5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Tired of sanding down ugly yellow headlights!!

Old Feb 8, 2011 | 11:37 AM
  #1  
zzmmrx0xmzz's Avatar
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Tired of sanding down ugly yellow headlights!!

My headlights look so nasty in the sunlight with all that foggy yellowness! I've tried 3M headlight restorer and used a buffer to polish with the compound but it comes back after a few weeks/months. Eventually i'm gonna run out of headlight to sand!

Do you guys know of any company or any way to buy the headlight lenses by itself without the whole assembly? Would be a lot cheaper than the $300 per headlight price online. I don't dig those eBay halo headlights either cause i personally dont like the way they look

Unless someone has tried buying those cheap headlights and swapping lenses with the OEM headlight. Does anyone know if the eBay lights are the same fitment/size as the OEM?

Last edited by zzmmrx0xmzz; Feb 8, 2011 at 11:39 AM.
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 11:55 AM
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as far as ebay headlights...i think they have the fitment of 00-01 headlights. as far as sanding...do you do any maintenance to it over the years...and whats your process of what you're doing?
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 12:04 PM
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i have the same problem with my headlights as well..the only thing you can do is open it up and clean them and restore them from the inside out..thats what i am going to do..eventually. But i am too scared to bake them and pry them open idc enough to ruin the headlight over a little fog and condensation. Its a result of the headlight not being properly sealed..i would just buy another oem headlight NEW this time or find a used one but slightly used..thats you're best bet.
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 12:05 PM
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as far as you, since you ahve a 5th gen...all i used on mine was rubbing compound and a coat of wax...and i havent touched mine since, period.
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 12:16 PM
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Once you sand them down just clear coat em. I think that'll work.
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 12:34 PM
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I bought this LightRite that I found in this thread, but haven't had a chance to use it yet.

http://forums.maxima.org/7808219-post33.html

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-included.html
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 12:43 PM
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If you've used all those and they're still yellowing then your problem is probably on the inside of the headlight. Bake them open and work from in there. Then seal them back up real good because you probably have a crack in the seal somewhere that's allowing condensation to build up on the inside.

While you're at it, paint your housings and clear your turn signals. It'll make the effort of opening them up worthwhile.
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 12:45 PM
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lol um dude...why is your car on a snowy hill with cops behind you?
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 01:08 PM
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just sand them down with 600 grit sand paper and take it to ur local bodyshop and have the, clear coat them......ive done for years and never had one turn yellow on me
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by phatboislim
lol um dude...why is your car on a snowy hill with cops behind you?


Take a look at this thread, it explains everything:

Another 5th gen down...

I thought the pic actually looked kinda badass when I cropped it down like that so I decided to sig it.
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 06:15 PM
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sand, polish, then clear acrylic spray
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 07:14 PM
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I bought a set locally and purchased a headlight cleaner that actually worked. This stuff smells strong and probably has something similar to PVC primer as an ingredient. I've only had to clean mine one tiime.
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 07:33 PM
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I guess i'll bake them and try cleaning them from the inside. Yeah it probably is condensation since i did a poor job sealing them.
As for swapping lenses from the $100-$200 ebay headlights has anyone tried?
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 07:47 PM
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After sanding and polishing your headlights, Apply some 3M clear bra to them to protect against future chipping, and fading. I've done this with all my cars, and to many many of my customers cars as well. When it's done, you can't even tell it's there. There's nothing better. Any tint shop that does that clear bra should be able to apply it for you, or sell you enough to get the job done. Here's my 5.5 right after I cleaned them up, and applied the film:



Old Feb 8, 2011 | 08:51 PM
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^^^^^^^
this is good
Old Feb 8, 2011 | 09:31 PM
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if its the yellow **** on the outside, use the turtle wax headlight restore kit. it worked for my 00 sentra. couldnt even see through them and i cleaned it to almost a brand new finish. no sanding required, just alot of pressure and a nice microfiber towel

you will see layers of the yellow coming off on the towel...if you are not using a yellow towel of course
Old Feb 9, 2011 | 12:40 AM
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Clean, wet sand with 1000 grit, polish, and apply Lamin-X will be my route.....I've cleaned them really good b4 and within a few months it's looking a little hazy again! Never heard the name ClearBra but it's probably all the same....I did a laminate protective film on my fogs 7 years ago and they still look brand new!!!!!!
Old Feb 9, 2011 | 04:22 AM
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Originally Posted by TLMNICK
After sanding and polishing your headlights, Apply some 3M clear bra to them to protect against future chipping, and fading. I've done this with all my cars, and to many many of my customers cars as well. When it's done, you can't even tell it's there. There's nothing better. Any tint shop that does that clear bra should be able to apply it for you, or sell you enough to get the job done. Here's my 5.5 right after I cleaned them up, and applied the film:



thats bada$$
Old Feb 9, 2011 | 06:03 AM
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Originally Posted by TLMNICK
After sanding and polishing your headlights, Apply some 3M clear bra to them to protect against future chipping, and fading. I've done this with all my cars, and to many many of my customers cars as well.

