Polish for plastic lights

"Mike Y" <joe RemoveThis @user.com> wrote in message
news:8NJPi.3$3d2.0@newsfe06.lga...
| I've seen the discussions on the 'polish' to use on things like
headlight
| lens when they yellow or become fogged.
|
| I thought the polish was available at Wal-Mart, but I looked yesterday
| and couldn't find anything.
|
| Any recommendations as to what to use?
|
| I have a 93 Intrepid with the headlights all milky, and a 95 GradPrix
| that has a 'light bar' that turned yellow and cloudy.
|
| Also... does the stuff work well with mechanical buffing or does it
| really work well with hand rubbing (for hours and hours and...)

A Yahoo search for "plastic headlight polishing" turned up over 200,000
hits. Here are a few of them:
http://www.automedia.com/Polishing/Plastic/Lenses/a/ccr20041101pp/2 for
a how to do it site.

http://www.janvil.com/ for a supplier.

http://www.properautocare.com/blbapllepoki.html
another supplier with instructions.

http://www.bestheadlightcleaner.com/ one more
supplier.

In addtion there are several forums listed. Hope this helps.

--
Anyolmouse


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 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

"Tim" <T&L RemoveThis @askme.net> wrote in message
news:zbqdnXPwLfcY8ZLanZ2dnUVZ_oesnZ2d@comcast.com...
> I purchased from Auto Zone a set of disk like things that attach to a
drill
> motor. Then you wet them and it says in 5 minutes you have clean clear
head
> lights. Tried it on the right side and after 3 attempts I see no
> improvement. They also had the polish stuff but I thought this would work
> better.
>
>
>
> "Mike Y" <joe RemoveThis @user.com> wrote in message
news:8NJPi.3$3d2.0@newsfe06.lga...
> > I've seen the discussions on the 'polish' to use on things like
headlight
> > lens when they yellow or become fogged.
> >
> > I thought the polish was available at Wal-Mart, but I looked yesterday
> > and couldn't find anything.
> >
> > Any recommendations as to what to use?
> >
> > I have a 93 Intrepid with the headlights all milky, and a 95 GradPrix
> > that has a 'light bar' that turned yellow and cloudy.
> >
> > Also... does the stuff work well with mechanical buffing or does it
> > really work well with hand rubbing (for hours and hours and...)
> >
> >

I have never found anything that would clean them for any amount of
time...seems once they are oxidized it "etches" into the plastic.
Get replacement glass lenses if available.
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

"Mike Y" <joe DeleteThis @user.com> wrote in message news:8NJPi.3$3d2.0@newsfe06.lga...
> I've seen the discussions on the 'polish' to use on things like headlight
> lens when they yellow or become fogged.
>
> I thought the polish was available at Wal-Mart, but I looked yesterday
> and couldn't find anything.
>
> Any recommendations as to what to use?
>
> I have a 93 Intrepid with the headlights all milky, and a 95 GradPrix
> that has a 'light bar' that turned yellow and cloudy.
>
> Also... does the stuff work well with mechanical buffing or does it
> really work well with hand rubbing (for hours and hours and...)
>

I do this all of the time when I paint cars. I just use a very mild rubbing
compound (swirl mark remover), which is available in any auto parts store.
You can apply it with a buffer, or by hand. If you do it by hand it will
probably take 10-15 minutes per headlight.

You'll have to do this again from time to time as the lens will continue to
scratch from driving, but it's such a simple thing to improve the look of
the lens that it's worth the effort.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE DeleteThis @alltel.net
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

Tim wrote:
> I purchased from Auto Zone a set of disk like things that attach to a drill
> motor. Then you wet them and it says in 5 minutes you have clean clear head
> lights. Tried it on the right side and after 3 attempts I see no
> improvement. They also had the polish stuff but I thought this would work
> better.
>
>
>
> "Mike Y" <joe.DeleteThis@user.com> wrote in message news:8NJPi.3$3d2.0@newsfe06.lga...
>> I've seen the discussions on the 'polish' to use on things like headlight
>> lens when they yellow or become fogged.
>>
>> I thought the polish was available at Wal-Mart, but I looked yesterday
>> and couldn't find anything.
>>
>> Any recommendations as to what to use?
>>
>> I have a 93 Intrepid with the headlights all milky, and a 95 GradPrix
>> that has a 'light bar' that turned yellow and cloudy.
>>
>> Also... does the stuff work well with mechanical buffing or does it
>> really work well with hand rubbing (for hours and hours and...)
>>
>>
>>

