clear coat on each lamp. It will add extra protection from your lenses oxidizing. All you need to do is wax your lamps when you wax your car and the clearcoat will keep them shiny and clear.

Once your lenses start oxidizing, sanding and buffing them may bring back the shine, but nothing will keep the oxidation from coming back. The headlamps actually come with a type of clearcoat on them from the factory, and when that wears off over time, they begin to oxidize. The only way to stop the oxidation once it starts is to sand it all off down to clean plastic and reclear the lenses.

 

I use Mothers chrome polish applied with a very damp cotton cloth ( T-shirt) using a back and forth motion not circular, then buff it out with a 4" high speed buffer. Works with tail lights also and instrument cluster covers. Been doing this a long time. Careful not to use to much pressure with the buffer pad. Buy a 12" x 12" piece of clear plastic at home depot or lowes, rough up the surface a little with steel wool and practice buffing.