Dull headlamp lenses

[exwindsurfer]

Bite the bullet and bought a new one 98 quid the right one was replaced a few years ago and made the left one look crap.

 

[gasgas]

Why not just make the damned things UV stable.

If you are as old as me you would remember that strangely clear stuff called glass that headlight lenses used to be made of. It didn't go hazy.
One of ten thousand reasons to get an old vehicle . . . . . . . .

 

[Fisherman]

Why not just make the damned things UV stable.

Polycarbonate simply is not uv stable, but much tougher than most plastics, and more uv stable than others.
Glass headlight covers were far more prone to shattering when struck with a stone whilst driving, I had to cover mine with headlight covers made from guess what, polycarbonate. Poly carbonate is lighter helping fuel efficiency, and can be moulded into much more complicated shapes to assist with drag coefficient further assisting with performance and fuel safety. It’s not all about saving money.

 

[wildebus]

Why not just make the damned things UV stable.

or move to Scotland.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

If you are as old as me you would remember that strangely clear stuff called glass that headlight lenses used to be made of. It didn't go hazy.
One of ten thousand reasons to get an old vehicle . . . . . . . .

I'm assuming that Glass was more difficult (=expensive and heavier) to form into modern shapes cheaper than plastic.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I bought the Rain X anyway, I sort of recall using it on our first couple of vans on the Seitz windows.

 

[Fazerloz]

If you are as old as me you would remember that strangely clear stuff called glass that headlight lenses used to be made of. It didn't go hazy.
One of ten thousand reasons to get an old vehicle . . . . . . . .

How much do you think it would cost to replace a modern shaped headlight in glass when a stone went through it.

 

[trevskoda]

Glass wass stopped being used for safety reasons, IE cutting presbiterians up.

 

[Cujimmy]

Mine are really bad, I'm surprised it passed it's MOT last week.

I've seen all kinds of snake oil on Amazon and eBay that more or less say just wipe it on, leave and wipe off, but has anyone head good results from it or even used a heat gun or hair dryer to bring them back to clear again like you can do with other plastics like bumpers and trim?

I actually used Jiff and it worked ok

 

[Cujimmy]

Mine are really bad, I'm surprised it passed it's MOT last week.

I've seen all kinds of snake oil on Amazon and eBay that more or less say just wipe it on, leave and wipe off, but has anyone head good results from it or even used a heat gun or hair dryer to bring them back to clear again like you can do with other plastics like bumpers and trim?

I used Jiff and it worked ok.

 

[Robmac]

I actually used Jiff and it worked ok

I've used Mr Muscle oven cleaner to remove various marks and stains on the van roof to good effect.

I might try that on a small patch on the lights at some point.

 

[Canalsman]

I've used Mr Muscle oven cleaner to remove various marks and stains on the van roof to good effect.

I might try that on a small patch on the lights at some point.

Jif works because it's abrasive.

I wouldn't use oven cleaner. It's a caustic product which is how it works.

 

[Robmac]

Jif works because it's abrasive.

I wouldn't use oven cleaner. It's a caustic product which is how it works.

Yes I know it is.

I've only used it very locally on small black stains which were seemingly impossible to remove from the van roof and it doesn't appear to have damaged the gelcoat. I'm willing to try it on a small area of the (car) headlights to see how it goes - my risk of course!

 

[wildebus]

The scrapyards have loads of headlights. And lots they remove are beyond redemption so could be worth having a word to see if they will chuck you a free one to experiment with.

 

[Robmac]

The scrapyards have loads of headlights. And lots they remove are beyond redemption so could be worth having a word to see if they will chuck you a free one to experiment with.

That's a good shout David.

A mate of mine who lives about half a mile away specialises in making Rally cars but has between 50 - 100 cars on his land which he scavenges parts from. I'm sure he would have a spare headlight or 2 I could nick. Some of them would be very frosty/yellow too!

 

[trevskoda]

Once you get them clear a coat of 2 pack clear sprayed over them will hold for years.

 

[Geek]

Why not just make the damned things UV stable.

They used to be made of glass. Lasted forever. Now they are plastic. Such is 'progress'.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

The sun came put so I had a go, but it started to rain hard so this is only 4 FOUR minutes work.

The 4 minutes included cleaning the lens, opening the tub and going to the tap to wet the cloth, and cleaning the lens with tissue afterwards so really only 2-3 minutes actually polishing it, no machines, no sanding etc.

 

[trevskoda]

The sun came put so I had a go, but it started to rain hard so this is only 4 FOUR minutes work.

The 4 minutes included cleaning the lens, opening the tub and going to the tap to wet the cloth, and cleaning the lens with tissue afterwards so really only 2-3 minutes actually polishing it, no machines, no sanding etc.

WE can clearly see the differance, thank you for sheeding some light on the subject, shine on big boy.

 

[Robmac]

I've just ordered this;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/T-Cut-Headlight-Polishing-Compound-150g/dp/B0C7HCRZVH/ref=asc_df_B0C7HCRZVH?mcid=64286fa6dd35373b8b220afcf559c9ce&th=1&hvocijid=9743827851974363001-B0C7HCRZVH-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9743827851974363001&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046204&hvtargid=pla-2281435177418&gad_source=1

At £4.50 it's got to be worth a try.