Try polishing compound OR buy the plastic kit that Novus sells. Either
one will work. Just be aware that using any high speed polishing machine
or drill can do more damage than good on a plastic lens.
http://www.novuspolish.com/

--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

Clouded lenses are a result of improper maintance, over the years. Go to a
motorcycle shop and buy some of the stuff they sell to clean windshields.

If they are too bad. use a very mild rubbing compound. After there are
cleared up, use a polymer like "Nu Finish," on occasion, to keep them clear
WBMS


mike



"Mike Y" <joe.RemoveThis@user.com> wrote in message news:8NJPi.3$3d2.0@newsfe06.lga...
> I've seen the discussions on the 'polish' to use on things like headlight
> lens when they yellow or become fogged.
>
> I thought the polish was available at Wal-Mart, but I looked yesterday
> and couldn't find anything.
>
> Any recommendations as to what to use?
>
> I have a 93 Intrepid with the headlights all milky, and a 95 GradPrix
> that has a 'light bar' that turned yellow and cloudy.
>
> Also... does the stuff work well with mechanical buffing or does it
> really work well with hand rubbing (for hours and hours and...)
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

On Oct 12, 6:29 am, "Mike Y" <j... RemoveThis @user.com> wrote:
> I've seen the discussions on the 'polish' to use on things like headlight
> lens when they yellow or become fogged.
>
> I thought the polish was available at Wal-Mart, but I looked yesterday
> and couldn't find anything.
>
> Any recommendations as to what to use?
>
> I have a 93 Intrepid with the headlights all milky, and a 95 GradPrix
> that has a 'light bar' that turned yellow and cloudy.
>
> Also... does the stuff work well with mechanical buffing or does it
> really work well with hand rubbing (for hours and hours and...)

There are several products out there. Most do good job of improving
lens clarity, but none that I have found are able to restore the lens
to *like new* condition. The latest one I used was able to remove most
of the yellowing, but did nothing for the deep scratches.

-KM
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

[snipped]

>
> "Mike Y" <joe.RemoveThis@user.com> wrote in message
news:8NJPi.3$3d2.0@newsfe06.lga...
> > I've seen the discussions on the 'polish' to use on things like
headlight
> > lens when they yellow or become fogged.
> >
> > I thought the polish was available at Wal-Mart, but I looked yesterday
> > and couldn't find anything.
> >
> > Any recommendations as to what to use?
[snipped]

What do you do for the grime and dirt that collects inside the lens
assembly?
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

<kmath50.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1192204227.312778.50090@i38g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 12, 6:29 am, "Mike Y" <j....DeleteThis@user.com> wrote:
>> I've seen the discussions on the 'polish' to use on things like headlight
>> lens when they yellow or become fogged.
>>
>> I thought the polish was available at Wal-Mart, but I looked yesterday
>> and couldn't find anything.
>>
>> Any recommendations as to what to use?
>>
>> I have a 93 Intrepid with the headlights all milky, and a 95 GradPrix
>> that has a 'light bar' that turned yellow and cloudy.
>>
>> Also... does the stuff work well with mechanical buffing or does it
>> really work well with hand rubbing (for hours and hours and...)
>
> There are several products out there. Most do good job of improving
> lens clarity, but none that I have found are able to restore the lens
> to *like new* condition. The latest one I used was able to remove most
> of the yellowing, but did nothing for the deep scratches.
>

Using a mild abrasive rubbing compound will make it look like new.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE.DeleteThis@alltel.net
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

"DodgeDriver" <wingnut.TakeThisOut@invalid.net> wrote in message
news:13gvf9lt79klf09@corp.supernews.com...