Where do you buy your supply from? Do you have an internet link available?

Last edited by maximus nismo; Feb 9, 2011 at 06:43 AM.
Old Feb 9, 2011 | 02:34 PM
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Someone mentioned using Brasso metal polish quite some time ago. I tried it on my old Monte about 5 months ago and they're still nice and clear.
Old Feb 9, 2011 | 03:39 PM
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I work for a distributor that deals with a lot of automotive reconditioning products. I use a surface protector sealant on my headlights after almost every wash. My car is 11 years young and headlights appear brand new.

Here is a link to one of our distributors, you can possibly get it from them, or PM me and I could help you out.
Very good stuff.

Scroll down to "TEC 595 Super Blue Surface Protector"
http://downloads.ecpinc.net/pdf/Cata...t_Finishng.pdf
Old Feb 9, 2011 | 08:00 PM
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BlueMagic is the name of the product I have used and its CHEAP!!! it's been on sale at our local dollar general and at VatoZones for $4.99
Old Feb 9, 2011 | 08:24 PM
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There's also a kit that has a cloth ball type item you put into a drill and that'll cut down on the sanding time. Follow up with Plastic X to polish and after you can always hand apply some regular old wax to seal the plastic. Or just go the film route once done with the sanding/polishing.
Old Feb 9, 2011 | 08:25 PM
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3M Headlight Lens Restoration System FTW.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Headlight-L.../dp/B001AIZ5HY
Old Feb 9, 2011 | 08:40 PM
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zzmmrx0xmzz's Avatar
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Originally Posted by TLMNICK
After sanding and polishing your headlights, Apply some 3M clear bra to them to protect against future chipping, and fading. I've done this with all my cars, and to many many of my customers cars as well. When it's done, you can't even tell it's there. There's nothing better. Any tint shop that does that clear bra should be able to apply it for you, or sell you enough to get the job done. Here's my 5.5 right after I cleaned them up, and applied the film:






WOW! that looks amazingly clear! Never knew a clearbra would prevent it from further fading cause i thought it was also caused by the sun. i'l try it soon!
Old Feb 9, 2011 | 11:14 PM
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I never said anything about sanding. 3 minutes each headlight. One time. Done.
Old Feb 10, 2011 | 06:59 PM
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Instead of buying new headlights try Meguiars Plastix, it works really well on mine and takes only a few minutes. The headlights look brand new after I use it.
Old Feb 10, 2011 | 07:17 PM
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Check out LightRite................
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXc6V9PyRak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6H-n...eature=related

Last edited by CMax03; Feb 10, 2011 at 07:25 PM.
Old Feb 10, 2011 | 09:04 PM
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I got a new set on ebay for 100.00$
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

and fogs for 80$




Last edited by Ray Torres; Feb 10, 2011 at 09:07 PM.
Old Feb 11, 2011 | 04:59 AM
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Have a body shop apply clear coat to the headlights. Problem fixed forever.
Old Feb 11, 2011 | 05:17 AM
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i've heard negative things about clear coat as that could/can/does yellow too..i like the 3M clear bra idea though...@ ray...those 5th gen lights are way cheaper than those 5.5...
Old Feb 11, 2011 | 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by TLMNICK
After sanding and polishing your headlights, Apply some 3M clear bra to them to protect against future chipping, and fading. I've done this with all my cars, and to many many of my customers cars as well. When it's done, you can't even tell it's there. There's nothing better. Any tint shop that does that clear bra should be able to apply it for you, or sell you enough to get the job done. Here's my 5.5 right after I cleaned them up, and applied the film:



i agree 100% I had done the same after 5 polishes. Good for 1 yr now!
Old Feb 11, 2011 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by phatboislim
i've heard negative things about clear coat as that could/can/does yellow too..i like the 3M clear bra idea though...@ ray...those 5th gen lights are way cheaper than those 5.5...
Never had that issue happen. The body shop that I work at does this as a part of their headlight restore package they offer. We use PPG automotive clear coat.
Old Feb 11, 2011 | 02:43 PM
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The turtle wax headlight restore kit is probably the best stuff on the market that actually works and its cheaper then most of the other ones
Old Feb 11, 2011 | 08:43 PM
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The headlights can be restored using any method you like, but the ONLY way to keep them from fading again is to apply the 3M clear film. The reason the light won't fade after the application of that stuff is because now you've successfully put a physical barrier between the light, and the outside elements. The UV won't hurt it, and neither will the stones and road debris. I also applied it to my glass fogs. They were new, and I wanted to protect them from chipping. It's better that way becuase IF they get hit by a big rock, and it cracks them...the clear-bra will prevent water from getting in, and then I won't have to buy new ones lol. I suppose I can handle a crack in the fog....but I can't live with one full of water, and rust, etc.

Applying clear coat to the headlight is no good IMO. It might look OK at best, but it'll still get chipped and pitted. Plus it won't look as optically clear.

I buy my clear-bra by the role, because I also apply it to the freshly painted front ends.
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