>
> What do you do for the grime and dirt that collects inside the lens
> assembly?
>
>

What are you driving that accumulates grime and dirt inside the lens?

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE.TakeThisOut@alltel.net
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

Mike Marlow wrote:
> "Mike Y" <joe DeleteThis @user.com> wrote in message news:8NJPi.3$3d2.0@newsfe06.lga...
>
>>I've seen the discussions on the 'polish' to use on things like headlight
>>lens when they yellow or become fogged.
>>
>>I thought the polish was available at Wal-Mart, but I looked yesterday
>>and couldn't find anything.
>>
>>Any recommendations as to what to use?
>>
>>I have a 93 Intrepid with the headlights all milky, and a 95 GradPrix
>>that has a 'light bar' that turned yellow and cloudy.
>>
>>Also... does the stuff work well with mechanical buffing or does it
>>really work well with hand rubbing (for hours and hours and...)
>>
>
>
> I do this all of the time when I paint cars. I just use a very mild rubbing
> compound (swirl mark remover), which is available in any auto parts store.
> You can apply it with a buffer, or by hand. If you do it by hand it will
> probably take 10-15 minutes per headlight.
>
> You'll have to do this again from time to time as the lens will continue to
> scratch from driving, but it's such a simple thing to improve the look of
> the lens that it's worth the effort.

Mike - When you're done polishing them out, clear coat them with regular
clear coat. They will not oxidize for about the same time as when they
were new to when they started clouding the first time (i.e., as long as
the clear coat holds up.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

M78Ultra wrote:

> I have never found anything that would clean them for any amount of
> time...seems once they are oxidized it "etches" into the plastic.
> Get replacement glass lenses if available.

Au contraire! If they're that bad, you use sandpaper starting with
maybe 800 or 1000 grit, then use successively finer grades and finish up
with 2000 or 2500. That will get them smooth as silk (they'll look
milky at that point), then polish them out with any car polish (or
Meguiar's PlastX works well) to water clear. They'll look brand new.
Will have to hit them with polish every few weeks or clear coat them for
longlasting new look.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

Mike Marlow wrote:

> <kmath50 RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1192204227.312778.50090@i38g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
>>On Oct 12, 6:29 am, "Mike Y" <j... RemoveThis @user.com> wrote:
>>
>>>I've seen the discussions on the 'polish' to use on things like headlight
>>>lens when they yellow or become fogged.
>>>
>>>I thought the polish was available at Wal-Mart, but I looked yesterday
>>>and couldn't find anything.
>>>
>>>Any recommendations as to what to use?
>>>
>>>I have a 93 Intrepid with the headlights all milky, and a 95 GradPrix
>>>that has a 'light bar' that turned yellow and cloudy.
>>>
>>>Also... does the stuff work well with mechanical buffing or does it
>>>really work well with hand rubbing (for hours and hours and...)
>>
>>There are several products out there. Most do good job of improving
>>lens clarity, but none that I have found are able to restore the lens
>>to *like new* condition. The latest one I used was able to remove most
>>of the yellowing, but did nothing for the deep scratches.
>>
>
>
> Using a mild abrasive rubbing compound will make it look like new.

Sandpaper (800 => 2000 or 2500) may be necessary if they have deeper
crazing. You're basically removing the original layer of clear coat
(yes they have a layer of clear coat from the factory) that has reacted
to the elements (O2, UV).

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights 

"Bill Putney" <bptn.TakeThisOut@kinez.net> wrote in message
news:5nbos0Fg41drU1@mid.individual.net...

>
> Mike - When you're done polishing them out, clear coat them with regular
> clear coat. They will not oxidize for about the same time as when they
> were new to when they started clouding the first time (i.e., as long as
> the clear coat holds up.
>

I never gave a thought to throwing a coat of clear over them Bill. I am
going to try that on the next one I do. A good coat of clear should last a
very long time.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE.TakeThisOut@alltel.net
 >> Stay informed about: Polish for plastic lights